[Lefty Noob]

Yahoo! Sports and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette are reporting that Dave Wannstedt could become the university's new Athletics Director, replacing Jeff Long. Apparently, Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenberg wants someone already familiar with the current goings-on at the school, and that the football coach has the support of some influential boosters. I can't help but think this would be a huge mistake. He hasn't even proven he deserves to be the football coach let alone the AD yet. Am I wrong?

Wannstedt could become Pitt AD - Rumors - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[wookie554]

I would have no problem if he gave up his job as football coach. I think the main benefit Dave gives the University is the ability to recruit. It is unfortunate he has never been any good as a head coach and his team certainly proves that week after week. Perhaps being an AD could be a good career move for him. He probably has contacts with people who could come coach the football team back to respectability. I think he is basically a good person but unable to provide the discipline and motivation to his players. He also sticks with assistants that are also incompetent.

[Lefty Noob]

Welcome aboard, wookie, and thanks for joining us. Glad to see I'm not the only one less than impressed with the results that Wannstedt has delivered thus far. Okay, so maybe things would be a bit different this season if Stull hadn't gotten hurt, but as it is the Panthers are a mess.

[wookie554]

I get tired of the excuses of poor performance due to people getting hurt. I remember when the starting quarterback (Hagood?) got hurt in the middle 70's and Matt Cavanaugh had to start and did a fine job. A quality coaching staff should be able to at least teach the players to line up correctly, avoid penalties, substitute properly, and hold on to the football. Unless of course they are recruiting very poor players. Every player on the football team should at least be capable of doing the basic fundamentals of football. I do not think people are so upset at losing as they are at how bad the team looks when they do lose. It is especially embarassing when you live in a football state like Alabama. It also is painful since I was at the University during the high tide of Pitt football and the Steelers were dominating the NFL. It is unfortunate with the current team that there really is no hope when they get behind. It would be nice if they could perform well for a couple of quarters in a row and show us what they can do.