A while back the Armed Forces Exchange Services (their shopping venues) opened up the ability for any person who was Honorably Discharged from any branch to shop at their online exchange.  This is regardless of how much time the beneficiary served – years, months or even days – as long as they had been awarded a honorable discharge.

It used to be allowed for only Active Duty members, military Retirees or Disabled Veterans but that has changed.

This is a huge benefit because the Exchange system is mandated by law to sell their wares at Cost + 5% overhead pricing.  Plus there is no tax levied on purchases no matter how big the sale is.  That right there saves a ton of money on large buys.

Here is the website with the detailed information:

https://www.shopmyexchange.com/veterans

I hope readers share this info with anyone you know who served honorably no matter what the age. It is a fantastic benefit to have – but note it applies only to online shopping, not the brick and mortar Exchanges on the military bases.

I’m posting this because in my work with veterans I have found almost no one knows about this even though it was put into place back in 2017.  Here is a letter explaining this.

Thanks guys and HTP!

Reed

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

291 thoughts on “POV PSA: Great Veterans Shopping Benefits”

  1. Reed — Thank you. I passed this on to a cousin who was in the Marines in Vietnam.

    Appreciate your work for Veterans. 👍

    Like

  2. Reed – thanks for your dedication to assisting veterans. I plan to pass this on to my nephew and his wife along with my father-in-law.

    I just heard today on the news that a 3rd alligator in less than a month was found in Pittsburgh. Does that have anything to do with Pitt FB recruiting? Where is the marketing team? – this needs a creative touch.

    Like

  3. When is Pitt’s football camp? Once again, the recruiting is off to a slow start

    Like

  6. Pitt held a prospect camp the past few days … mostly younger guys (including Torrie Cox Jr ) The next 2 weeks Pitt will be hosting their targeted invitees, We should be seeing commits as early as next Monday … unless they hold back to two weeks from now and then announce a dozen commits or so in a 2 or 3 day period (I believe they did something like that last year)

    Like

    1. PITT will have over 30 players on official visits next weekend and no, not all 2* players, there will be plenty 3 and 4* players. Calm down Tx, you’re trying too hard.

      Like

  14. Reed appreciate you helping the troops..:!wish someone would step up and help
    We he widows of veterans who only receive social security… lotsa people who worked their whole lives and sacrificed for this country who receive little to no help… take care of our own… and stop importing more!!!

    Liked by 4 people

  15. Great info Reed. I will pass on to my Dad who served in the Army.

    Also I posted a timely post about AJ Beatty, so the gang can complain on a different thread, but I made this one sticky so everybody who comes onto Pitt POV will see this first. I’ll keep it there all week.

    H2P and Support Our Veterans (and Troops)

    MM

    Like

  16. Thank you Reed for your commitment to Vets. You know who I’ll be passing this onto. He’s just getting out of jail for his 3rd DWI. I hope he’ll finally be open to taking something from the VA.
    Spoke to his psychologist about using medical marijuana. She’s all in.. Thanks again. Looking for a few rays of light in a dark cavern. Bless you for your work.

    Like

  18. I tweeted a link to this article and posted on FB. Have a number of friends who are Vets that will appreciate this. Thanks for posting, Reed.

    Like

  19. I have an older brother who was drafted to Vietnam at the ripe old age of 18. I can’t lead him to the help he needs. It’s frustrating as hell. Of course we weren’t raised in the same household and I’m sure our Mother dying and leaving him at the age of 10 doesn’t help the matter all that much. He’s doing ok but I can only get so much information from him. He talked to me one time for 10 straight hours, truthfully, after our biological Father was killed in a tragic work accident about his time in Vietnam. Actually it was more about no one would write him while he was in the service and how his Father paraded him around town telling everyone how proud he was of his son. The Father that never sent as much as a little note while he served.

    This is real life but he wouldn’t even respond to me if I sent him this information. Sadly, it would drive us further apart. BUT! Thanks Reed for your kind heart, it will surely help lots of other veterans I’m sure.

    Like

  20. Dan and others…there are so many VA and other agency benefits available its hard to start but to address Dan’s question.

    Veteran’s widows do qualify for financial benefits if they meet certain criteria (usually based on age and financial status). Here is just one:

    https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates/

    All those benefits are covered under Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations.

    I’ll do some real digging and put together an article we can send to those we feel can use it.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Please excuse me for this but this article brings back so much emotion in me. Like the song that strokes Reeds emotional strings (The Weight) this one here (Motherless Children) always brings to tears to my eyes. Not for me but for all my siblings who have struggled through their lives.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Ike, Pitt hosts lots of official visits each year but can’t grab the blue chip kids hardly at all – one per class over the last two seasons.

    https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/visits/football/2019

    https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/visits/football/2018

    Narduzzi’s problem is that he offers tons of 4* and 5* kids but can’t convince them to take official visits. I looked up the numbers of blue chip kids we offered over the last two classes and it was well over 100 combined. Yet we had only four actually take official visits and signed only two to LOIs.

    That’s very poor considering how well his predecessors did at this. Hell, even Beezelbub Graham had eight 4* kids take official visits and four 4* guys committed.

    I truly believe this lack of overall quality and just his zero furure star recruits has really hurt Narduzzi over the last two years and will continue to do so. As I’ve written before 3* kids will get you 3* results…and the last two seasons , even with the coastal, haven’t even been .500 ball.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I’m not going to debate that Reed. I’m totally on record as saying that this is the year, without any hesitations, that King Pat has to show us all what and who he has recruited. I believe PITT will have a good season but I’ll wait until we get closer. I think a little more highly of his recruiting than some but we shall see. He’ll get No Quarter from me.

    Like

  24. I’ve said this before… This is the recruiting class that will make or break Narduzzi. He has to know this. Four years of these kids will take him outside of his current contract extension, and by then it will be clear whether this 2020 class is boom or bust. If he bets the house on 2* recruits he could come up snake eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. BTW, I understand there could be close to 40 players on an official visit this coming weekend alone. I don’t know names, Dayon Hayes is the areas best recruit this year. I think PITT gets him.

    Like

  26. of the 4-stars who committed t Graham, I assume you are referring to Bisnowaty, Shell, Voytik and Mosley-Smith. Note that 3 of them are local.

    I don’t think there were a total of 4 local 4-stars in the WPIAL the past 2 years.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. about 3 every year over the past 4 years
      wpial is a bit down
      all the more reason to hit other PA areas harder like Erie

      Like

      1. NO, NO, NO. I keep telling you guys of PG’s Mike White’s articles telling everyone of just how the WPIAL has diminished over just the past few years. Once again, of over 125 schools, there were only 15 D1 commits and one 4-star this past season in the WPIAL/City this past season. This has been a trend for a few years now.

        Now, this next year seems to be an upgrade …. but the overall trend of the past few years is not promising

        Like

        1. It’s been three blue chips in wpa each year since 2016 based on rivals.

          Not sure if it was much higher under wanny

          And even if it was higher, narduzzi has had four years to adjust

          Go to Erie and epa to find them

          The level of blue chips in the entire state has been pretty consistent over the past 15 years. It hovers around nine.

          If the numbers of three stars are down, then recruit more from neighboring states. In my day, Pitt got good recruits from jersey.

          Like

          1. There was one blue chip in WPIal this past year … and I believe only 2 or 3 the year before. That was it!

            Like

            1. I did a quick look at Rivals. Always been at least two if not three 4 stars. If PA has had around 9 every year for the past 15, then WPA has gotten around 4-5. So WPA is down somewhat. Hence, Narduzzi needs to adjust. And he has by going out of state. But its not like he’s getting elites from out of state. Thats a problem. Yes – maybe easier to get elites that are from WPA but not always the case. Narduzzi just doesnt know how to sell and close. He recruited very little at Michigan State. It shows. So get some guys who can and then have a closing pitch. Sales is not that difficult. Pitt has much to sell but maybe elites are onto his BS. Who knows.

              Like

  27. Also not that three of them did not finish their careers at PITT. Four stars are not a magic potion.

    Like

    1. Plus Mosley-Smith got into trouble and somehow didn’t get kicked off the team but the tight end from St-Rox and Eric Williams did. I still believe Chryst kept Smith due to him being heavy and other two being skinny.

      None of the kids tested for drugs and Williams was a terrific student. Chryst’s way of dealing with discipline was peculiar to say the least. He wanted the Akron QB, Chapman, to still be enrolled despite the kid beating up his girlfriend but the school said no.

