I try to be as realistic as possible as a Pitt fan. This season I had my expectations at: 8-3: good, 9-2: great, 7-4 or worse: mediocre/bad. With what we had returning, a veteran QB and offensive line, decent weapons, and a top 25 defense, I felt this was realistic. This was supposed to be Duzz's best year.
Well we currently sit at 3-4 with a couple embarrassing performances so far and some evidence of "quit" in the players and staff. The bye week could provide a mental reset for everyone and maybe we can win a couple games down the stretch and go 5-6 or 6-5. At this point, that seems unrealistic. And even then, this season is a major disappointment.
To Duzz, he's a lame duck coach right now. Best case for him, he makes it through this season, picks off a game or two, and is able to survive strictly because of his contract and the covid/financial situation for Pitts Athletic Dept. Looking at next season's roster, assuming Pickett is gone, the outlook is bleak. Many key defensive players gone, best OLinemen gone. Assuming a 12 game season (I know its early), but I mean realistic expectations put next season probably around the 6-6 mark. I struggle to see the talent for anything more, especially with a new QB. So that leaves missing a bowl game completely and realistically in play.
So the million dollar question is, do you fire him after this season, or after next season when the outcome will likely and realistically be similar? If you can scrounge around enough funds to negotiate a buyout, cutting ties now would be best for the program. Apathy has set in. Again, I'm a realistic Pitt fan. I'm not a debbie downer and a lot of my friends are the same way. We've been supportive of Duzz when others have not. We're all out on him. I can no longer support this staff which has proven at best this is a 7-5, 8-4, frustratingly mediocre program. That is Duzz's ceiling. The sooner our administration realizes this, the better. As a recent grad, I was going to buy season tickets for this year before COVID hit. Then I figured, I'll buy them next year. If this staff is still around, it's not worth the investment. I'll wait until we get some new blood in here and a new direction. Not going to support a lame duck.
So what about the future and potential of this program? Financially, I can't imagine Pitt has much if any cash to throw around right now. But let's say they do cut ties with Duzz after the season. Heather's first, second, third, fourth, and fifth calls should be too offensive minded, modern-day CFB coaches. No more archaic schemes and conservative defensive coaches. We've seen it here, unless you find an elite guy, it's not going to work. My REALISTIC list is as follows:
1) Dave Clawson. Saw his name come up on another thread and I like it a lot. This would be my first call. Guy has overachieved at Wake and hit his ceiling. Northeast ties and Steeler/Pirate fan. Offensive, modern coach. Would he take the job? Worth the call.
2) Joe Moorhead. Obvious one. Western PA ties and offensive minded. Rumored to have been considered last time around. HC experience and kinda got a raw deal down in Mississippi St where it wasn't the best fit. This makes sense and he'd take it I think.
3) Tony Elliott. Young up and comer. Will be a hot name this offseason and in the future. Clemson OC. Worth the call.
Other names: Fickell (defensive but probably a class above Duzz, HC experience and is going a good job at Cincy), Jason Candle (shine has wore off of late but a young offensive guy from Toledo with energy, could do worse), tbd
Interested to see how the team plays after this bye. It can't get any worse... right?
Well we currently sit at 3-4 with a couple embarrassing performances so far and some evidence of "quit" in the players and staff. The bye week could provide a mental reset for everyone and maybe we can win a couple games down the stretch and go 5-6 or 6-5. At this point, that seems unrealistic. And even then, this season is a major disappointment.
To Duzz, he's a lame duck coach right now. Best case for him, he makes it through this season, picks off a game or two, and is able to survive strictly because of his contract and the covid/financial situation for Pitts Athletic Dept. Looking at next season's roster, assuming Pickett is gone, the outlook is bleak. Many key defensive players gone, best OLinemen gone. Assuming a 12 game season (I know its early), but I mean realistic expectations put next season probably around the 6-6 mark. I struggle to see the talent for anything more, especially with a new QB. So that leaves missing a bowl game completely and realistically in play.
So the million dollar question is, do you fire him after this season, or after next season when the outcome will likely and realistically be similar? If you can scrounge around enough funds to negotiate a buyout, cutting ties now would be best for the program. Apathy has set in. Again, I'm a realistic Pitt fan. I'm not a debbie downer and a lot of my friends are the same way. We've been supportive of Duzz when others have not. We're all out on him. I can no longer support this staff which has proven at best this is a 7-5, 8-4, frustratingly mediocre program. That is Duzz's ceiling. The sooner our administration realizes this, the better. As a recent grad, I was going to buy season tickets for this year before COVID hit. Then I figured, I'll buy them next year. If this staff is still around, it's not worth the investment. I'll wait until we get some new blood in here and a new direction. Not going to support a lame duck.
So what about the future and potential of this program? Financially, I can't imagine Pitt has much if any cash to throw around right now. But let's say they do cut ties with Duzz after the season. Heather's first, second, third, fourth, and fifth calls should be too offensive minded, modern-day CFB coaches. No more archaic schemes and conservative defensive coaches. We've seen it here, unless you find an elite guy, it's not going to work. My REALISTIC list is as follows:
1) Dave Clawson. Saw his name come up on another thread and I like it a lot. This would be my first call. Guy has overachieved at Wake and hit his ceiling. Northeast ties and Steeler/Pirate fan. Offensive, modern coach. Would he take the job? Worth the call.
2) Joe Moorhead. Obvious one. Western PA ties and offensive minded. Rumored to have been considered last time around. HC experience and kinda got a raw deal down in Mississippi St where it wasn't the best fit. This makes sense and he'd take it I think.
3) Tony Elliott. Young up and comer. Will be a hot name this offseason and in the future. Clemson OC. Worth the call.
Other names: Fickell (defensive but probably a class above Duzz, HC experience and is going a good job at Cincy), Jason Candle (shine has wore off of late but a young offensive guy from Toledo with energy, could do worse), tbd
Interested to see how the team plays after this bye. It can't get any worse... right?
