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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
Dave Wannstedt knows the Pittsburgh mentality. The Panthers' head coach grew up in Baldwin, Pa., a little more than eight miles from the Steel City.
"Pittsburgh is a blue collar town, and I'd like to think that's the type of person I am in my background and my work ethic," Wannstedt said. "And I think that is reflected in our football team."
Wannstedt first brought his hard-nosed attitude to the Panthers as a player from 1970-73. After a short hiatus away from his alma mater, he returned in 1975 as a graduate assistant and was a part of the team that won a national championship in 1976. Now, more than thirty years later, he's the head coach.
Bringing back that successful tradition has been a slow task so far, though. As a head coach Wannstedt is 16-19, his team posting its best record under him two years ago at 6-6. But with a series of touted recruiting classes assembled, many pundits are picking Wannstedt's squad to be a breakthrough team this year.
"I'll tell you what, they picked the right guy for the job," said sophomore running back LeSean McCoy. "He brings so much to the university. He's just a Pittsburgh guy."
Wannstedt's head coaching career has began much like his playing career with the Panthers. During Wannstedt's time as a player, the Panthers were 10-23, with a Fiesta Bowl birth his senior year after a 6-5 record. It wasn't until he returned as a graduate assistant when Pitt saw its greatest success.
The pressure to bring the Panthers back to its glory day could be increasing. The past two years he's brought in an exceptional recruiting class. In 2006, Pitt had the 11th best freshmen class in the nation, according to Scout.com, and last year the eighth-best class in the nation. Internet websites are not the only sources noticing the talented Panthers.
This year, Pittsburgh will be relying on some of those former top recruits - such as McCoy and junior quarterback Bill Stull - to take the team to the next level.
"Pittsburgh is a blue collar town, and I'd like to think that's the type of person I am in my background and my work ethic," Wannstedt said. "And I think that is reflected in our football team."
Wannstedt first brought his hard-nosed attitude to the Panthers as a player from 1970-73. After a short hiatus away from his alma mater, he returned in 1975 as a graduate assistant and was a part of the team that won a national championship in 1976. Now, more than thirty years later, he's the head coach.
Bringing back that successful tradition has been a slow task so far, though. As a head coach Wannstedt is 16-19, his team posting its best record under him two years ago at 6-6. But with a series of touted recruiting classes assembled, many pundits are picking Wannstedt's squad to be a breakthrough team this year.
"I'll tell you what, they picked the right guy for the job," said sophomore running back LeSean McCoy. "He brings so much to the university. He's just a Pittsburgh guy."
Wannstedt's head coaching career has began much like his playing career with the Panthers. During Wannstedt's time as a player, the Panthers were 10-23, with a Fiesta Bowl birth his senior year after a 6-5 record. It wasn't until he returned as a graduate assistant when Pitt saw its greatest success.
The pressure to bring the Panthers back to its glory day could be increasing. The past two years he's brought in an exceptional recruiting class. In 2006, Pitt had the 11th best freshmen class in the nation, according to Scout.com, and last year the eighth-best class in the nation. Internet websites are not the only sources noticing the talented Panthers.
This year, Pittsburgh will be relying on some of those former top recruits - such as McCoy and junior quarterback Bill Stull - to take the team to the next level.
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