      Like

    2. at least I dont see any 2 stars
      But I only see three 4 stars
      Someone please tell me how Pitt is going to get consistently ranked come years end if Narduzzi’s recruiting doesnt improve?
      I want to know and not just what you think.

      Like

      1. Pitt will get ranked the same way Syracuse got ranked last season playing with 3 stars and below. You need a couple of 3 stars playing like 4 and 5 stars and combine that with a weak out of conference schedule and Walla! you have a top 20 ranking.

        Like

        1. Not sure what 3 stars will play like 5 stars
          Cuse had a very experienced albeit hungover QB
          Cuse was nearly tops in the nation in creating TO’s
          Cuse did have a very weak OOC. Pitt still has to play PSU and CFU
          I dont see Pitt winning 10 games
          Cuse had the Genie bottle last year

          Like

  29. OT: Opening line Virginia minus 2 versus Pitt. PS Thanks Reed for the valuable information you provide for our Vets.

    Like

  33. Virginia is a 2 point fav against Pitt
    Tells me there is no home field advantage for Pitt
    And Pitt’s Coastal title meant very little

    Like

      1. its still a slap in the face to be a two point dog at home.

        if anything it should be even and with a real home field, Pitt should automatically get the 3 points.

        Like

  35. This Virginia game will make or break Pitt’s season. Yes – thats overly dramatic. But.

    If Pitt wins, they are in the drivers seat.

    If Pitt loses, it will make winning the Coastal difficult but not insurmountable but Pitt is in the back seat.

    Positioning can and will change throughout the year but Pitt could sure use pole position to start.

    Getting off to a good start is critical for success.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Boy oh boy, I can just hear the shouts when PITT gets 8 commitments after this weekend. It won’t be good as if the shouters know anything about the recruits one iota. But they will still bitch.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. It won’t matter MM. 3‘s are equally as terrible around these parts. PITT needs 4 players like Shell, Flowers, Pugh, etc, etc…. You can’t win without them……. oh wait a second…. PITT did.

    Like

    1. We won what?? 7-7 and won the PSAC Coastal. Come on Ike. You are a mans man and you have to know the Coastal was garbage last year. You can admit that I hope.

      Like

          1. I graduated from HS and then went to Pitt. I still have friends there but my family has since moved.

            Like

      2. Mark, of course I would agree that the Coastal was a gift last year as it was weak. (cost PITT the extra loss) Miami wasn’t as bad as their record though and was the perfect storm game against PITT. PITT had wrapped up the division and Miami’s defense was best suited against a one dimensional offense like Watson was running. Never the less, PITT was the best of the bad and plus they beat a top 20 team in Syracuse that everyone likes to point out until I remind them that PITT beat them.

        I’ll see how Narduzzi does this year, no more excuses for him. If he doesn’t put out a quality team on the field this year I’ll be the first to admit his time is close to coming to an end. Even though I don’t believe it would be. He ain’t a going nowhere any time soon. << Bob Dylan paraphrase.

        I have to ask though and not necessarily you Mark but why every time PITT does something good it’s because the other teams were bad? PITT wins and the other teams QB had a hangover and such. That’s growing old with me.

        Like

  38. Thanks Reed. I just created an account. Sent it to my parents to. My brother is retired military so he already had this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. As far as landing recruits. Narduzzi invited 250 kids. Of course he will get kids. A village idiot can when handing out 250k scholarships. The problem is the lack of talent and 2-3 star projects. He is an atrocious recruiter. That was proved forever ago.

      Liked by 2 people

  39. many Pitt fans live in denile and thats not a river
    i expect narduzzi to land 6 middling 3 stars after these camps
    maybe some will make an impact after 5 years
    in the meantime, they will ride the pine and get a free ride
    but they will take real classes, get good GPA’s, do community service projects and graduate
    and yet this new State College guy that Heather just hired is going to call me and ask me to give money to support this
    and what concerns me is that many Pitt fans will see nothing wrong
    i should have gone to Michigan…I was the only Pitt frosh to wear a Michigan hat…loved the Fab 5
    seriously I wore a Michigan hat my entire freshman year

    Liked by 1 person

    1. i wore it so much and it went through so many escapades that I had to throw it out. never did get another one.

      had a Pitt hat that was like my Indiana Jones hat. Many good stories. But eventually I had to throw that one away as well…cotton doesnt hold up well to fire and vomit.

      i now own 3 Pitt hats. 1 in the block letters, another in the old color script and yes 1 in the dino cat. I need to burn that one.

      Like

      1. That would be akin to Nazi book-burning. Donate it to Goodwill. It could eventually end up in a remote African village.

        Like

    1. Boy that one on one meeting you had with Narduzzi dan must have made a very favorable impression on you of Narduzzi. I’m guessing if Pitt won the Nation Championship you would still want Narduzzi fired. You and a few other posting to the POV would still join the fire Narduzzi chorus.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Virginia has only combined for 27 points versus Pitt the past two seasons and the Cavs are going to explode for 35 on the road versus an experienced defense?

      Like

    1. if nothing else, UVa will likely get to 8 wins again …. OOC: Bill & Mary, Old Dominion, Liberty & ND.
      Last year’s OOC: Richmond, Indiana, Ohio, Liberty

      Nonetheless, from reading SB Nation’s analysis, I can see why UVa would be favored

      Like

      1. VA plays that weak OCC and some Pitt fans glamorize the Cavs as this program Pitt should strive to be.

        What a joke. If Nards had that OCC since his arrival what would his record be? Instead, Pitt fans think Bronco is the second coming of Bill Walsh.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. in fairness, Bronco had an impressive stint at BYU (99-43) and the UVa program has improved since he arrived. But your point is well-taken ,,,, he hasn’t beaten Pitt yet. In 2017, UVa makes a bowl game despite losing to Pitt by 14, and this past year, they got to 8 wins

          Like

  44. When it comes down to it, the thing that really matters is August 31.

    This game could be one of those “Program Changers”… one way or another.

    Like

  45. Virginia’s recruiting is on the rise
    They have a solid D and experienced QB
    Reminds me of Cuse from last year

    Should be a close game that can go either way
    Pitt cannot afford to lose this game

    Like

  46. early season games, especially openers, usually favor the more seasoned team … thus Pitt may be at a disadvantage, But still ….

    Like

  49. Looking at Virginia’s roster I’m seeing a lot of 3 and 2*’s. Should be a really great game. Again, I expect a large crowd for that game. Considering that everyone has no clue what the PITT offense will look like it is a crap shoot. I admit to still being clueless at least. We shall see in a few short months. My how time does fly.

    Like

  50. Just further proof of my conception that Pitt people are among the most cynical on earth

    Just got back from my daily hour-plus walk where I was wearing a PittPOV shirt (the one with the eyes) and an old Pitt hat (due to a severe case of bedhead). And while I assure you that I wasn’t expecting a laurel and hearty handshake as I nodded to a guy approaching who was also wearing a Pitt hat ,,,, I certainly didn’t expect a FROWN??

    Screw all of you

    Like

  51. No no Bill, there is a difference between a PITT fan being cynical and a person just being a J O. You most definitely would have received a hearty hello from me and most likely followed by a long conversation about PITT football. My wife always tells me I talk to strangers too much.

    Like

  52. Looking at our schedule I am concerned about VA, Miami, at GT, at Cuse, The PSU is important because it is important. I hope the Coastal teams beat each other up like last year so we can sneak in. We need to win the tie breaker games. H2P

    Like

    1. If there was ever a time to destroy Georgia Tech it is this season. The staff needs to switch to an entirely new offense and that does not happen overnight, at least not at Pitt where fans who clamor for a new coach and give him time to rebuild until he sucks in year three.

      Knowing Pitt’s luck GT probably landed some stud JuCo who lights us up and extinguishes any thought of a rebuild.

      .

      Like

    2. PSU is loaded with talent and will have two easy games ahead of Pitt to break in a new QB. I don’t see us beating them, just based on the disparity in talent.

      We can go 3-1 against VA, Miami, GT and Cuse… Or, we can go 1-3… Hard to tell at this point. It may take half the season for our offense to get going, given the new scheme and some key new faces at RB, WR and OL.

      This will be an interesting, hard to predict season. Wait, I say that every year!

