By Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven [10] on Twitter)
With Todd Graham leaving for Arizona State, Pittsburgh has to embark on its third coaching search in the last two seasons. Mike Haywood was hired to replace Dave Wannstedt last December, but was fired two weeks later due to a domestic violence charge. Graham was hired from Tulsa to replace Haywood, but chose to depart after just one season.
Who will replace Todd Graham at Pittsburgh?
Steve Addazio, head coach, Temple – Addazio is in his first season as a collegiate head coach, leading Temple to an 8-4 regular season record and a berth in the New Mexico Bowl. He is regarded as a good recruiter and has spent time as an assistant at Notre Dame, Indiana and Florida. Addazio is very familiar with the East Coast, as he grew up in Connecticut and worked there as a head coach on the high school level. There's very little track record as a head coach on the FBS level, but Addazio's ability to recruit and success with the Owls in 2011 makes him an intriguing candidate for Pittsburgh.
Teryl Austin, defensive backs coach, Baltimore Ravens – Austin’s name popped up in last season’s coaching search and will likely do so once again. He played at Pittsburgh from 1984-87 and was born in Sharon, Pa., so there's certainly a lot of familiarity with the Panthers. He has plenty of experience on the college level, working at Penn State (1991-92), Wake Forest (1993-95), Syracuse (1996-98), Michigan (1999-02) and at Florida in 2010. Austin has never been a head coach, but he has a solid resume and NFL experience.
Tom Bradley, interim Penn State coach – Bradley nearly landed the Pittsburgh job last season and figures to be in the mix once again. However, he is also in the running to keep the full-time spot at Penn State. Bradley was born in Johnstown, Pa. and has spent his entire coaching career at Penn State. His blue-collar attitude and approach would work well in Pittsburgh, but he has very limited experience as a head coach. One tricky question that must be answered: Is Bradley too toxic after the situation at Penn State? Although Bradley would be a solid hire, it would be difficult for Pittsburgh to hire him after what transpired in Happy Valley this season.
Paul Chryst, offensive coordinator, Wisconsin – Chryst is a highly-regarded offensive mind and seems ready for his first head coaching position. Under his direction, Wisconsin has led the Big Ten in scoring offense for three consecutive years and finished fourth nationally in scoring with an average of 44.6 points a game in 2011. Chyrst has stops as an assistant at Oregon State and in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers. He graduated from Wisconsin in 1988, so he may not be anxious to leave Madison. However, Bret Bielema is entrenched as the head coach, so he will have to look outside of Wisconsin for a chance to lead a program. Chryst wouldn't be flashy, but all signs point to him being a successful head coach.
Frank Cignetti, offensive coordinator, Rutgers – Cignetti is a Pittsburgh native, and it would be a major surprise if he didn't have interest in the position. He has been a successful assistant throughout his career, making stops with Fresno State, North Carolina, California and Rutgers, along with NFL experience in Kansas City, New Orleans and San Francisco. Cignetti had a short stint as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator under Dave Wannstedt from 2009-10. Although he has never been a head coach, Cignetti’s background and experience at Pittsburgh has to be attractive for athletic director Steve Pederson.
Mario Cristobal, head coach, FIU – There's no question Cristobal is one of the top coaches from a non-AQ school. But is he ready to make the jump to a BCS job? Cristobal inherited a disaster at FIU and has recorded a 24-37 record in five seasons, while leading the Golden Panthers to back-to-back bowl games. He played at Miami and has spent most of his coaching career in South Florida, so he may not be eager to take a job out of the state. Hiring Cristobal would be a home run for Pittsburgh, but the interest may not be mutual.
Ron English, head coach, Eastern Michigan – Coaching at Eastern Michigan is arguably one of the toughest jobs in college football. The Eagles have had just two seasons of at least six victories since 1988. English went 2-22 in his first two seasons in Ypsilanti, but led Eastern Michigan to a 6-6 record in 2011. He also has made stops as an assistant at San Diego State, Arizona State, Michigan and Louisville. English’s background on defense and blue-collar approach would be a good fit in Pittsburgh. Like Paul Chryst, English would not be a flashy name, but would be a good hire for a program that needs stability.
K.C. Keeler, head coach, Delaware – Keeler has very successful on the FCS level, leading Delaware to an 81-46 record over the last 10 years. Also, the Blue Hens have made four playoff appearances under his watch, including a FCS championship in 2003. Before coming to Delaware, Keeler was also a successful head coach at Rowan, posting an 88-21-1 record in nine years. He grew up in Emmaus, Pa., but graduated from Delaware, so he may not be too interested in leaving - even for a chance to land a good FBS job.
Chad Morris, offensive coordinator, Clemson – Morris recently inked a lengthy extension at Clemson, but an opportunity to be a head coach could be enough to convince him to leave Death Valley. He has experienced a quick rise through the coaching ranks, as he has spent just two seasons on the FBS level. Morris coordinated a Tulsa offense that averaged 41.4 points a game last season, while leading the Tigers to an average of 33.6 this year. Before coming to Tulsa in 2010, Morris was a high school coach at Lake Travis in Texas. Not having collegiate head coaching experience has to work against Morris, but he’s emerging as one of the top offensive minds in college football.
