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Dave Wannstedt wants to bring back the glory days of Pittsburgh football. After a few stacked recruiting classes, this might be the year he finally does it
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 8/28/08, 1:24 AM EST Section: Football Guide
"Pittsburgh is loaded," South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt said. "Dave (Wannstedt) is a great, not good, great coach. That's what concerns me. The way they are building and putting together. They're the real deal."
This year, Wannstedt has the 25th best class with 19 commitments, including three five-star prospects. The influx of talent with no postseason accolades doesn't concern the coach. He's controlling what he can. Last year, the Panthers lost its opening-day quarterback Stull, star wide receiver Derek Kinder and defensive lineman Doug Fulmer, all to injuries.
"Those things happen in the game, and I think that at the University of Pittsburgh our chancellor and now with (Athletic Director) Steve Pederson coming on you know we've got good solid people that understand what's involved. They're intelligent enough to know why things happen."
Or why things don't happen. With its starting quarterback sidelined the Panthers became a one-dimensional team relying heavily on McCoy. The 19-year-old responded with a Big East freshman single-season rushing record with 1,328 yards. But the freshman got little help even when the team upset No. 2 West Virginia. McCoy carried the ball 38 times compared to only 19 pass attempts.
The win though made an impression. After the upset Wannstedt received an extension through 2012. Three more years of reestablishing the tradition he helped build.
"We've had a couple of disappointing seasons in the past," said Kinder, who has missed the last year and a half with a torn ACL. "So we're definitely trying to get that tradition back and I can see us getting it back."
Maybe that's why Wannstedt wears is his 1976 National Championship ring everyday.
"It's just a reminder that you know a lot of schools talk about winning a championship, you read it in books," Wannstedt said. "And I think all the ring does it's a reminder that 'Hey we've been there, we've done it. We have that tradition.' It's live. It's not something you're reading about in storybooks."
This year, Wannstedt has the 25th best class with 19 commitments, including three five-star prospects. The influx of talent with no postseason accolades doesn't concern the coach. He's controlling what he can. Last year, the Panthers lost its opening-day quarterback Stull, star wide receiver Derek Kinder and defensive lineman Doug Fulmer, all to injuries.
"Those things happen in the game, and I think that at the University of Pittsburgh our chancellor and now with (Athletic Director) Steve Pederson coming on you know we've got good solid people that understand what's involved. They're intelligent enough to know why things happen."
Or why things don't happen. With its starting quarterback sidelined the Panthers became a one-dimensional team relying heavily on McCoy. The 19-year-old responded with a Big East freshman single-season rushing record with 1,328 yards. But the freshman got little help even when the team upset No. 2 West Virginia. McCoy carried the ball 38 times compared to only 19 pass attempts.
The win though made an impression. After the upset Wannstedt received an extension through 2012. Three more years of reestablishing the tradition he helped build.
"We've had a couple of disappointing seasons in the past," said Kinder, who has missed the last year and a half with a torn ACL. "So we're definitely trying to get that tradition back and I can see us getting it back."
Maybe that's why Wannstedt wears is his 1976 National Championship ring everyday.
"It's just a reminder that you know a lot of schools talk about winning a championship, you read it in books," Wannstedt said. "And I think all the ring does it's a reminder that 'Hey we've been there, we've done it. We have that tradition.' It's live. It's not something you're reading about in storybooks."
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