A realistic assessment of why Pitt Football has been struggling in mediocrity for the past 30 years and what needs to be done to make it Great again. It can be done:
#1): Pitt's Administration: This is the number one issue with Pitt Football and Pitt Athletics. If you read the history of Pitt, they have always been the problem. They forced Jock Sutherland out at Pitt when Pitt was on top of the world. They couldn't stand the success of Jackie Sherril and instead of doing whatever they could to retain him and grow Pitt Football they facilitated him leaving. They didn't support Walt Harris when he had shown success and essentially saved Pitt Football. Honestly, theire is a "Deep State" or should I say " Deep Penn State" within Pitt's Administration. They need to purge itself of all Penn State graduates and all members not in support of Athletics. The University needs to make the Athletic Department and especially Pitt Football a top priority. Heather Lyke is the best Athletic Director Pitt has had in years she needs to have 1000% support.
#2): The Stadium: First of all, tearing down Pitt Stadium was an idiotic move. They could have renovated Pitt Stadium, eliminated the track, moved the football field to 1 end and had a modern 45,000 - 50,000 seat facility. AND built a 12,000 Seat Basketball arena at the other end. Again, the football field had an 8 Lane Olympic Track around it. This is all on Nordenberg. He literally thought Basketball was the driver and he was willing to kill off Pitt Football.
Given that, We are in Heinz Field for the foreseeable future and there are things that can and should be done to Heinz to make it more of a home to Pitt.
#1: Shut off the upper sections and only sell seats in the lower bowl. This would accommodate 40,000 fans and improve the atmosphere. For opponents that would draw large crowds ( WVU, ND, Championship Games ) sell tickets on a game by game basis in the upper decks.
#2: Install Field Turf. This would enable Pitt to have the markings on the field that Pitt deserves. It's logo at midfield, ACC Logo's on the Field, Pitt Logos in the end zones. Appeasing the Steelers every wish sucks. The present situation is terrible for Pitt.
#3: Figure out how to build a new Pitt Stadium, on campus, and to be playing games there by the 2030 Season.
#3): Coaching: You created this freaking mess Pitt Administration you need to fix it. The quickest way to rectify the situation is to win. The quickest way to win is to hire a coaching staff that knows how to win. This means hiring a proven winner. Everyone hoped Narduzzi would be successful at Pitt. It appears he won't be more than mediocre. He is not a great recruiter ( maybe he is not cheating? Then he better start to cheat and get the athletes ) nor is he a great game day coach. Pitt is going to have to inject money into the football program to hire a proven coach and support him so he can build a winner. Jim Tressel, Bob Stoops, A proven fcs Championship Coach, an ex NFL coach with ties to Pitt like Mike McCarthy. Pitt needs a great head coach and they need to be willing to pay him big bucks to keep him once successful.
Again, people support winners. Think back to 2009: Pitt played Cincinnati at Heinz Field in front of 68,000 fans for the Championship of the Big East. Cincinnati had at most 5,000 fans. If you win, people will show up. If the Steelers went 2-14 for 3 years what would be their attendance?
Pitt Football can certainly be great again. It starts with Great Support from the Administration.
#1): Pitt's Administration: This is the number one issue with Pitt Football and Pitt Athletics. If you read the history of Pitt, they have always been the problem. They forced Jock Sutherland out at Pitt when Pitt was on top of the world. They couldn't stand the success of Jackie Sherril and instead of doing whatever they could to retain him and grow Pitt Football they facilitated him leaving. They didn't support Walt Harris when he had shown success and essentially saved Pitt Football. Honestly, theire is a "Deep State" or should I say " Deep Penn State" within Pitt's Administration. They need to purge itself of all Penn State graduates and all members not in support of Athletics. The University needs to make the Athletic Department and especially Pitt Football a top priority. Heather Lyke is the best Athletic Director Pitt has had in years she needs to have 1000% support.
#2): The Stadium: First of all, tearing down Pitt Stadium was an idiotic move. They could have renovated Pitt Stadium, eliminated the track, moved the football field to 1 end and had a modern 45,000 - 50,000 seat facility. AND built a 12,000 Seat Basketball arena at the other end. Again, the football field had an 8 Lane Olympic Track around it. This is all on Nordenberg. He literally thought Basketball was the driver and he was willing to kill off Pitt Football.
Given that, We are in Heinz Field for the foreseeable future and there are things that can and should be done to Heinz to make it more of a home to Pitt.
#1: Shut off the upper sections and only sell seats in the lower bowl. This would accommodate 40,000 fans and improve the atmosphere. For opponents that would draw large crowds ( WVU, ND, Championship Games ) sell tickets on a game by game basis in the upper decks.
#2: Install Field Turf. This would enable Pitt to have the markings on the field that Pitt deserves. It's logo at midfield, ACC Logo's on the Field, Pitt Logos in the end zones. Appeasing the Steelers every wish sucks. The present situation is terrible for Pitt.
#3: Figure out how to build a new Pitt Stadium, on campus, and to be playing games there by the 2030 Season.
#3): Coaching: You created this freaking mess Pitt Administration you need to fix it. The quickest way to rectify the situation is to win. The quickest way to win is to hire a coaching staff that knows how to win. This means hiring a proven winner. Everyone hoped Narduzzi would be successful at Pitt. It appears he won't be more than mediocre. He is not a great recruiter ( maybe he is not cheating? Then he better start to cheat and get the athletes ) nor is he a great game day coach. Pitt is going to have to inject money into the football program to hire a proven coach and support him so he can build a winner. Jim Tressel, Bob Stoops, A proven fcs Championship Coach, an ex NFL coach with ties to Pitt like Mike McCarthy. Pitt needs a great head coach and they need to be willing to pay him big bucks to keep him once successful.
Again, people support winners. Think back to 2009: Pitt played Cincinnati at Heinz Field in front of 68,000 fans for the Championship of the Big East. Cincinnati had at most 5,000 fans. If you win, people will show up. If the Steelers went 2-14 for 3 years what would be their attendance?
Pitt Football can certainly be great again. It starts with Great Support from the Administration.
