Wisconsin's Paul Chryst Named Next Pitt Football Coach

Paul Chryst Introduces Himself To Pitt At Press Conference

Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has officially been introduced as the new Pittsburgh Panthers head coach.

In a statement released Thursday, AD Steve Pederson is excited to welcome Chryst into the fold.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Coach Chryst and his family to Pittsburgh," Pederson said. "His remarkable success at Wisconsin is well documented in the form of Big Ten championships and All-America performances. But beyond his achievements on the football field, we believed it was important to find a leader who gets the very best from his players while also developing the kind of culture that fits the University of Pittsburgh. Paul Chryst is that leader and we are anxious for our players and fans to get to know him in the coming days and years."

In his introductory press conference, Chryst said he would coach the Badgers' offense in the Rose Bowl before coming on full-time to Pitt. And in what might be construed at some shots at his predecessor, or at least an attempt to prove he's not Todd Graham, he made is clear that he believes "its about what you do and not about what you say" and that "this job is all about the players."

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Pitt Football Recruiting: Paul Chryst, A Steel City Fit

Paul Chryst has a chance to use Pittsburgh's football culture to his advantage.

Pitt Announces Paul Chryst As New Football Coach, Replacing Todd Graham

Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has officially been announced as the next Pittsburgh Panthers head coach. He will be introduced at a 4 p.m. ET press conference at Pitt's practice facility. Pitt football fans seem pretty happy about all this.

According to Adam Hoge, Chryst has been in Pittsburgh for a while already Thursday, while Bob Lichtenfels reports Pitt players were told of the hire shortly ago. From a statement, here's Chryst on his new gig:

"My family and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to join the University of Pittsburgh," Chryst said. "Pitt and Pittsburgh are absolutely the right fit for us, and we're looking forward to getting immersed in our new hometown. We are committed to building a program on and off the field that will make people proud. The bar is set high in the `City of Champions' and that is incredibly exciting and inspiring. I can't wait to meet our players and get to work."    

Chryst has never been a head coach, but has been his team's offensive coordinator at six different stops. His Badgers attack has helped Wisconsin reach two straight Rose Bowls.

Athletic director Steve Pederson congratulated Chryst, who takes over for Todd Graham, a man in a hurry with a wide world to see:

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Coach Chryst and his family to Pittsburgh," Pederson said. "His remarkable success at Wisconsin is well documented in the form of Big Ten championships and All-America performances. But beyond his achievements on the football field, we believed it was important to find a leader who gets the very best from his players while also developing the kind of culture that fits the University of Pittsburgh. Paul Chryst is that leader and we are anxious for our players and fans to get to know him in the coming days and years." 

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Paul Chryst To Be Pitt's Next Coach, According To Pretty Much Everybody

It's been reported by Pittsburgh media that Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst will likely become the next Pittsburgh Panthers head coach. And by this point, multiple national outlets and Milwaukee media alike have reported the deal is done and Chryst will be announced soon.

Pitt dropped FIU coach Mario Cristobal as a candidate on Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and surely that wouldn't have anything to do with Cristobal losing an exhibition game the night before. Cristobal was the only other candidate remaining, so there we have it.

At this point, it seems, we're just waiting for Pitt to announce a press conference and put some fancy stuff on the front of their website, likely without surname puns some athletic department intern is storing away.

The Pitt job became available earlier in the month, when first-year head coach Todd Graham bolted for pretty much the same salary with the Arizona St. Sun Devils. The Panthers might have come out ahead -- you'd have a hard time rounding up college football fans who believe Graham is a better coach than Chryst, but we'll have to wait and see about all that.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Projecting Paul Chryst's 2012 Pittsburgh Depth Chart: Back To The Ground

Paul Chryst is evidently about to become Pittsburgh's next head coach. His inherited offensive personnel will have gone from run-first, to pass-first, back to run-first in a short amount of time.

