Another reboot for Pitt
Panthers’ Chryst focused on rebuilding program after coaching carousel
Associated Peess
PITTSBURGH
Forget about the coaching change. Disregard all the talk about moving to the ACC next summer.
Paul Chryst doesn’t really want to hear it.
The new Pitt coach — the program’s fourth in the last two years — understands why his arrival and the school’s looming departure from the Big East are hot topics. He’d just rather talk about something else.
Like say, the team he’s trying to build.
“Anything but focusing on this year and this game, this week, this practice, anything less than that would be cheating everyone,” Chryst said.
Something Chryst has vowed will not happen. The way he figures it, the future will take care of itself. Pitt’s move to the ACC will be official next July. After finally landing a head coaching job, the 46-year-old has no plans on going anywhere anytime soon, unlike his predecessor.
Todd Graham lasted all of 338 days on the job before sprinting west to Arizona State. Chryst doesn’t sprint anywhere. Besides, he’s starting to get comfortable at the whole “being in charge” thing.
He’s also comfortable with deflecting any outside pressure on his players. He doesn’t ascribe to the theory it takes a new coach a few years to get his feet set and be successful.
“I never have been concerned with what type of team are we gonna be, what do we have a chance for our record to be and I don’t think that’s just because I wasn’t a head coach before,” he said. “The whole year, there are opportunities for growth. Are we doing everything? Are we doing the right things? Are we helping these guys maximize their abilities, maximize their opportunities? That’s what we’re aiming for.”
Chryst spent the first few months getting to know his players and earning their trust. The no-nonsense approach he brings has been a hit in the locker room, which tired quickly of Graham’s catchphrases and was hurt by his tactless exit.
The straightforward Chryst would rather his players show him what they can do rather than tell them what they’re doing wrong.
“His motto is ‘put it on tape,’ and I really like that motto,” quarterback Tino Sunseri said. “You can sit in the film room as much as you want, and say that you understand most of everything that’s going on, but unless you put it on tape it really doesn’t matter. Guys have really embraced that role.”
Perhaps no one more than Sunseri. The senior was one of Graham’s favorite targets last season, chastised for his indecisiveness and hung out to dry when things went south. The lack of a confidence boost from the coaching staff affected his decision-making, and he passed for just 11 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while playing behind an offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the country.