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Pitt ready for first interviews
Former Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt
Getty Images
He will soon emerge from his door and begin an interview process that should carry him through the weekend. He will meet with former Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, Houston Texans defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads.
That quartet represents the first wave of top candidates, and the search could begin and end with them. Long would like to get a coach in place quickly for recruiting purposes, though he said earlier this week that he will not act hastily.
Baldwin native Wannstedt, 52, a former Pitt offensive lineman and assistant coach, is the most experienced of the top candidates, considering he has 30 years at the NFL and collegiate level. He spent the first portion of his coaching career working as an assistant at Pitt, Oklahoma State and Miami before moving into the NFL ranks.
He's been identified as a potential successor to Walt Harris, who is off to Stanford, since resigning from the Dolphins in November after a 1-8 start. His four-plus year record with the Dolphins was 42-31.
Wannstedt, currently working as an NFL analyst for Fox, must decide if he wants to jump back into coaching after a tumultuous season with the Dolphins. And, considering he has not removed his name from consideration, it appears he does. The Pitt job could pay anywhere from $750,000 to $1.2 million.
Wannstedt has not commented publicly on the Pitt opening. Ditto for the university regarding Wannstedt.
Pelini, an energetic 37-year-old who has experience at the college and pro level, is considered an up-and-comer. A native of Youngstown, Pelini oversees one of the top defenses in the nation for an Oklahoma team that will play Southern Cal in the Orange Bowl for the national title.
He was an assistant last year at Nebraska, where his defense ranked second nationally in forced turnovers with 47. He also took over as interim coach for the fired Frank Solich and led the Huskers to a 17-3 victory over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.
Marvin Sanders, the co-defensive coordinator at North Carolina who coached with Pelini last season, said his former colleague is ready for the next step.
"He's been schooled by some of the best, guys like Pete Carroll (Southern Cal head coach)," Sanders said. "He likes to keep it simple. He believes in hard work, and he's really big on effort. There are a lot of good schemes out there and a lot of good coaches, but Bo is at a different level. He makes every player on the team believe."
Sanders clarified the last statement.
"It's not just the guys he's coaching on defense who believe in him -- it's everybody," he said. "I remember seeing our offensive players paying attention to his every word when he was the interim coach. He just has this way of elevating people. He speaks from the heart, and the players pick up on his passion. He doesn't beat around the bush, he plays it straight. The kids respect that."
Hoke, 46, who grew up with and played high school football with Long in Ketttering, Ohio, remained mum on the Pitt job yesterday. Nonetheless, he is expected to interview. He made coaching stops at five colleges, including Florida, before assuming his duties as a defensive backs coach for the Texans last year. The Texans ranked 10th in pass defense last season, but are 29th this fall. He is working closely with first-round pick Dunta Robinson, who leads all AFC rookies with five interceptions.
"There are a lot of quality candidates I'm sure they're looking at, so right now, it would probably be premature to say anything other than I've spoken with Jeff, and I leave at that for right now," Hoke said. "Obviously, it's flattering, but there's a process you have to go through, so we'll just let that process take its course. It's exciting."
Hoke was Steve Spurrier's top assistant at Florida.
Pitt defensive coordinator Rhoads, in his fifth season with the Panthers, is the players' choice because of his contagious energy. He has produced some high-level defenses in his tenure at Pitt, though last season's group struggled. Three of his defensive backs have been taken in the NFL draft and he is well received by high school coaches in Western Pennsylvania.
Long said at a news conference earlier this week that Pitt must improve its local recruiting.
Another former Pitt player who has shown interest in the job is former All-American Sal Sunseri, the defensive line coach with the Carolina Panthers. He has the support of some boosters and has made it no secret in the past that he would relish the opportunity to return to Western Pennsylvania and coach at his alma mater.
Sunseri said yesterday that nothing has been arranged with Pitt, but he clearly is ready to move to the head coaching ranks.
"There's always interest, sure," he said. "But I'm very happy here working for John Fox (Carolina's head coach). I feel like I have some great players here to work with. The organization here is unbelievable, working for Mr. Richardson and this group. I'm very happy and content. If something comes about, it comes about. If not, I'm a very fortunate guy."
| Coaching Candidates |
Dave Wannstedt
Age: 52
Hometown: Baldwin
College: Pitt
Employment history: Miami Dolphins (head coach, 1999-2004), Chicago Bears (head coach, 1993-98), Dallas Cowboys, Pitt, Oklahoma State, USC and Miami.
