Wannstedt tops Pitt's list to replace Harris
Thursday, December 16, 2004
By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears coach Dave Wannstedt spoke with Pitt athletic director Jeff Long yesterday by telephone about the football coaching vacancy at Pitt, according to a source close to the situation.
The two have agreed to sit down and discuss the opening further.
The source said that both sides hope the interview takes place before the end of the week.
Wannstedt, a former Pitt player and assistant coach, seems to be at the top of the list to replace Walt Harris -- who Sunday accepted the head-coaching job at Stanford -- but there are a number of other candidates who will be considered.
That list includes Houston Texans secondary coach Jon Hoke, Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Sal Sunseri and Pitt defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, who all have been contacted by Long about the job.
One other name that could emerge is that of Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, who is very interested in the job. Pitt has contacted Bradley but, contrary to some reports, he has not yet interviewed for the job.
Wannstedt, a Baldwin native, long has been rumored to be the administration's top choice because he has head- coaching experience, has proven himself to be an excellent recruiter, is a former Pitt player and Pittsburgh native, and is well respected nationally.
Pelini has not set up an interview with Long, but sources close to him say he believes he'll arrange one over the next few days. Oklahoma startspractice today for its Orange Bowl game Jan. 4 against Southern California.
That will make it more difficult to schedule an interview with him. But since he is not the primary defensive coordinator, he could leave for a day or two with little disruption.
Hoke told The Associated Press yesterday "I've had conversations with them, I've spoken to [Long] twice, but I think I'll have to leave it at that."
Hoke is a former high school teammate of Long and is also the brother of Ball State coach Brady Hoke. He recently turned down an offer to join Steve Spurrier's staff as defensive coordinator at South Carolina.
Sunseri has been the Panthers' head coach before and was undefeated -- although it was only for one game. He was a Panthers' assistant from 1985 until 1992 under three different coaches. Mike Gottfried was fired after the 1989 season,and Sunseri was named the interim coach for the John Hancock Bowl, which Pitt won, 31-28, against Texas A&M.
After the bowl, Pitt hired Paul Hackett to be the head coach and Sunseri, an All-American linebacker for the Panthers, joined his staff as a defensive assistant. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 1992.
Sunseri seems to be a favorite among many influential alumni because of his strong Pitt ties and reputation as a top recruiter.
Rhoads is the players' choice, and Long already has said he would get an interview. He doesn't have head-coaching experience, but he is young, enthusiastic and considered to possess a brilliant defensive mind. His defenses are a big reason for the Panthers' success in recent years.
Two names that can be crossed off are Akron coach J.D. Brookhart and former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, although it is unclear how serious the administration was about either.
Brookhart, the Panthers' offensive coordinator under Harris from 1999-2003, told the Akron Beacon-Journal that he is not interested in the job, and Solich was hired yesterday as the head coach at Ohio University.
"Naw," he told the paper when asked if he was interested in returning to Pitt. "I'm thrilled to be here [in Akron]. We did some good things this year and we have a great thing going."
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