      Like

      1. It shouldn’t take half the season for the O to get going. Kenny is talking a big game about this new offense, so I expect results from him. All three starting receivers are back and linemen like Hargrave and Houy have experience. As for running backs, take the ball and get to the end zone, kid.

        It’s all on Kenny this year.

        Like

        1. Nate – I agree that Kenny has to be good this year. It’s his year to shine.

          However, with a new offensive scheme, there may be blown assignments, miscommunication, wrong routes, and probably a few more turnovers (RBs are less experienced and may fumble, and we should expect more INTs if we throw the ball more) in the beginning of the season. I truly believe it will take a while to work out the kinks. Playing VA and PSU as two of our first three games is not ideal with a new offense.

          All of that said, I hope that Kenny shines this season.

          Our Defense will be better than last year by mid-season, but I expect (I seem to be alone here) that the D will struggle some the first few games with a couple of new starters on the DL and at LB. Though many of the new starters do have significant experience…

          Like

  55. I hope I can speak for Fran and say everyone is welcomed at his tailgates but it’s funny, not very many cynics. A couple showed up at first then PITT started winning a few ACC games. But it’s always always a great time with everyone. No judging there.

    TommyMac and missingwlat (Eric) Please report in and give us an update. You guys got me nervous.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. A couple showed up then Pitt started winning? I flew in from Texas and went to the opener. Me attending games or tailgates because we started winning is hilarious. You aware a ticket home is $800. Plus the whole Pitt staarted winning. We finished 7-7 and lost last 3. Go blow that smoke somewhere else. You live an hour away not me.

      Like

      1. It was a joke buddy but you were the fish that I reeled in. So you’re saying you’re a cynic? 🙂

        Like

  56. Nate, I truly do believe that UVA is the athletics program to emulate. They may be average in football but they are strong in most other sports. I would say their Directors Cup ranking is pretty good, and I don’t think they cheat. Plus their football seems to be on the upswing

    Like

    1. No argument there. Virginia definitely knows how to run athletics and I bet if Bronco capped at eight wins the school would still keep him for however long he wanted to stay.

      We can go back as far as 1982 between the schools to show Virginia is smarter at running athletics: George Welsh wanted the Pitt job, Pitt hired Foge, the Cavs hired Welsh and had him for 19 seasons.

      Mr. Stability was also a decorated lieutenant and successful coach at the Naval Academy and Bozik didn’t even see that Welsh would be a better hire than Fazio.

      Like

  57. Reed-I believe you misunderstood the qualification to shop at the Exchange. You state, “This is regardless of how much time the beneficiary served – years, months or even days – as long as they had been awarded a honorable discharge.” However, the website states you must be a veteran. Although I served 6 years in the Army Reserve, and was honorably discharged, I did not have enough active duty days to be a “veteran”. This is also what is on the VA benefits website. Thanks for posting though. I know many others will benefit from your info.

    Like

  60. We lost out on a 2020 Athlete out of Akron today. 3 star (5.7) took an official to Pitt in April. He had offers to Mich, Dairy and a few others. He chose Cincinnati. I wasn’t impressed with his tape, but I am new. He was not the one to get us over the hump to 8 wins in my opinion.

    Hopefully we get a big haul next week. Keep up the good work on here fellas. Hit a busy stretch.

    Like

  62. Some of you might remember it was Gil Brandt who played a vital role in the trade with Seattle that was set up to assure Dallas would be able to draft another Pitt Running Back.

    Like

  63. Follow-up on the ACCN – earlier noted that both Comcast/Xfinity and Dish Network havent signed up yet.

    Comcast’s Twitter address for registering interest is @ComcastCares if your provider is one of those two and you want to encourage them to add it. I’ve done so and received a response. It seems insane they havent agreed to this yet here in the heart of ACC terriitory where few have an interest in the BTN.

    Like

  64. If Dish doesn’t sign up I’ll switch to Direct tv.
    Dish couldn’t even keep HBO and Cinemax in my area.

    Like

  65. Seems little interest in ACC Network. Probably bc it took forever and other than Clemson doens’t have fans like the SEC. This is another example of reactive vs. proactive. Heather begging people to email the cable
    Companies is very carnival ish to me.

    Like

    1. Whats your basis for the “little interest” comment? Get that it wont play as well in TX, but in midatlantic region, its just as important as the SEC. Not a comment on quality, but rather fan interest.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Joe – Cable Companies him-hawing about even carrying it. If there was major interest it would be a no brainer and Heather wouldn’t be telling people to call the Cable Companies.

        Like

      2. Right JoeL, it’s basically a provider testing the waters to see if there is an interested market out there. Comcast will sign on and Mark, every AD in the ACC is telling and asking their fans the exact same thing as Heather is saying. You’re trying too hard on this one.

        Like

    1. All three Kickers in camp blew it. But Blewitt got the boot.

      Guess the Bears are unaware he needs to be on National TV with no time left and the Game on the line to be motivated.

      Like

  67. How many have called their cable companies complaining about pricing and channels provided? I have and it works every single time. They try and keep the price the same by just giving you more channels. Cable is most definitely the willing oil can giving the squeaky hinge the grease. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.

    Like

    1. I use an outfit called Billfixers to cut my AT&T bill way down. They split the savings with me for payment.

      Like

  68. The SEC fans didn’t have to beg their providers. Texas didn’t have to beg. Heather does bc she carries little
    clout and not respected by bigger entities. Just seems smalltown to me.

    Like

    1. What about the Swofford? He thinks he’s a big shot, where’s his clout? This isn’t just Heather’s problem.

      Like

    2. Upitt do you really believe that Heather is the only ACC AD advocating that their fan base call up Comcast and the other cable operators to sign up for the ACC Network? I’m fairly certain this directive to the ACC AD’s come from the top down on this subject.

      Like

      1. I agree with you. It just makes the ACC look like Pikers and getting scraps off the table.

        Like

    3. They are doing the same thing down here Mark – and lets not forget that it took 1.5 yrs for the SEC Network to gain a foothold. BTN had similar experience. Blame Greensboro for being late, but the process is no worse.

      Like

  69. and bye the bye, just get a smart TV and be done with all this. You’ll need wifi but you can get everything by just steaming it. I can watch all the PITT games via the ESPN3 app on my large TV’s in my living room and game-room.

    Like

  70. It’s not just Heather…this is the message from the ACCN.
    There is a website called something like
    getaccnetwork.com to encourage fans to call and demand it to be added by your provider.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You know what I’m thinking Fran? If someone has a bone to pick with someone etc etc etc………

      Like

  71. I will admit this Mark. When I first read that Heather wanted people to call their providers, I did think that was a little too grass rootyish. It’s an example of a johnny come too late to the party.

    Like

    1. She didn’t negotiate the kickoff time, she did ok it though. I think she had little choice. Keep digging though, she’s bound to go on vacation sooner or later.

      I’ll add one of your LOL for whatever reason you do.

      Like

        1. With all due respect. Don’t tell me what to do. You’re free with me to post what you want. I use all the lanes but do try and stay in the slow lane. Like I said before, go around me but don’t try and go through me. I don’t like you.

          Like

  74. We have Comcast, HULU, Netflix, CBS Access and ESPN 3. Pitt FB and BB always on one of them. Other sports are not. I believe Comcast will come around.

    Like

  75. The ACC was way to late to the party. The network will not be a hit but glad we spent 12M on a studio to promote mens cross country and gorillo glue telling us how well he is recruiting. Lock the gates, 412 Crew, Defend your city or whatever his flavor of the month catch phrase is.

    Like

  77. Is there a custormer charge for the ACC network? I can get most of the PITT games on local TV which broadcasts ACC and Direct TV on the higher channels 500’s 600’s.

    Like

    1. Bernie – if you have Comcast, send them an email or a tweet. You are deep in ACC territory and they will listen if folks speak up.

      Like

  78. There is no customer charge for the BTN network on Comcast and I suppose there won’t be a separate charge for the ACC Network if a deal is signed. That’s the problem for the cable companies as they would have to pay the ACC and they don’t want to increase you subscriber change to cover a network that only a limited audience would want to watch. You probably won’t be able to get Pitt football through your local TV network when the ACC Network commences. If Comcast(In my case) doesn’t sign on I’ll just have to do what Ike suggested and that is steam the broadcast via the ESPN3 offering.