Paul Chryst Nearing Deal To Become Pitt Head Coach

The Pitt head coaching search may be nearing an end as Paul Chryst is reportedly near a deal to become the Panthers next head coach. Chryst and Mario Cristobal had emerged as the top candidates for the job left vacant when Todd Graham bolted for Arizona State last week, though it was unclear which was the front-runner.

According to Paul Zeise, Chryst is the guy (two tweets from an hour apart, edited together for clarity).

Again - all signs are pointing to Paul Chryst as next #Pitt coach. Not a "done deal." Unless there is a change or an agreement can't be finalized - I'm told Chryst is the guy. @Pitt

Chryst is currently the Wisconsin offensive coordinator, and is preparing for the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2. If a deal is completed soon, it's unknown whether Chryst would immediately head to Pitt, setting aside his offensive coordinator duties, or if he'd remain with the Badgers. The recruiting dead period began on Monday, so Chryst wouldn't be missing a ton, should he take the job and continue to work with Wisconsin through the bowl.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Pitt Coaching Search: Paul Chryst, Mario Cristobal The Leaders, According To Report

The Pittsburgh Panthers appear to be doing a reasonable job of whittling down their list of head coaching candidates, based on reports, anyway. It's down to FIU head coach Mario Cristobal and Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinaor Paul Chryst, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Jerry DiPaola, which would mean Ohio St. Buckeyes defensive coordinator Luke Fickell has slipped a step behind.

Cristobal has said he doesn't want to comment until after his team's bowl game, but -- lo and behold! -- his team plays Tuesday night. If he's the guy, he could be announced within days as the next Pitt coach. DiPaola reports the Panthers hope to wrap up the search this week, which could coincide with Cristobal's timing.

Or Chryst! His team plays in the Rose Bowl, but since the recruiting dead period has arrived there would be little to stop him from seeing out the Badgers season before taking the job, if he ends up being the pick.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Mario Cristobal, Pitt Each Refutes Report Of Completed Deal

Over the weekend, both the Pittsburgh Panthers and FIU coach Mario Cristobal denied or sidestepped chatter that they're doing business together. Cristobal has reportedly interviewed with Pitt as the Panthers seek Todd Graham's replacement*, but would prefer to leave it at that for the time being:

@gregauman FIU's Mario Cristobal on Pitt rumors: "All I'm really doing is my job as head football coach at FIU and getting ready for this bowl game."

Pitt, meanwhile, blames a very specific kind of report for all the trouble and confusion:

Contrary to Internet reports, the Pitt football head coaching position has not been offered to anyone, nor have any decisions on an offer been made. The search is still an ongoing process.

You never see programs specifically call out NEWSPAPER REPORTS, but that's just life.

* Seeking Todd Graham's replacement is something all of us have to go through at some point in life.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

You Know What Todd Graham Likes Least About The Steelers?

Paul Chryst, Mario Cristobal Interviewed For Pitt Job, According To Reports

Add the name of FIU's Mario Cristobal to a lengthy list of reported candidates for the Pittsburgh Panthers job, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He reportedly interviewed Friday, joining Ohio St. Buckeyes interim head coach (I guess that's what we're still calling him?) Luke Fickell and Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst.

Chryst interviewed for the Pitt job last January, but withdrew once it became apparent the Panthers were dialed in on Todd Graham. Similar story as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who's also said he's interested in the job this time around.

Cristobal has taken Florida International to two straight bowl games, the only such games in the program's brief history. A brief stint with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights was his only apparent experience outside of Florida, save his pro playing career.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Todd Graham's Arizona State Salary The Same As His Pitt Salary

Pitt Coaching Search: Luke Fickell Interested In Panthers Head Coaching Gig

The Pittsburgh Panthers head coaching search to replace Todd Graham, who abruptly left for Arizona State, has hit a myriad of candidates. Most recently however, Ohio State interim head coach Luke Fickell has expressed interest in the position. On Friday, Fickell said that he had spoken to Pitt officials about the head coaching vacancy.

