Not even sure where to start. Let’s try 1972 when I was 9 and moved to Pittsburgh. Within a year I became good friends with Dave Dyer, Pitt DL coach Jim Dyer’s son because my dad and Jim were very close. Most of the next 4 years I was living and breathing Pitt sports. In that period we also joined the Pittsburgh Field Club which has always been a huge Pitt fraternity. As devastating as it was to lose the Dyers to Tennessee when Majors left Pitt was now a part of my DNA.
Jump to 1993 and the birth of my son, Mickey. He never had a chance lol. His first socks were obviously Pitt Panther socks. His entire childhood was centered around Pitt football and Pitt basketball. Then almost like God’s plan was written by me on Pitt stationary Mickey joins the Pitt coaching staff just in time for a run to an ACC Championship. He has the ring to prove it haha. He gets a solid QC position at Buffalo and before he is 2 weeks removed from spring ball Duquesne brings him back to where he played and won 4 rings as a player and volunteer defensive assistant. Jerry Schmitz hired Mick to coach Safeties. Here’s where the journey hits the fast track. Less than a year after Mick officially starts his coaching career Duquesne’s DC decided to take the Pitt Defensive QC position opening up the DC position at Duquesne. Long story short Jerry decides to go with Co DCs with Mick calling the D. Then about a month later the other Co DC decides to go into family business leaving a 30 year old with 1 year of coaching experience as Duquesne’s DC and one of the youngest D1 DCs in the country. Mickey installed Pitt’s base and probably 90% of Duzz’s D. Mickey’s first year was very good. He won a national DC of the week award after the St Francis game. Duquesne D ranking in most areas had big upgrades nationally.
Now my family is blessed that Mickey will be coming home as a DC to coach and call a game against the program that he loves and is in his blood. I can’t even explain his love and loyalty to Duzz, Sanders and Manulac. The thought of Mickey standing with Duzz at midfield pregame is almost unthinkable.
Lastly, I post this for one reason. Mickey is you! A total and true Pitt man. Born, raised and trained by all things Pitt. So, the countdown has begun and I can barely wait.
Jump to 1993 and the birth of my son, Mickey. He never had a chance lol. His first socks were obviously Pitt Panther socks. His entire childhood was centered around Pitt football and Pitt basketball. Then almost like God’s plan was written by me on Pitt stationary Mickey joins the Pitt coaching staff just in time for a run to an ACC Championship. He has the ring to prove it haha. He gets a solid QC position at Buffalo and before he is 2 weeks removed from spring ball Duquesne brings him back to where he played and won 4 rings as a player and volunteer defensive assistant. Jerry Schmitz hired Mick to coach Safeties. Here’s where the journey hits the fast track. Less than a year after Mick officially starts his coaching career Duquesne’s DC decided to take the Pitt Defensive QC position opening up the DC position at Duquesne. Long story short Jerry decides to go with Co DCs with Mick calling the D. Then about a month later the other Co DC decides to go into family business leaving a 30 year old with 1 year of coaching experience as Duquesne’s DC and one of the youngest D1 DCs in the country. Mickey installed Pitt’s base and probably 90% of Duzz’s D. Mickey’s first year was very good. He won a national DC of the week award after the St Francis game. Duquesne D ranking in most areas had big upgrades nationally.
Now my family is blessed that Mickey will be coming home as a DC to coach and call a game against the program that he loves and is in his blood. I can’t even explain his love and loyalty to Duzz, Sanders and Manulac. The thought of Mickey standing with Duzz at midfield pregame is almost unthinkable.
Lastly, I post this for one reason. Mickey is you! A total and true Pitt man. Born, raised and trained by all things Pitt. So, the countdown has begun and I can barely wait.
