As one who follows wrestling closely, I've always believed the Pitt wrestling program was not living up to expectations. Not because the last couple coaches were inept, they were not, and in fact, good people. Randy S. is as good as a human being you will find and had a positive impact on the lives of many of the Pitt wrestlers, including Keith Gavin. When he retired, Pitt did not do a national search, which could have yielded a top notch coach with a big reputation. Pitt is in the "hotbed" of wrestling and talent is not an issue. Pitt, with the right coach and commitment should be a top 10 program every year with individual national champs.
That said, getting a coach that has personally done things on a "big stage" is critical in recruiting. Kids want to wrestle for someone that has achieved a goal they strive for, especially at the college level..Becoming a NCAA Champ. While Santoro has done that(Multiple NCAA Champ) and that has carried over to a successful HC career. It was obvious, a potential home run hire. It did not happen...turn the page
Keith Gavin only lacks HC experience, not coaching experience. His stints at VA and OK as a top assistant have prepared him well. The thing Keith has, and its a big deal, is he's done it on the mat. NCAA champ and even bigger is his international freestyle and World team experience. There is know doubt, from what I have heard in wrestling circles he is a top notch technician and driven. Keith even admits that he was not the most talented and that it was through hard work and attention to detail that made him a success. These qualities make him an intriguing hire and would bode well on the recruiting trail and in the wrestling room. Add, Jordan Leen, another young and successful assistant who himself was a NCAA champ at Cornell and recruited WPA for VA and it makes for a nice staff.
Mick Phillippi could be a "game changer" for this program and this young staff. No Mick can't contribute immediately, but he is the type of LOCAL thoroughbred that this program longs for to build it into a National power. Phillippi is the real deal on the mat, a 3x state Pa champ, and was turning heads in open tournaments while he red shirted. Mick loves the sport and is driven to the core and fearless. These qualities will make him a star at Pitt. Phillippi wanted to be close to home but would not have sacrificed his goals for that reason alone. A big reason Pitt got Phillippi, is the kid believes in Gavin and Leen(been around them) and can get him to his goals. That is why, local kids will start to stand up and take notice. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any sport and getting the right pieces in place to build on it are so important. This was a big week for Pitt wrestling, and the outlook for this program and staff got a lot brighter. Bigs things are happening and this was just the beginning.
That said, getting a coach that has personally done things on a "big stage" is critical in recruiting. Kids want to wrestle for someone that has achieved a goal they strive for, especially at the college level..Becoming a NCAA Champ. While Santoro has done that(Multiple NCAA Champ) and that has carried over to a successful HC career. It was obvious, a potential home run hire. It did not happen...turn the page
Keith Gavin only lacks HC experience, not coaching experience. His stints at VA and OK as a top assistant have prepared him well. The thing Keith has, and its a big deal, is he's done it on the mat. NCAA champ and even bigger is his international freestyle and World team experience. There is know doubt, from what I have heard in wrestling circles he is a top notch technician and driven. Keith even admits that he was not the most talented and that it was through hard work and attention to detail that made him a success. These qualities make him an intriguing hire and would bode well on the recruiting trail and in the wrestling room. Add, Jordan Leen, another young and successful assistant who himself was a NCAA champ at Cornell and recruited WPA for VA and it makes for a nice staff.
Mick Phillippi could be a "game changer" for this program and this young staff. No Mick can't contribute immediately, but he is the type of LOCAL thoroughbred that this program longs for to build it into a National power. Phillippi is the real deal on the mat, a 3x state Pa champ, and was turning heads in open tournaments while he red shirted. Mick loves the sport and is driven to the core and fearless. These qualities will make him a star at Pitt. Phillippi wanted to be close to home but would not have sacrificed his goals for that reason alone. A big reason Pitt got Phillippi, is the kid believes in Gavin and Leen(been around them) and can get him to his goals. That is why, local kids will start to stand up and take notice. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any sport and getting the right pieces in place to build on it are so important. This was a big week for Pitt wrestling, and the outlook for this program and staff got a lot brighter. Bigs things are happening and this was just the beginning.
