CC - Paul Chryst
A few weeks ago I did a CC post on a young and innovative Tom Herman as a potential CC. This time I am looking for feedback on another interesting candidate. Paul Chryst is a solid, no-nonsense coach. He runs a tough, run-oriented Pro-Style offense and had great success as OC at Wiscy. He would fit the mold of a "Michigan Man" if he wasn't already a 'Wisconsin Man".
-Only 49 years old
-Midwestern (Big 10 roots)
-8 year tenure at Wisconsin where the Badgers consistently were one of the most powerful (as in power running) and potent offenses in the Big 10
-Has coached offense in College, CFL and NFL
-His overall record at Pitt is 16-16. While he hasn't set Pitt on fire, he has had to convert from a spread to a Pro and played a large number of Freshman last year
By no means is he my top choice, however....
Should we lose out on the Harbaughs, The Miles, The Mullens and we are stuck looking at higher risk coaches, then he should be considered. He would be a "safe, solid" choice, but definitely not a glamorous one.
Thoughts ?
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October 17th, 2014 at 10:29 AM ^
I love his brand of physical offense (not all "pro style" offenses are committed to being physical and HITTIN' PEOPLE. His definitely is). I was impressed by his integrity that he didn't chase the Wisconsin job, which is probably his dream job, because it would have been a real knife to all those Pitt players who dealt with Graham job hopping on them in only 1 year. I was really expecting Pitt to run away with the ACC Coastal this year.
....but they haven't done that. I mean, they're still right in the thick of the ACC Coastal race, but the losses to Iowa and Akron proved that they're still a mediocre team. Them being a Coastal contender is more of an indictment of the division than a sign of major progress. I still think he'll turn Pitt into a top team in the ACC, but it's going to be a slower build than I thought.
I don't know how Michigan can hire him without a lot of stuff going wrong in their coaching search.
October 17th, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^
I'd actually prefer a Spread style coach. Yeah, we'll have to transition our skill position players (and maybe have some transfers - maybe in as well as out) but bottom line, I think we'll score more in the coming years. In fact, I think we'll score more the very first year.
October 17th, 2014 at 10:50 PM ^
Depends on your spread. Kelly transitioned fine from Weis' pro set.
October 17th, 2014 at 4:47 PM ^
As much as I think the program needs to be completely rebooted, for some reason I think Hoke survives this. The one that needs to go is Brandon. But I think Hoke will get one more year. I think he'll make some needed changes to the staff but he'll have his fifth and critical year to show he can put something together to save his job. If not, he'll get the boot at the end of the 2015 season. We'll see what happens at the end of the year.
October 17th, 2014 at 4:48 PM ^
and those two should be our main competition for years to come. And we have the usual recruiting competition from ND and Brian Kelly.
Our next coach needs to be able to strike fear in the three of those coaches. The names that come to mind for me are:
1. Either Harbaugh - likely neither will come
2. Les Miles
3. Butch Jones
4. Dan Mullen
5. Bret Bielema (This one was difficult for me to type - wife likes warm weather I think)
6. Kevin Sumlin
7. Who else do you feel would strike fear in these guys??
8. Maybe Narduzzi??
9. Jon Gruden (Had to add him)
October 17th, 2014 at 7:16 PM ^