    Like

    1. Great blog site called Frank The Tank discusses BTN sports. He is a bit of an expert in matters related to conference realignment and the TV deal. BTN is insisting that they be part of the base package, but carriers want it as a la carte. FOr now, BTN is getting their way, but that wont last now that other conferences are offering alternatives and the cable laws are slated to change. Stay tuned on that.

      In the end, all of these will move to subscription packages.

      Like

  79. From PSN today: Pitt added a sign to their south side practice facility today, PITT AARON DONALD Football Performance Center. Very nicely done and most definitely it can’t hurt when Pitt trots the recruits coming this weekend through the facility on their tour of the Pitt Campus.

    Like

  80. Streaming and ala carte are the future. Fans will pay for content and that’s their school and conference. That’s why many think football will split from the NCAA. Too much money to ignore. 40 school league. Those with the largest fan bases. Pitts ACC money will take a huge cut. The new network will showcase other sports but few would be willing to pay top dollar for it. In five years, everything changes.

    Like

  82. Not all cable companies immediately signed up for the SEC network as UPitt suggested. Charter (who later bought Times Warner & is now called Spectrum) waited until one month before opening kickoff to sign on the SEC channel. I believe Times Warner & Comcast also waited late.

    Now some Podunk cable companies in Alabama & Mississippi may have jumped on immediately but the big boys in the south also delayed just like they are doing now.

    In my case, I believe I pay over $1.25 per month for the SEC network on basic. Funny how they did that. In my late July (of that year) bill was a large notice & stuffer that the SEC channel was coming in mid August. The next bill was a small inconspicuous notice that due to channel provider increased charges, cable bill was going up by $1.25.

    BTN is not on basic here but can be bought by buying the expanded sports package. I have the expanded sports package.

    Liked by 1 person

  83. Richard, it’s just Heather bashing for no real reason. Is she the best since sliced bread, probably not. We shall see but holy cow, it’s the boy crying wolf all over again.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Heather sucks. Not bashing. The bar is so low at Pitt many of you think she is actually good.

      Between pumpkin head Barnes and Steve Peterson 1.0 and 2.0 the bar was garbage.

      Like

      1. I’ve never called Heather good Mark but I’ve never said she sucks either. Plus I never falsely accused her of being on vacation.

        Like

        1. She was on vacation and has been mentally since she started. Look at her coaching hire records. Combine them and she is below .300.

          If Heather was a man people would want her fired.

          Like

        1. She hired Assistant Coaches who never have had HC jobs. Lowhanging Fruit vs. actually recruit and build a search that takes energy and effort. Not to mention she has recruiters do all the work. It is a joke what she doesn’t do. But hey keep pandering to people to call their cable providers and give senile 90 year olds certificates at halftime and praising gorilla glue at .500.

          Like

          1. All I’m saying is you are bashing her. Admit to that, you’re a mans man…… and again with calling the cable company? Clemson is saying the same thing. You need to get real buddy.

            Like

    3. Crying wolf?!? You cry wolf ever day on here about the same bogus stuff on Narduzzi and his excuses for recruiting like he works at Mary Hardin.

      Like

      1. LOL, you need to take some reading comprehension lessons. Just because I don’t stomp my feet daily doesn’t mean I agree with everything Narduzzi does. Read what I write. Calm down and have some dip.

        Like

    1. Isn’t it something that the 11th ranked Narduzzi is 8 – 1 against the top 3 rated coaches?

      Like

  85. Been out of town. Just now catching up.

    The 4 4stars that Reed alluded to where Shell, Voytik, Bisnowaty in PC 1’st class (2012) & Nicholas Grigsby (2011).

    Mosley-Smith is an interesting recruiting story. He signed for DW class of 2010 as a 5.5 3star. Instead of joining the Panthers, he attended a prep school. He recommitted to DW & signed under TG in the 2011 class as a 5.8 4star.

    Todd Thomas story is similar to Mosley-Smith. Signed LOI for 2009 & in 2010. Both years as a 5.9 4star. so when counting stars TT is counted twice.

    I found these quirks when transferring paper notes to excel. Had to go back to Rival’s to confirm my notes. BTW both Mike & Reed have copies of my spreadsheet on recruiting,

    Like

  86. You can view it by that perspective. I dont agree with Cutliffe at #2. Bronco is on the rise And these rankings look at trajectory. Or else why would Dino be ranked that high. I’d personally have Narduzzi around 7. Held back given decline in recruiting and no bowl wins or final rankings. The Wake coach even has 3 bowl wins.

    Narduzzi is the 5th highest paid coach right behind Bronco or Fuentes.

    Like

      1. And Pitt lost to two coaches who were fired

        7 wins on average in 4 years has Dog right in the middle. If he starts winning bowls and getting his team ranked, he would gain more respect and accolades.

        Right now it’s not just me who thinks he’s overpaid. These are sportswriters and not homers.

        Who is Dokish on here?

        Like

        1. FWIW, I’m pretty sure that since Narduzzi came aboard, he has more conference wins than anyone on that list except for Swinney, and Pitt has more conf wins than any school but Clemson and Miami

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Well let’s place Dog at number two or three then for a 28-24 coach with no bowl wins or final rankings. Let’s just reward mediocrity. I see that national sportswriters do not.

            Like

            1. that would be more accurate than placing him 11th. But why would you expect the writers to rate him highly when the followers of his own school tend to undervalue him?

              Like

              1. Did you honestly say under value? He’s happy he has a job and not coaching D backs at Gannon

                Like

  87. my list would be
    1) Swinney (nobody comes close)
    2) Bronco (proven coach at BYU, he inherited Ivy league players at VA)
    3) Doern (consistently good but at danger of underachieving)
    4) Clawson (he’s also the lowest paid with smallest football budget)
    5) Fuente (he could rise or fall like a rock)
    6) Brown (look at his recruiting…not sure if he can still coach but he’s a HOF coach)
    7) Narduzzi
    8) Cutliffe (old goat who should hang it up)
    9) Baber (flash in pan?)
    10) Satterfield (he should move up quickly)
    11) Taggert (no excuses…he’s like a Franklin to me)
    12) Collins (not coached yet but he’s got a certain buzz)
    13) Diaz (not coached yet but can recruit)
    14) Addazio (meatballs for brains)

    Like

  89. Warning — for those who don’t like Kenny Pickett, do not listen to Chris Peak’s latest podcast where he talks to the guy who is KP’s QB coach when KP is back home in Jersey…

    The guy obviously doesn’t know what he’s talking about…

    Remember — 8 freakin’ yards!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  90. Things that make you go — hummm…

    Stumbled upon this on the Pitt FB web site.

    “Michael Priefer Jr. enters his first season as a defensive graduate assistant at Pitt.

    Priefer joins the Panthers after serving as a special teams graduate assistant coach with the University of Minnesota during the 2018 season. The Golden Gophers led the entire nation in punt returns with a 22.25-yard average. Minnesota also boasted lofty national special teams rankings in net punting (eighth, 41.04 avg.), blocked punts (11th, two total) and kickoff returns (26th, 23.41 avg.).

    Priefer played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, lettering as a defensive back and return specialist.

    Priefer is a 2017 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology sports pedagogy. His father, Mike Priefer, is the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.”

    Wait, his father is what? So, picking up on MM’s theme, have the Cleve Brownies cleverly infiltrated the Steeler’s building???

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. Sport Pedagogy is the academic field of study, which is located at the intersection between sport and education. As a discipline, sport pedagogy is concerned with learning, teaching and instruction in sport, physical education and related areas of physical activity. Whilst sport pedagogy is mostly regarded as a sub-discipline of sport science (in North America frequently referred to as kinesiology), its theoretical grounding is also underpinned by the general education sciences. As a scientific subdiscipline sport pedagogy is therefore allied to both fields, sport science and education.

      Whilst?

      Like

  91. Upitt, you’ve been ripping pretty hard on Heather. I think it takes a longer period of time to judge an AD’s performance. So far, though, the results are a bit disappointing. The jury is still out as far as her coaching hires. And too much time spent on sideshows like Pitt Studio and new uniforms. In my opinion the top priorities are facilities and fundraising. The five yr anniversary is the point at which we should start to draw some conclusions.

    Like

    1. Victory Heights yes
      Fundraising yes
      But also building new fans

      Pitt gets most of their revenues from TV and the ACC. And these monies have very little to do with Pitt’s own performances on the field. Its the performance of the entire conference that matters.

