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.