Walt!

[9nationalchampionships]

Walt looks good. Always appreciate what he did for our program and hope he can be part of it again just not sure in what capacity.

 

[chevceleb41]

Why wouldn't Walt be considered as an adviser here for the offense ? Hell he's forgot more about offense than some guys know.Narduzzi would help himself by getting Walt around here to help for a few bucks.

 

[spitdoc]

Walt could have had a rich rod type of ascension by being one of the first coaches to implement the spread. It just was a 1-5 start that ended that type of trajectory quick

but then went back and won every game and beat Phillip Rivers in the Tangerine Bowl...I do remember the South Florida Debunkel and it still hurts

 

[rc79]

Maybe, but given how Cheney frustrates fans by abandoning the run too soon, would Walt be the best choice?

Well said. If Walter had ever committed to the run be might still be here. Very good QB coach and passing game guy. Had about an 8 year shelf life.

 

[rc79]

Good to see Walt. Thanks for posting the picture. While his ending was less than storybook, Pitt should always appreciate what he did at the time for the Pitt football program. H2P

Did a lot of work his first six years getting the program back on it's feet.

 

[rc79]

Harris left behind no foundation on the OL and DL when he left. It was apparent when we needed a passing shoot out to beat Furman his last season. You can't just win games with QBs and receivers. Which is what most people see.

 

[rc79]

Eal

Walt, the guy who used to pass from the one yard line? Walt, the guy who took Fitz out of the game during the most crucial drive of the Tire Bowl? Walt of the slide and the swinging gate? No thanks.

There is a considerable amount of revisionism around what he actually did.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

Harris left behind no foundation on the OL and DL when he left. It was apparent when we needed a passing shoot out to beat Furman his last season. You can't just win games with QBs and receivers. Which is what most people see.

True, but what did Walt have to work with when he got here? I tend to think he left the program in a much better spot than when he arrived. And he had five winning seasons, where we had only had one in the previous seven years.

 

[Consultant Panther]

There is a considerable amount of revisionism around what he actually did.

He took over one of the worst teams in all of D1 and made it respectable. Pitt averaged 8 wins a season over Walt's last 4 years here. He certainly was far from perfect, but it's easy to see that he deserves a lot of credit for what he did.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I'm not a fan of Chaney's either, but it's too early to write him off. I'm hoping we build on the 2nd half of the ND game since we were forced to open things up a little.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I respect your opinion but totally disagree with it ...... especially the part that Chaney is HORRIBLE ...... Chaney's offense was a new one that the players had to learn, Chaney had to learn what the players were capable of doing, the OL had to be reshaped as the two best OL from last year graduated and are on pro rosters and another would be starting tackle was lost for the season with injury, we have played most of the season with one good WR who is double and triple teamed and have had to try to develop a legitimate 2nd and 3rd WR, the loss of Conner was devastating to the team and the offense .... in fact with a healthy Conner I would bet Chaney would be receiving high praise ...... we had to transition in a new QB during the season, in some games PN admitted that he told Chaney to be more conservative especially near the end of games that PN felt the defense would win....... with the above transition, the offense is a work in the making but not HORRIBLE by any stretch of the imagination.

Furthermore, my post said that I would rather have Chaney as the OC now then the 2015 Walt Harris ...... I like Walt and acknowledge that he stabilized and improved Pitt football at a critical time in our history and that he was a very good offensive coach ..... I wasn't very happy with the circumstances regarding his departure after the 2004 season but am glad to see him around the football program ...... but look at Walt's track record in football since 2005 until today and I'll take Chaney over hiring Walt as our OC.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

9-10 Elite Coach
8-9 Great Coach
7-8 Very Good Coach
6-7 Good Coach
5-6 Mediocre Coach
3-4 Below Average
3-1 Not Good

Recent Pitt Coaches:
7-8 Coach Pat (As Of Now)
6-7.5 Coach Dave
6-7 Coach Walt
6-7 Coach Paul
6-7 Coach Toad

Past Pitt Coaches:
9-10 Coach Jackie
9-10 Coach Doc
9-10 Coach Pop
8-9 Coach Joseph T
8-9 Coach Joseph D
8 Coach Johnny
7-8 Coach John M
7-8 Coach Mike
7-8 Coach Pat (As Of Now)
7-8 Coach Arthur
6-7.5 Coach Dave
6-7 Coach Walt
6-7 Coach Paul
6-7 Coach Toad
5-1 Many Coaches Including No Coach-From 1890-94!