      Higher attendance at Heinz and the Pete might bring in an extra $4-$7M every year
      Extra donations might bring in another $5M annually…and I’m being generous
      The new ACC network alone is projected to bring in $10M every year beyond year 1

      Pitt’s primary focus really should be on nurturing existing fans and creating new supporters
      They drive everything

      Like

  92. An ncaa official told cbs sports that 6 mens basketball teams will receive notices of allegations for level 1 violations the most serious infractions

    Like

    1. in this poll HCPN is a more reasonable 7th in the ACC .. but still 15 below the 27th ranked Cutliffe who has yet to beat Narduzzi in 4 tries

      Like

      1. So it appears that the tough OOC and overall wins and losses has more of an impact than winning your conference games.

        Like

        1. bowl wins and final rankings mean something
          and not being blown out in OOC games (see PSU and CFU) including the ACC championship
          one just cant cherry pick
          need to look at the complete record
          28-24, no bowl wins, no final rankings

          Like

    2. Narduzzi I believe is the 42nd highest paid coach as well
      So from Pitt’s perspective, Narduzzi has earned his 7 win seasons

      Like

  94. I see Chryst is 14th. PC was 6-7 in his 3rd year at Pitt in 2014, then won 10 games at Wisc in 2015 …. which is one less game than what Wisc won in 2014

    So for the umpteenth time ….. coach or program?

    Liked by 2 people

  95. Barring injury at key positions, Pitt football will have their best year under Narduzzi this coming season.

    Best recruiting class, best record, best end of season ranking.

    I am all in on this team, if it doesn’t happen I will be leading the protest to get him fired, LOL.

    Like

    1. The defense should be unspectacular but solid and should perform well from game 1 on given the experience, no scheme change and good leadership. I say “unspectacular” because I don’t see many game changers in the D, but every position looks solid.

      The offense will be slow to start with new faces making their first starts, two difficult opponents in the first three games (so no warm up), and a completely new offense. I think that the offense will struggle through the first four games or so. I think that the Whipple hire was good, and we will be able to keep some teams off balance, but it will take a while to get going. This would have been a good year to have three cupcakes to start the season… We don’t with Virginia and PSU. Plus Ohio is decent.

      And, I think that overall the Coastal is better this year.

      Nonetheless, I hope that you are right!

      Liked by 1 person

  96. Its the coaches
    You get what you pay for
    And the recruits

    Pitt could become elite almost overnight if they started paying $6M annually for a HC and $1M each for coordinators. And spent even more money on recruiting and facilities. And Pitt has this money. They can raid the general fund some more since people dont seem to mind.

    And then they might have to culturally change by possibly lowering standards, breaking some rules and allowing boys to be boys.

    So the Pitt program isnt structured to become elite but it is structured to win more than 7 games each year and get the team ranked come years end. The program didnt lose the last 3 games.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. money alone
        weak division
        plenty of talent within 500 miles
        interested in a challenge
        if he wins at Pitt, he’ll be Florida’s new coach in 5 years

        Like

      2. Exactly. Pitt’s administration over the last 36 years has shown to be a Mickey Mouse operation, so why would a confident coach want to walk the sidelines of a pro stadium in front of empty seats?

        Chances are great the next guy after Narduzzi will be worse. That’s just how it is when your school leaders have no vision and are in over their heads when it comes to athletics.

        Like

        1. because a confident coach could fill those seats

          how much worse can the next guy be. The last 2 coaches averaged 6 wins. Narduzzi has averaged 7. Pitt has historically averaged around 6 wins. So Pitt may revert back to the average. They still are bowl eligible and maybe they start winning some. Attendance wouldnt change much at all.

          Chances are another coach could get this team over the hump.

          I’d love to see the details on Narduzzi’s contract. What incentive clauses and bonus payouts if any. What motivation does Narduzzi have for being anything more than just average?

          Like

          1. Even if the coach thought he could win, his agent would advise to wait on something better.

            The only coach Pitt has hired since 1982 who actually coached with some balls amazingly was Todd Graham. All others have been petrified of losing. Heck, Narduzzi at least has run some fake punts since his arrival, but oddly has scaled back on trying those for some reason.

            It’s like Bill Parcells said when you’re a coach “It is your job to find a way to win it.” Pitt hasn’t had those kind of coaches. It’s always guys doing the same thing week after week doing only what they know. No vision, no balls, unfortunately.

            Like

            1. I disagree … Fraud was all talk. Remember he talked about gambling on 4th down on the plus side of the field … yet Tino was the leading punter for a while with those quick kicks. And how many premature TOs did he take? Wanny was criticized for this but Graham was the master.

              The best thing about Graham when he was at Pitt was his DC

              Like

  97. BTW – there is no motivation for Pitt sports to be anything more than just average. Pitt’s ACC check is the same if they are first or last in the Directors Cup. Pitt just needs to do the bare minimum to keep membership in the club.

    Like

  98. I’m on the record with Pitt becoming Bowl eligible and going on to hand Narduzzi his first Bowl Win next year.

    But when you look at the schedule, it is really tough to see where exactly those 6 or 7 WINS are going to come from.

    For one, fully expect Miami to be the SURPRISE of the ACC.

    This is partly due to the coaching change. But also due to Tate Martell, the Quarterback transfer from Ohio State.

    He is what we hopefully will see Kenny Pickett become under the guidance of “Pappy” Whipple.

    Martel destined to make a MAJOR splash.

    Like

  100. Tex something tells me that at this point in his career if Narduzzi won a bowl game and not a coastal championship, you would be saying that winning a division championship would be the essential measuring stick.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. i’d like to see his contract. bronco’s has bonus payouts
      i’d structure his with a low base much like bronco’s
      a final ranking would be worth more than a division title

      Pitt could go 10-2 but not win the division
      win your bowl makes 11
      and Pitt is ranked just outside the top 10

      Like

  101. Those trashing last year’s coastal…don’t forget pitt won the coastal AND their crossover games. Not saying we should be pumping our chest about last season…but the hyperbole against Narduzzi is unwarranted.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. The juggernauts Wake and Syracuse. Both True Powerhouses.

      The man makes 3.5M. Raise the expectations please.

      Like

      1. Interesting Mark. Didn’t Syracuse end up where you want PITT to end up? 10 wins and a top twenty finish.

        Like

  102. Upitt. 3.5 million is 42nd highest in cfb. It is a lot of money but in perspective of cfb these days it is below avg for power five coaches.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Plus Narduzzi is rated real close to his salary of P-5 coaches. He’s not a thief. He does a lot with little. Does he need a little grooming. I don’t think so, he’s a mans man. This year will tell the tale.

      Like

        1. Per the Pitt News, he made $3.15M last fiscal year. News just published the highest paid Pitt employees. This is just what Pitt pays. I’m sure his agent has some other money from the side coming in but Pitt doesnt pay…very important. Pitt has standard COLA’s so his pay this coming year should be close to $3.3M when Pitt reports in another 12 months. Unless his COLA is greater than the typical highly compensated Pitt employee or if he maxes out on certain incentives (assuming there are incentives and they are hit) Irregardless, he is highly compensated and the number 1 paid Pitt employee. So it comes down to do you think he is worth it. I think Pitt obviously thinks so. He’s a tad bit over compensated if you ask me. I want more for my buck. And I do have skin in the game since my Pitt diploma is on the wall.

          Like

          1. and Narduzzi is going to make less on the side at Pitt than most coaches elsewhere. For example, you will note that Brian Kelly only made $2,1M from ND … wouldn’t be surprised if his total package wasn’t > $4M, with probably NBC giving him a generous amount

            Like

  103. Anyone who ever served some time in the US military and who was discharged with an Honorable or a General discharge (that is anything other than a Dishonorable) should seriously think about looking into applying for VA Disability benefits.

    Not all disability awards are monetary…you could go through the process and be labelled “0% disabled” which while it wouldn’t get you a $$ stipend each month would still give you rights to VA loans, Federal small business contract preferences, etc…

    Many vets have at least some hear ing loss due to being around aircraft, runways, engine rooms, etc. That alone is a 10% disability rating. Don’t worry – believe me the VA will have tests done, doctors to examine you. The rating you will end up with will be an honest outcome.

    I strongly suggest that anyone who served get in touch with the VA, or better yet the non-profit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization, and start the application process.

    https://www.dav.org/

    Don’t think of it as anything but something you worked for and actually paid for via your federal taxes over the years. I’ve now helped 22 veterans to apply and 19 received a disability rating and $$ compensation. Ten of those where then able to move out of homeless camps in the woods and into studio apartments with money left over after rent.

