University of Pittsburgh Football Coaching Candidates are Blahhh.

by Sports Talk Live on Dec 17, 2025 5:23 PM EST

I have read over the past few days Pitt will be interviewing several candidates for its newly opened head coaching position. Luke Fickell, Mario Chirstobal, and Paul Chryst, I'm sure are all fine coaches, but aren't there more established head coaches that either have Pro or Major College Football head coaching experience? How about Jim Tressell, how about reaching out to Bill Cowher, or even Mike Ditka. All I am saying is that each of these guys seem like they could leave Pitt in 3-4 years after some successful seasons. If you are going to interview some candidates how about Bud Foster of Virgina Tech, how about Tom Bradley of Penn State. I'm tired of hearing guys like Ron Zook, or even Paul Rhodes name get thrown around. Neither of them were consistent winners at there current and former programs. I wish Graham would have left sooner, maybe Pitt would have had a shot at Mike Leech. I hope some of the former big name Alumni get more involved in this search and fix this problem. This is an attractive job in a football city with some of the best facilities in America.

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The thing with pro coaches

Pitt tried that already with Wannstedt and obviously it didn’t work out. It’s not just at Pitt, Pro coaches, or anyone who has coached in the NFL, for whatever reason tend to struggle when they get to the college level.

Tressel and Bradley are untouchable at this point. With the NCAA violations at Ohio State and the scandal at PSU, no one is going to go anywhere near those two. Foster is an interesting person, though with coaches who have been assistants a long time, you have to wonder if there’s a reason why they’re still an assistant and haven’t landed a head coaching job somewhere.

I also don’t think Pederson who have ponyed up the money to land a Mike Leach. Pitt has been horribly well known for being cheap with coaches. That’s why Graham wasn’t hired the first time around because he wanted more money for his assistants then Pederson was willing to give out.

Fickell or Teryl Austin would be my top 2. Austin doesn’t appear likely as of right now. You can say Ohio State went 6-6 with top flight recruits while Fickell was head coach, but the situation that he took over at OSU can at least explain part of it. It was also his first head coaching gig so that also plays a role. I like his connections to the state of Ohio, which could pay out well in the long run with recruiting. The thing is people have to be patient with a new head coach, which Pitt people haven’t been. The guy needs to have at least a year to get a system down and build up a team with his recruits.

Cardiac Hill contributor

by oaklandzoo12 on Dec 18, 2025 10:55 AM EST reply actions

Coaches

Ditka is almost assuredly coming back to coach in the NFL, let alone to college where he has to recruit and play up to high school kids. It goes without saying, but just for confirmation, he was asked on the local radio station here (The Fan) last week and said he wouldn’t entertain the notion.

And Cowher? No shot. If he ever gets into coaching, it’s going to be the NFL, IMO. He doesn’t need the headache and can make 3-4 times as much in the pros.

It’s unfortunate because Bradley would be a good choice, but the scandal thing is probably something Pitt doesn’t want to bring in-house.

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by CardiacHill on Dec 18, 2025 3:10 PM EST reply actions