Fickell said he was contacted by Pitt through mutual acquaintances, but he did not describe the conversation as an interview. A formal interview has not been scheduled, he said, and he has not been offered the job.

"Some people you know, know some people there," he said. "I don't know how serious they are."

Fickell took over as the interim head coach for Ohio State when Jim Tressel resigned in the wake of "tattoo-gate" earlier in the year. He led the Buckeyes to a 6-6 record, their first non-winning season since 1999. The Buckeyes earned a berth in the TaxSlayer.Com Gator Bowl against the Florida Gators in Jacksonville, FL. "I really don't know how this whole thing works," Fickell told the Tribune-Review. "Obviously, it's a touchy subject over there how it (Graham's resignation) happened. Things happen fast."

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Paul Rhoads Gets 10-Year Iowa State Contract Extension, Ending Pitt Rumors

As quick as the rumors started, they're now over: Iowa St. Cyclones coach has landed a new, decade-long contract extension, nixing chances of him taking over the Pittsburgh Panthers any time soon. Rhoads had been named the top candidate for the Pitt job by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

@CycloneFB Iowa State head football coach Paul Rhoads has signed a 10-year contract. This was announced by Cyclone AD Jamie Pollard Friday.    

He very well may have been, giving ISU plenty of reason to lock him up. He's highly respected as a motivator and as a fearless big-game coach, having knocked off No. 2 Oklahoma State this year and Nebraska in 2009, nearly tripping up others along the way. The Clones have made two bowl bids in his five years, narrowly missing a third -- he's the second coach since 1978 to take Iowa State bowling. 

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Pitt Coaching Candidates: Paul Rhoads, Ron Zook Among Names Being Reported

The Pittsburgh Panthers need a new head coach, preferably one who'll stick around through next Christmas. Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster has heaved his lunch pail into the ring, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Zeise reports another slew of candidates.

Iowa St. Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads leads the pack, according to Zeise, who also lists Ohio St. Buckeyes defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, Florida St. Seminoles defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, and Northern Illinois Huskies coach Dave Doeren.

Chryst reportedly interviewed for the Illinois and Kansas jobs, and Stoops is believed to be in talks to replace Ted Roof at Auburn.

Oh, and recently fired Illinois Fighting Illini coach Ron Zook, who's also been mentioned from the Florida Gators side:

@GatorZoneScott Another name that has surfaced at Pitt is Ron Zook, a good friend of Pitt AD Steve Pederson, and former #Gators assistant Teryl Austin.    

If Rhoads can take Iowa State to bowl games, surely he could succeed at Pitt. A reassuring list overall, except for the Zook part.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Compass Bowl 2012: Mike Norvell Resigns As Pittsburgh Offensive Coordinator

The Pittsburgh Panthers recently lost head coach Todd Graham, as he took the Arizona State Sun Devils head coaching position. Now, Pitt has lost their offensive coordinator as Mike Norvell resigned today.

Mike Norvell has resigned as #Pitt offensive coordinator. QB coach Todd Dodge will likely call the plays in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) December 16, 2011

Like Todd Graham, Norvell is also Arizona State bound and it's not likely to be the last coach to make the jump. This will be the second season in a row that the Pitt Panthers will be coached in the BBVA Compass Bowl by an interim head coach and obviously the second coach to coach the game for the Panthers in as many seasons.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Bud Foster 'Interested' In Leaving Virginia Tech For Pittsburgh

Longtime Virginia Tech Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster says he's "very interested in the potential" of taking over the Pittsburgh Panthers after Todd Graham's exit, Heather Dinich reports. Foster interviewed the last time the job came open, which was only .95 Graham units of time ago, so it makes sense that he's still interested.

Foster, the 2006 Broyles Award winner, has been in Blacksburg since 1987 and with head coach Frank Beamer since 1981. He hails from Somerset, Kentucky, just a West Virginia away from Pittsburgh. So, yeah, if you're looking for stability after being left during the honeymoon, Foster's a safe bet.