Pat Narduzzi, defensive coordinator, Michigan State – Narduzzi has been steadily moving up the coaching ranks over the last 10 years. He worked at Miami (Ohio) in 2003 as defensive coordinator, before jumping to take the same position at Cincinnati with Mark Dantonio in 2004. He joined Dantonio at Michigan State in 2007 and has developed one of the top defenses in college football this season. The only blemish on Narduzzi’s resume is the lack of head coaching experience. It's only a matter of time before Narduzzi lands a FBS head coaching gig - but is he ready to lead a BCS school? Considering Pittsburgh needs stability, choosing someone with no head coaching experience could be risky.
Paul Rhoads, head coach, Iowa State – Luring Rhoads away from Iowa State won’t be easy. But it would be a mistake if Pittsburgh didn't at least call about his interest. Rhoads has been one of the nation’s most underrated coaches over the last three years, leading the Cyclones to an 18-19 record and two bowl appearances. He previously coached at Pittsburgh as the defensive coordinator from 2000-07. Rhoads is a coach with a blue-collar attitude, which will work well in Pittsburgh. Considering Rhoads is from Iowa, leaving behind the Cyclones could be difficult. However, winning at Pittsburgh in the Big East (until 2014) is an easier road to handle than the Big 12.
Sal Sunseri, outside linebackers coach, Alabama – Although he has no extended head coaching experience, Sunseri has to be an attractive target for Pittsburgh. He played with the Panthers from 1978-81 and worked at the school from 1985-92 as a defensive assistant. Sunseri also has stops as an assistant at Louisville, LSU, Michigan State and with the Carolina Panthers. He joined Alabama’s staff in 2009, working with the outside linebackers and serving as an assistant head coach to Nick Saban. Considering Sunseri’s playing and coaching experience, he would likely consider this a destination job and wouldn’t be looking to bolt anytime soon (if ever).
Mark Stoops, defensive coordinator, Florida State – Stoops has been rumored to be a target for the open Auburn defensive coordinator position, but for now, appears to be staying at Florida State. Stoops is due for his first coaching position soon, and he’s paid his dues as an assistant, working at South Florida, Wyoming, Houston, Miami and Arizona. He has no connections to Pennsylvania, but grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, so he is somewhat familiar with the area. And his recruiting connections in Florida could pay dividends if he is hired at Pittsburgh. Florida State is bringing back one of the top defenses in college football next season, which could entice Stoops to stick around and raise his profile for 2012 openings.
Willie Taggart, head coach, Western Kentucky – Taggart signed an extension at Western Kentucky this offseason, but that likely won’t stop Pittsburgh from pursuing him if it is interested. The Hilltoppers won just two games in the two years prior to his arrival, but Taggart has brought steady improvement, leading Western Kentucky to a 7-5 record this season. He worked under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford from 2007-09 and is one of the youngest head coaches (35) in college football.
Longshots
Bud Foster, defensive coordinator, Virginia Tech – Despite opportunities to interview as a head coach – including Pittsburgh last season – Foster has been content to remain an assistant with Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. He has coordinated the Hokies’ defense since 1995, emerging as one of the top assistants in college football during that span. With the Panthers moving to the ACC in 2014, would Foster want to compete against Beamer? Or is he content to remain a defensive coordinator? Considering Foster's history of sticking around in Blacksburg, it would be a surprise if he left for Pittsburgh.
Todd Haley, former Kansas City Chiefs coach – Haley spent a good chunk of his youth in Pittsburgh, as his dad (Dick Haley) worked as the Steelers’ player personnel director from 1971-1990. Although Haley is certainly familiar with the area, he does not have any collegiate head coaching experience. However, Pittsburgh athletic director Steve Pederson hired a NFL dropout (Bill Callahan) at Nebraska, which makes Haley one to keep on the radar.
Jeff Jagodzinski, former Boston College head coach – It’s been a surprise Jagodzinski hasn’t landed another college head coaching position after two successful years at Boston College. He did not have an amicable divorce from the Eagles, as he was fired for interviewing with the Jets for their head coaching position at the end of the 2008 season. Since getting canned from Boston College, he has spent one year with the Buccaneers and one with the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.
Pete Lembo, head coach, Ball State – If you are looking for a wildcard to watch in this search, Lembo is the name to remember. He recorded a 44-14 record and two FCS apperances in five seasons at Lehigh, before leading Elon to a 35-22 record and one playoff appearance in five years. After finishing with six victories in the two years prior to Lembo’s arrival, the Cardinals won six games in 2011. Lembo is a bright offensive mind and has had success at every stop.
Randy Shannon, former Miami head coach – Shannon has no ties to the Pittsburgh area, but has head coaching experience, posting a 28-22 record in four years at Miami. Although he didn’t have tremendous success on the field, Shannon helped to cut down the off-the-field incidents and improve the Hurricanes’ work in the classroom. After a disappointing tenure at Miami, he is hungry to get back in the mix and prove he can have more success on the sidelines than he did with the Hurricanes.
Brent Venables, defensive coordinator, Oklahoma – Venables is regarded as one of the top defensive coordinators in college football, working as Oklahoma’s defensive coordinator since 2004. He is a Kansas native and has only coached in the Midwest, so it seems unlikely he would jump at an opportunity to coach at Pittsburgh.