    Here’s are the compensation rates with both single and married payments:

    https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp01.asp

    This also does not preclude from still working…unless you are “100% Permanent and Total”.

    DO NOT THINK THIS IS IN ANY WAY THIS IS ANY SORT OF CHARITY!!

    Nothing is further from the truth. If you are honest and truthful in your application and with the doctors then you are entitled to this earned benefit. That said I suggest you list every possible thing on your application. After all if it doesn’t meet VA criteria you won’t get it for that particular thing.

    Liked by 2 people

  104. ^^ Yep, the first two lost to King Pat last year. I get it, he’s not a likeable guy. Lets pay attention to what happens on the field this year. I’m ready which ever way the season plays out. I can roll in all directions, metaphorically speaking.

    Like

    1. Know that makes me go hmmm!

      That is the record I aspire to.

      Lock the gates and get r done!

      Like

  106. Reed, this information you have brought to us all is invaluable. I haven’t mention another older brother that served in the army way back then. He is very much more receptive to the idea of help. No, he didn’t fight in a war and he does use the resources that are available to him. My two brothers do not talk with each other. Cracking through to war torn veterans can be a toll on families and my only point is……… Your work is much appreciated. Keep up you great work.

    Liked by 1 person

  107. When he can coach a consistent above .500 team, get to aand win bowl games and not be the only ACC team a horrible NC beats like a drum on a regular basis then maybe he’ll get more respect.

    Like

    1. Reed — mentioned the online PX benefit to a brother-in-law. He wasn’t aware of it and said he will check it out…

      Thanks!

      Go Reed!

      Like

    2. beats like a drum, hysterical Reed. Narduzzi has lost to them. Actually, I don’t know what that means? Beat like a drum? Ah Oh!

      Like

  109. It seems to me that an athletic program like Pitt would pay its head football coach an above average salary knowing that the budget for assistants is light, the facilities are average and the opportunities for the head coach to make outside money are minimal. I have yet to see Narduzzi on a local commercial. He doesn’t even sell cars!

    Like

  110. My point is that Pitt may have needed to kick in an extra half million dollars per year to compensate for all of the other drawbacks. Otherwise, what good coach would accept that gig?

    Like

    1. Exactly. We lost the previous two coaches to other programs when they performed worse than Narduzzi. And Paul Chryst is all of the sudden A coaching wizard after going to Wisconsin. so I can see why pitt is paying a decent amount. It is not a good coaching job right now.

      Like

  111. The model is pretty clear, and unfortunately looks a lot like the Pirates methodology. Hire an assistant who is starting to age and is dying to get a P5 head coaching position. It is too late in the career to start at Division III or even the MAC level. While he is still excited and thinks it is a good opportunity, sign him at a modest to low salary. Then before he actually wins or reaches free agency, sign him to a long term deal to lock in mediocrity for the long term. Kind of reminds me of the Pirates old 5 year plans that fell flat. By the way, I hope this is not the outcome, and that we are on the verge of hitting it big this year. But seeing SOP for 35 years, I’ve got to believe the laugh will be on us…

    Like

    1. Interesting theory. I think the program although slightly is moving in a positive direction. I am anxious to see this season and next season and then I can make an accurate assessment on Narduzzi. I think he has been solid so far but obviously you can only be “solid” for so long.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Pitt has also done the same with AD’s
      Miss Compliance and giver of halftime awards isnt going to cut it
      I’d like to know where she ranks among ACC AD’s
      She is nearly dead last in fundraising, nearly dead last in attendance as % of capacity, dead last in Directors Cup, dead last in % of budget subsidized and stupid enough to schedule the toughest OOC.

      Yet she will get credit for Fantas, tents, safely busing students, bobbleheads, halftime awards, new colors that burn your eyes out, GPA’s, graduation rates, choir boys, clean and shaven and being a sponsor of OBX.

      But we all need to call our cable companies, petition our bureaucrats to allow tents, purchase the new colors, support a mediocre product and continue bending over like we fans have for the past 35 years.

      Happy Happy Joy Joy

      Like

  112. Narduzzi is getting compensated at market. I’m pretty sure that Pitt expects consistent bowl eligible seasons at that pay. But I’m also pretty sure they dont expect consistent 10 win seasons either. Solid for Pitt means mediocre for most other schools.

    Again, Pitt does the bare minimum needed to stay in the ACC. And they will continue doing so.

    If and when football breaks with the NCAA, Pitt is screwed financially. The gravy train with biscuit wheels will come to an end. But I actually look forward to this day since Pitt will finally be a top dog among the leftovers and they wont have to break the bank. We’ll finally see 10 wins.

    Like

  113. There’s nothing funnier or more ridiculous that making fun of Heather giving away awards at any given time during a PITT football game. It just proves the disdain you have for her. It makes zero sense, imo.

    Liked by 1 person

  114. Heather gets paid at the bottom of the ACC. She makes 400k and this data was from 2 years ago. You get what you pay for. The avg AD makes nearly 900k. There is no excuse having an AD paid this low. But u think Heather is worth any more? Based on the facts that I outlined. She will be worth more once she increases Pitt’s revenues, increases Pitt’s Director Cup standings, balances the athletic budget, provides proper facilities for athletes
    https://www.dailypress.com/sports/teel-blog/dp-teel-time-ad-salaries-post.html

    All the halftime awards will only make sure Santa doesnt have her on the naughty list.

    Like

  116. Its very telling ike. Her answer to improving Pitt football was tents.

    Mine would have been ‘we need to recruit more killers.’

    Killers like the Goose. A good Jersey boy who chose Pitt over the Pedos and Domers because he wanted to kill on the football field.

    I guess those vacations at OBX are making Heather soft. Yes – lets pitch tents to keep dry and stay out of the beating sun. Lotion anyone?

    Like

    1. “we need to recruit more killers”…. That’s not doing something, that’s wishing in one hand and you know what in the other. I’m fairly certain Heather wishes for all 5 star recruits. So there you go. << Now she’s doing something.

      Maybe you think the tents are a joke but I bet the students feel much differently. Sometimes it is the little things in life Tx.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. tents are a nice little thing for students if it can be pulled off
        it wont make them forget being bused though

        and i sure do hope Heather had conversations regarding Narduzzis recruiting
        its make or break at camp this week

        in the end, you generally get what you pay for.

        not hiring the best people and having little accountability has placed Pitt in this position

        Like

  117. I’ll give you that Narduzzi has had difficulties recruiting and has a poor bowl record, two things that need work. The first may be partly on him but mostly on the other obstacles inherit at Pitt. The bowl record is all on him.

    However I think the rest of his record is pretty far above the line considering what he has to work with. The record in the ACC is very good, which really speaks to how difficult the OOC has been. To expect him to be competitive with PSU, OK ST, UCF and ND or any top ten team shows a total lack of understanding of Sports. David doesn’t beat Goliath on a regular basis.

    His one really poor season was a transition year without a P-5 able QB. He has finally stopped the revolving door of starting transfer QB’s.

    Last year he was able to win 7 games with a brand new O-line, that couldn’t pass block and a first year QB, who was running for his life.

    I am just as disappointed in recruiting as anyone, but I am not convinced that anyone can do better at Pitt and don’t want to go through another change just to find out again that it is not the coach. Chryst kind of proved the point. I see enough development and enough improvement to stay the course.

    It does bother me that Pitt won’t lighten up the OOC enough to make 8 wins probable and 10 wins possible in a good year. Most every school recognizes this is how it is done.

    This is the only fault I find with Heather. The rest of the vitriol is totally uncalled for. She pulled off a big win getting Capel, a very capable leader. Even he is finding out how difficult it is to sell Pitt to elite athletes. She is smart enough to see what Pitt football needs most is stability. To not quit before you really know. Where would Va Tech be if they fired Beamer after 4 years?

    She is giving all other sports the opportunity to improve.

    She is attempting to address the issues of attendance and game day experience and is met with a great deal of childish criticism from a peanut gallery without answers.

    She has no magic wand to reverse a long history of apathy and a lack of a culture that values athletics. let alone a fan base that expects the success of the early eighties.