There's hardly a pundit in the land who'd consider Foster a downgrade from Graham. In fact, this all could work out very nicely for the Panthers, who went 6-6 in Graham's lone almost-year in Pennsylvania.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Pitt blog Cardiac Hill and SB Nation Pittsburgh. Also, check in with Virginia Tech blog Gobbler Country. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Todd Graham's Exit Probably Shouldn't Surprise Anybody

Devin Street Goes On Impressive, Lengthy Twitter Rant About Todd Graham

Pitt Vice-Chancellor: Todd Graham 'Failed To Comply With The Terms Of His Contract'

Todd Graham told Pittsburgh Panthers AD Steve Pederson Tuesday evening that he was not allowed to speak with any other university about a coaching vacancy. Wednesday, Graham resigned and took the vacant Arizona State coaching job.

Pittsburgh made an official announcement Wednesday, which opens with a rundown of the events that led to Graham's sudden departure.

Mr. Graham first advised Mr. Pederson of his intentions via telephone Tuesday evening. During that conversation, Graham requested permission to speak to another institution. That permission was denied and he was asked to sit down in person to discuss everyone's best interest in this situation. There had been no earlier indication of a desire to leave his position at Pitt. In fact, he expressly stated that his coaching experiences at the University of Pittsburgh had been entirely positive and that his decision was based solely on personal family reasons.

Pitt executive vice chancellor and general counsel Jerry Cochran was quoted in the statement with what might be the prelude to legal action.

Obviously this is not the way we would have expected Mr. Graham to handle any possible departure...Beyond normal expectations with respect to professional conduct, he has failed to comply with the terms of his contract.

Pederson added that the search for the fourth Pitt head coach in a year has already begun.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Cardiac Hill. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Pitt DC Keith Patterson Named Interim Coach For BBVA Compass Bowl

Now that Todd Graham has left to become the head coach of the Arizona St. Sun Devils, the Pittsburgh Panthers have promoted defensive coordinator Keith Patterson as interim coach for the upcoming BBVA Compass Bowl.

Patterson is in his first season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Pitt. He followed Graham to Pitt from Tulsa, where he spent the past eight seasons. Patterson served as co-defensive coordinator his final five seasons with the Golden Hurricanes.

Prior to joining Tulsa, Patterson was a high school coach in Oklahoma and Texas.

Pitt will play SMU in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, AL on Jan. 7.

In the meantime, Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson is looking forward to finding the next coach at Pitt:

The head football coaching position at the University of Pittsburgh is an outstanding opportunity. As rich as our history has been, I sincerely believe the future can be even greater. Everything is in place for a championship football program on and off the field at Pitt, including a world-class academic institution, state-of-the-art facilities and a tremendous city to call home.

For more from the Panthers' side, visit Cardiac Hill. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Todd Graham Resigned After Pitt Denied Permission To Talk To ASU

The strange tale of how Pittsburgh Panthers coach Todd Graham became Arizona St. Sun Devils coach Todd Graham is only becoming stranger with each new detail.

ESPN's Joe Schad is reporting that Graham asked permission from Pitt AD Steve Pederson to speak with Arizona State about their vacancy. Pederson told Graham he was not allowed to speak with them and he promptly resigned three hours later so that he could take the job.

Of course, if this timing is true, that raises a few questions. Clearly, this move has been in the works for at least a little bit of time. The chances that Graham asked permission, got denied, then spoke to ASU and took the job seems unlikely. Schad has also reported that "Pittsburgh is waiting to hear back from ASU," likely on this issue.

For more Graham's hiring from the Sun Devil perspective, head to House of Sparky; for more from the Panthers' side, visit Cardiac Hill. For more on the 2011 college football coaching carousel, check out our dedicated section.

Todd Graham Told Pitt Players Of Arizona State Hire Via Forwarded Text Message

Todd Graham To Leave Pitt, Become Arizona State's Head Coach, According To Report

Pittsburgh coach Todd Graham is leaving the Steel City after one year to take the same position at ASU.