Actually, the difference between Pitt and a SEC program that truly cares about football is that the boosters at SEC programs do everything in their power to make sure their staff can sign Top 10 type recruiting classes. So at Georgia, it doesn't matter if the coach is Donan, Richt, or Kirby, they are going to bring in talent. LSU - Saban, Miles, and Shrek... all are going to sign talent. Auburn... Dye, Bowden, Tubberville, Chizik, Gus... all signing talent.
At Pitt, the coaching changes serve no other purpose than to put a dent in a recruiting class, and give the fanbase a reset for the next three or four years. It won't do much to change results or move the ceiling. A simple coaching change isn't capable of doing that. It takes a significant upgrade in talent and culture, and Pitt isn't willing to go that route. If they were, the talent would have started rolling back to Oakland during Majors 2.