    Liked by 7 people

    2. You pretty much nailed there gc. It’s just basically nitpicking on someone they don’t like.

      Like

    3. its her job not ours to find those answers
      but it doesnt help when she refuses to disseminate info during media interviews or meet and greets with alumni
      it doesnt help when she refuses to answer questions from the audience (even if those questions have been screened)
      there is little transparency
      without transparency there is no accountability
      she’ll end up running for governor of Michigan one day

      better communication of the plan via fan engagement, openness and just plain honesty will go a very long way

      Like

    4. What has Capel ever done as a Head Coach? I will wait. Recruiting at Duke sells itself. Now Hurley doingbwhat he did and where he did it is another thing. Capel is a name and a good assistant at Duke. He is not a lead man which is why at his age he has only been a HC at one other place and ended in being fired.

      You guys love the name but Capel isn’t valuable
      Unless he is at Duke history proves.

      Like

    2. Narduzzi wins won big game with Chrysts guys. Who does he half anywhere need as good as that team. I will wait again.

      His guys got beat by 40 and threw for 8 yards.

      Like

  120. Once again IMO it’s all about expectations. Many here expect the Pitt FB to be much better. I truly don’t believe it can …. simple as that.

    I do think it can do a little better …. but much? Delusions of grandeur.

    My reasons for this have been well documented

    Like

    1. Agree that Pitt can do better but will never compete with the heavyweights again. Too many obstacles, the biggest being $$$$. Second being small apathetic fan base.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I do believe we can be consistently above average and occasionally have a magical season if everything falls right (favorable schedule, no injuries, good qb play). But to expect us to compete with the big boys on a yearly basis is ludicrous.

        Like

        1. who on here is saying they expect Pitt to compete against Bama and tOSU
          Pitt would have to double their spend and cheat
          Pitt doesnt have the revenues nor the appetite
          Winning 10-11 games every 4 years, winning bowl games, getting the team ranked come seasons end on a consistent basis is not unreasonable.

          some of you guys always bring up the 70’s ad 80’s
          that was when Pitt was elite
          winning 11 back then is the equivalent of winning 14 today

          Pitt shouldnt have to wait once every 15 years to win 10

          Liked by 1 person

          1. That’s the point Tx. You know why PITT will always have a hard time winning 10 games or more but then you put the blame on a specific person when it is the system that we all agree is the fault.

            Liked by 1 person

  121. u guys take things too personally

    I can dislike Narduzzi given his performance. It doesnt mean I hate the guy or not wish him success
    the guy has been learning on the job for the past 4 years. he has a longer learning curve than most
    He’s made some real bad hires…can anyone argue with that?
    His recruiting leaves much to be desired and is trending down
    He really hasnt developed any of his own players that can take over a game
    He’s got a slightly above .500 record and is 0-3 in bowl games; no final rankings
    Narduzzi’s pay is slightly below average among all P-5 school (42nd out of 65)
    Those are all not so good things

    I recognize his coastal title, his acc record, him running a clean program

    I also recognize that Heather is in over her head and needs help
    I admire her passion and focus on excellence across all sports
    But her background is in compliance
    She is finally starting to form a fundraising team
    She needs help with marketing and finances as well
    AD’s are judged by coaching hires, directors cup rankings, revenues, fundraising, instilling a winning culture, facilities, budget, and keeping programs clean
    she’s going on 3 years and would grade out poorly in most of these areas

    because I point this out doesnt mean i hate her
    it means that Pitt needs to recognize these deficiencies and work on improving
    it means she might have not been the right hire for the job
    again you get what you pay for…she’s probably the lowest paid AD in P-5

    not being critical and holding people accountable will lead to another 35 years of mediocrity
    i’m not critical of Pitt’s successes…I dont overblow them either.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You have called for the firings of both Heather and Narduzzi. So it is what it is. You also are constantly pointing out the ineptitude of the PITT administration.You are one of the smartest and more articulate posters on the POV leaving me in shame but the next time you mention something praising PITT will be my first time that I’ve heard it.

      Like

      1. I never called for their hirings in the first place and knew what could happen when you hire an assistant DC from a Big 10 school and an AD whose background is Compliance and the school she left had to cut 4 highly successful programs due to football revenue issues.

        So the ineptitude is at the individual level. Pitt is a product of its people. Pitt has made some bad hirings. And you eventually get what you pay for.

        If Pitt was truly serious about sports, they wouldnt have hired a compliance person who left a significant fiscal problem in her wake upon departure.

        Pitt needs to begin aiming high or why bother?

        Like

        1. I read this Tx and wonder what you are saying? It sounds to me that aiming higher is saying start over again? Innuendos you should own up to.

          Like

          1. Heather has another two years to prove herself via revenues that Pitt controls and directors cup. Pitt is bottom of the barrel so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Let’s see how she does with attendance and fundraising. Let’s see if more than just wresling and volleyball can get ranked.

            Narduzzi is most likely safe as long as he keeps winning 7 or 8 games. And some bowl wins would help.

            I don’t see Pitt getting rid of either because they come dirt cheap, soapy clean and high character.

            Pitt aims for the middle. That wouldn’t be bad across sports in the ACC. But right now Pitt is near bottom. Time will tell. And then ask yourself if middle is good enough. That’s a number between 5 and 9.

            I’d like to see Pitt aim top third. And it comes back to culture.

            I know what Pitt is trying to do. It doesn’t mean I support their middling goal. But frankly any improvement is welcome because Pitt is so bad…results, revenues, facilities.

            Like

      2. Pitt looks at certain criteria when they hire and unfortunately pay is one of them. Therefore, this often eliminates the best candidates. Pitt just doesnt do proper due diligence on their hires.

        Did Pitt know enough that Eastern Michigan football was just a flash in the pan and there was no consistent level of winning. Was there a broad based and successful fundraising strategy at the school or did Pitt over value the donation of one large booster? Did Pitt understand the fiscal difficulties and ultimate implications that EMU faced?

        Did Pitt understand that Narduzzi wasnt a lead recruiter? Did they understand there are major differences in style of play between the conferences? Did they understand the learning curve and need for very good assistants to help him.

        All this is common sense. But Pitt values certain criteria more than others…clean, compliance and comp

        Like

  123. Holy cow, the POV has some badass world travelers on here. Ecuador, England, Richman was out of the country recently. Hell I think I’m on a road trip when I drive to Ligonier. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  124. Before we get into the onslaught of bagging recruits these next two weeks (ikr), I wanted to report that the golfers at the FRANKCAN CUP CHASE raised over $500 for a non-profit organization in Lancaster County called Blessings of Hope – they feed the homeless and provide to organizations that distribute meals to the poor and needy.

    Thanks to all who participated.

    H2P!

    Liked by 6 people

  125. We are Rivals #73 in 2020 FB rankings with 3 #3 kids.

    No Rivals rank in BB.

    Everyone in ACC ahead of us.

    Talk about a gloomy future. At least we get ACC equal money for now.

    Like

    1. Let’s see where we rank in fb recruiting at the end of June.
      Pitt bball recruiting should be improved next year too. There is still hope.

      Liked by 1 person

  126. UPitt you are like Stephen A or Colin Cowherd with some of your hot takes. Writing off capel after just one year and reasonable success! Come on man!!!

    Like

    1. UPitt is the master of hyperbole … not to mention gorillas and munsters. And amazingly some here call him realistic

      frankmd, if the past few years are any indication, Pitt will not be 73rd in FB recruiting in 11 days from now

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Their avg star will drop though

        Just sheer numbers will move Pitt up. But are they quality?

        I highly doubt Pitt lands any Four stars.

        Like

          1. Narduzzi offers but can he land. I think at least four 4 stars will be at camp. But many have other very good offers. Whats his pitch?
            At least Pitt isnt going up against Holy Cross for these kids. But the focus really should be on kids with offers from Va Tech and NC. You can convince those kids easier than a recruit with elite offers.

            Like

      3. You are the master of koolaid and the reason people don’t a hieve success. Because you accept utter failure. You must work for the Goverment or PennDOT.

        Like

    2. Reasonable? His coaching and recruiting is atrocious.

      People love the name and Duke but what has he ever done while
      Not at Duke.

      Like

  127. I’m hoping many aren’t too disappointed after this weekend. Based on last years surge of commits in June too many are expecting IMO a repeat of what took place last year.

    Like

  128. TX — you’re right about the bad hires, but wouldn’t you be hard-pressed to find a FB coach who hasn’t made bad hires?