Current job: NFL TV analyst
Pros: Deep in experience with two NFL coaching jobs on his resume. Highly respected by Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg, who was impressed with Wannstedt's hospitality when the Pitt caravan made its way through south Florida. Known as a hard-edged defensive coach, Wannstedt uses the 1976 Steelers defense as a model for success. Led the Dolphins a 42-31 record with two playoff appearances and a near-miss after a 10-6 season in 2003. His name recognition could be appealing to recruits, who would get a chance to play for a coach who knows what it takes to become an NFL player. In 30 seasons of coaching, he's been affiliated with 20 winning teams, 10 bowl teams, six NFL playoff teams and one Super Bowl champion. Won nine or more games with the Dolphins in each of his first four years.
Cons: Hasn't been a college coach in 16 years and would have to re-acquaint himself to recruiting and the like. Left past two jobs unceremoniously, getting fired by the Bears and resigning from the Dolphins this season after a 1-8 start. The Dolphins were in turmoil this season, most notably the Ricky Williams saga. Questions are circulating if he has the vigor to take the reins at Pitt after a tumultuous season with Miami.
Bo Pelini
Age: 37
Hometown: Youngstown
College: Ohio State
Employment history: Oklahoma, Nebraska (interim head coach 2003), Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Iowa
Current job: Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator
Pros: Fiery young assistant who many believe is ready to elevate to a top spot. In January, he was named interim coach at Nebraska and led the Huskers to a 17-3 victory over Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl. His defense that season forced 47 turnovers, which tied a Nebraska record, and ranked second in forced turnovers. Eight Nebraska opponents rushed for less than 100 yards in '03. Oklahoma this season has one of the top defenses in the nation. In the NFL as a linebackers coach, Pelini worked under Mike Sherman, Pete Carroll and George Seifert. He grew up in nearby Youngstown and would understand the important of recruiting western Pennsylvania. Worked in the Big 12, a conference Pitt AD Jeff Long is strongly familiar with.
Cons: Has never been a head coach and is known more for defense. Might see Pitt as a steppingstone job, given his exposure to some of the nation's top programs and the NFL.
Jon Hoke
Age: 46
Hometown: Kettering, Ohio
College: Ball State
Employment history: Houston Texans (defensive backs), University of Florida, Missouri, Kent State, San Diego State, Bowling Green.
Current job: Houston Texans defensive backs
Pros: Continues to make a name for himself in the coaching ranks with a relatively sparkling resume. Became established at the collegiate level by emerging as a top-flight assistant under Steve Spurrier at Florida. Spurrier elevated Hoke to assistant head coach due to the latter's ability as a defensive coordinator. Hoke's 2001 defense led the SEC in every key category and ranked ninth overall. The 2000 team led the nation in forced turnovers and the '99 team had 43 sacks. Texans rookie Dunta Robinson leads all AFC rookies with five interceptions.
Hoke grew up in the same town as Pitt AD Jeff Long and they played high school football together.
Cons: No head coaching experience and does not have as many Western Pennsylvania connections as some of the other candidates. The Texans rank No. 29 (out of 32) against the pass this season, a year after ranking 10th.
Paul Rhoads
Age: 37
Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa
College: Missouri Western
Employment history: Pitt, Iowa State, Pacific, Ohio State, Utah State
Current job: Pitt defensive coordinator
Pros: Charismatic personality who is the players' choice for the job. Incoming recruits have also pushed for him. Rhoads is well-respected around the university and is an intellectual (high school valedictorian). His defenses were among the best in the nation until a falloff last season. He groomed three NFL draft picks in five years at Pitt, including Shawntae Spencer, Torrie Cox and Ramon Walker in consecutive years. His young secondary this season features one of the top freshmen in the nation in Darrelle Revis. Has a good understanding of Western Pennsylvania recruiting now that he's been here five years.
Cons: No head coaching experience. His defense the past two seasons has not been as good as the previous three years.