    Also, on hiring, I thought Heather was pretty aggressive going after Hurley and then Capel. Seemed like quite a step up to me.

    Finally, I follow Pitt’s women’s BB, and while I don’t know crap about BB, I am really impressed with the “assistant” she brought in. Coach White was stuck with the previous coach’s 3 recruits for his first season and they were not very good at all, but he had the team playing notably more aggressively. And now, for next season, he has brought in seven new faces — five freshmen, a Juco, and another transfer. And he actually brought in some 6-3 and 6-4 players (tall for the women’s game), whereas his predecessor rarely signed anyone over 6 feet.

    So, based on what I’ve seen, the women’s BB team is nicely headed in the right direction…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  129. Well, that Pintripe bowl against a weak NW team was ours for the taking and that would have been nine wins. But no…

    If we can win seven regular season games then we can get to eight with a bowl win…which also was there for the taking against a depleted Stanford team. But no…

    Here is the kicker with Narduzzi…he just doesn’t capitalize when he should or could. That win against Clemson generated zero recruiting interest…as did the win against PSU. They sure made the fans feel good but that really was it. There was no lasting positive effect on the roster or program itself.

    As for the previous coaches…who really cares at this point four years removed? Wasn’t all the admin and fan hype about Narduzzi’s hire because he was going to really strengthen the program? Can anyone honestly say that the FB program over the last two years is markedly better then before he was here?

    Believe it or not I’m fine with PN as Pitt’s HC because he does things the right way off the field of play and his scholar/athletes thrive because of it. That is as, if not more, important to me then an additional win or two. But I would love to get to eight or nine wins including a bowl win and be ranked in the Top 25.

    That is what will truly impact recruiting…not what we see happening now.

    I am just tired of Pitt fans blowing smoke about how effective and successful he is when it comes to actual football issues when it is pretty clear he’s an average at best head coach in that arena.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Reed the only ones with any passion one way or the other towards Narduzzi are the anti-Narduzzi crowd like yourself. None of us that defend him are nearly as passionate as the anti-Narduzzi crowd. It is more like, “the guy has done a decent job, let’s see what he can do. Pitt has been mediocre for 35 years and so far he is slightly better than previous coaches.” The hyperbole comes from the anti-Narduzzi crowd on here.
      I just cannot for the life of me understand the trashing some of u give to Narduzzi.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. How did that what I wrote sound like ‘thrashing’?

        And you are wrong anyway. There has been much excuse making for Narduzzi on here over the last two years.

        All you have to do to see some is go back a few years and read the stuff commenters wrote about run of the mill recruits he signed. It was as if they just had to be great because he recruited them…well, two and three (and four) years later not one player he got to commit out of HS has been 1st or 2nd team All-ACC and certainly not All Americans.

        But some still think he’s a great recruiter because, well, we must ‘trust the process’.

        The same process BTW that has give us sub .500 ball over last two seasons.

        Like

  131. You’ve seen four years. He’s a 7 win coach and can’t win bowls or recruit. It’s just a question of his ceiling. And if he’s worth his compensation given results.

    To me he is a 9 win ceiling coach. He is not a coach that can get Pitt consistently ranked.

    But most fans and Pitt are fine if the team is bowl eligible and clean.

    Narduzzi is your guy if you want those results. I’m anti those results.

    Like

      1. How long am I willing to wait. Vegas has Pitt at six or seven wins. What changes next year to reach more than nine? I just don’t see him matching wanny unless heather creates a very easy OOC. And then Pitt struggles with attendance. No easy answers to get narduzzi over the hump. He’s the one that really controls 80 percent of it. I’m just not confident he can get there based on what I’ve seen after 4 years and going into a very unpredictable year 5 with few if anyone predicting Pitt to repeat as title winners.

        But he’s safe like I said as long as he continues to plug away. He will never get fired for 7 win seasons as long as his program is clean and attendance doesn’t drop below 30k

        Like

  133. Go be Heather’s Sheep and Call your cable companies like Queen Heather begs of you serfs. It is a utter joke. When Narduzzi gets a few 4 stars let me know. Until then the wait till Narduzzi gets his guys and next year will be different crowd. Heather is a rookie and deserved the Mac and would still be there if we actually cared about winning and not hiring no name assistants and Capel who away from Duke has no value.

    Like

      1. Lyke – Yes

        Narduzzi – Yes

        Capel – He gets this year to show improvement in record and recruiting.

        Yes. I want winners not people milking the system.

        Glad you got it.

        Like

      2. Heather and King Pat are here for at least another 2-3 years. To Pitt, they are bargains especially Heather.

        The important questions become what are the expectations and who is holding who accountable.

        Heather has the easiest path. Pitt is revenue poor. Fundraising is abysmal. Facilities for Olympic sports are rotting away. Pitt is last in the Directors Cup. The good thing is that Pitt cant do any worse. She’s been at the helm for 2 years now but progress has been very slow.

        I dont think most fans truly realize how bad Pitt is at sports. And they have one of the highest subsidies to keep pushing out some very bad products in some embarrassing facilities(see Trees and Fitzgerald) or lack thereof (see track)

        Narduzzi has the more difficult path. He’s average across most metrics but I actually grade him out at a B minus. He does recruit good character kids, runs a clean program and kids graduate. So scholar athletes all the way. And theres good in that. But if the goal is consistent top 25 rankings, he falls short so far and I believe he will continue. But I really dont think Heather or Pitt minds that much. The status quo is acceptable given his pay and fan expectations and beliefs.

        I just wouldnt have hired those two in the first place since my goals and expectations are higher. And I value winning more than running a clean program. The ACC is not the conference if you want to be clean…see FSU, Miami, NC, Cuse (basketball), Louisville. More than 1/3 of the league is stench.

        Like

  134. If memory serves, Chaney left before Navy, Canada left before Northwestern and there were several injuries including Conner during the game and Watson was fired after the Stanford game.

    Let’s hope that Whipple is the answer. Also hopeful since Borbely had two years with these guys that the line might be further ahead than last year.

    Like

  135. I hope Pitt gets to the point where coaches leaving for other gigs feel compelled to stay until after the bowl game instead of ASAP. Using Chryst and Narduzzi as examples where they stayed until after their bowl games before coming to Pitt, whereas Chaney and Canada left as soon as the ink was dry on their new contracts.

    Like

  136. What makes a head coach a good recruiter? Can it be learned or get better with practice? I think a player has a good idea if he would play for a HC on the first meeting. Perhaps there are ways to compensate for poor recruiting skills but so far Pitt hasn’t figured them out.

    Like

  137. By the way, I think that whatever it is, Capel has it. We could see it at his introduction and it will come to fruition over time

    Like

  138. most of the assistants are the ones who recruit
    thats the relationship that matters
    Narduzzi just has to close the sale

    I’m sure some is natural and some can be learned
    But you need to know your selling points
    whats the pitch
    and then you need to back it up

    Like

  139. Tex, football is the ultimate team sport and an emotional game. Wanting to win for the coach is an important part that can get the team to perform above its skill level. When being recruited I don’t think these kids are thinking only about the Xs and Os or the facilities

    Like

  140. Sales is relationships and relationships are about respect and likeability. There is your problem.

    VOR – Whatever Capel has he better start showing it soon. It isn’t showing in his recruiting.

    Like

  141. Maybe it is more accurate to say that many players can decide who they WON’T play for at the first face to face meeting

    Like

  143. As a head coach Chryst was the definition of average at Pitt. At Wisconsin he became much better due to the program that he inherited and an easier schedule.

    Nard has been slightly above average at Pitt and would probably do even better than Chryst if he took over Wisconsin. I think Nard has been an improvement over Chryst but the program and the schedule has kept the team from being ranked at the end of the year.
    Of course this is just making excuses.

    Liked by 3 people

  145. And here’s a NEW term for ya… “Modern Gold.”

    According to the article, apparently that is the OFFICIAL description of the NEW Pitt “Gold.”

    And the Emperor has no clothes.

    Like

  146. and people here call UPitt a realist

    go ahead Gallagher …. fire Lyke and Narduzzi, and in a few years, UPitt will be calling for their replacements to be axed …. guaranteed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Not if you actually hire someone with a spine and passion and not lifetime assistants and compliance #3 people.

      You bring me up a lot. Focus on yourself and what excuses you will create for Narduzzi and Lord Lyke as you kiss her rings this fall and make more excuses.

      Like

Comments are closed.