My view and others differ with different views!
LINK:
http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/p/pittsburgh/coaching_records.php

 

[LeftCoastPanther]

The only team that was better than Pitt on its schedule in 2001 was Miami. What a disaster going to the no huddle when that team was ready for a breakout season. The players quit in the BC and Syracuse games, no doubt. When the change to the old offense occurred we saw what that Pitt team could have accomplished. It should have been a 10-1 team with a terrific bowl invite -- same with the 2002 squad.

 

[thebadby2]

I'm not a fan of Chaney's either, but it's too early to write him off. I'm hoping we build on the 2nd half of the ND game since we were forced to open things up a little.

Agree with you, too early to toss the baby out with the bath water--and that;s one big baby. Haven;t been impressed so far, and some of what he;s doing is a bit perplexing--it almost seems like he's always experimenting for the sake of experimentation with his personnel packages and the offensive formations as opposed to just going with what the players are most comfortable with, and/or whatever is working best at any given time. It's like he's coaching the blue-gold game in the spring, or trying to figure things out on the fly as though we are starting from scratch offensively, which we aren't--or shouldn't be. I think he needs to call plays that are more appropriate for the down and distance in any given situation. I'd like to think that Duzzi would sit him down and tell him exactly what he wants to see. I doubt that has happened based on the way Chaney is pulling the strings on gameday.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Agree with you, too early to toss the baby out with the bath water--and that;s one big baby. Haven;t been impressed so far, and some of what he;s doing is a bit perplexing--it almost seems like he's always experimenting for the sake of experimentation with his personnel packages and the offensive formations as opposed to just going with what the players are most comfortable with, and/or whatever is working best at any given time. It's like he's coaching the blue-gold game in the spring, or trying to figure things out on the fly as though we are starting from scratch offensively, which we aren't--or shouldn't be. I think he needs to call plays that are more appropriate for the down and distance in any given situation. I'd like to think that Duzzi would sit him down and tell him exactly what he wants to see. I doubt that has happened based on the way Chaney is pulling the strings on gameday.

I expect a Breakout Game against Duke on Chaney's Offense, the 10th game should overcome Player Execution mistakes by then and he should be coaching them up now! I have seen improvements in every game, but still have not seen then in 4 Quarters, and that is overdue and necessary to within these least 3 Games??? The Defense can help save the wins but can't win it without a solid consistent Offense. The Special Teams have vastly improved under Coach Pat & Staff compared to Chryst, but they can only win if the Offense is playing better too! Especially Ball Control Consistently!

I am not upset with Chaney right now, because the Players have been not blocking, dropping passes, and making enough mistakes to kill of Drives and Big Plays!

Whitehead needed time just to adjust to playing CFB and learning the Defense, and getting tougher for the first 6-7 Games, so I don't blame Chaney that much either since he lost Conners and only had Boyd as Game Changer and he needed to break in Peterman!

Yet, Whitehead needed to be played in the UNC Game even if on just 3 to 4 Plays, so he becomes more comfortable and Freshmen make mistakes too, no matter how great?

Yet, I really think Whitehead Threat will open up Boyd and other Wideouts and Running Backs, but Jordan will really be needed on Defense this Game?

The only place I am disappointed is at Ollison Blocking still not corrected and the inability to use Orndoff Great Speed and Throwing for High Percentage Passes of 10+ Yards. Holtz is doing better too on the Short Passes but just misses the first down often?

Holtz is bigger and stronger, but Orndoff has speed and other talents like screen passing!

Still would like to see some Wildcats with Whitehead and Chad Sweeps Series? But I am OK with Chaney right now if he can get them to play all 4 Quarters on Offense!

The Game Plans are pretty good and when the Pitt players are open they have to catch that Ball, and that has been missing since the first 6 games?

Boyd is doing great but Boyd can't do it all, and the other Teams know it, Shadow him, and Smashing him and he can take it, but Whitehead, Ford, Orndoff and Holtz need to step up now, and the Boyd will do what he does best, catch and win games!

We shall see?

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I liked Walt. Had one of the better, more unique offenses in college football. Wide receivers flourished in it.

Having said that, Walt had his chances and did not capitalize. He really needed to produce in 2003 and could not do it. Record attendance at Heinz, Larry Fitz, some buzz on the program, and he really dropped the ball. Similar to the Wann in 2009. Not to mention losing to WVU in 2002 with the Gator bowl on the line and the collapse in 2001 to start the season.

Plus he had the chance to deliver a knockout punch to the nits and couldn't do it. They were in decline, but they still out recruited him for Lee, Pozluzny, Shipley and rebounded to go to a BCS bowl.

So I like Walt, but similar to the Wann both reached their ceiling and it was obvious they weren't breaking through it so it was time to try something else.

 

[rc79]

True, but what did Walt have to work with when he got here? I tend to think he left the program in a much better spot than when he arrived. And he had five winning seasons, where we had only had one in the previous seven years.

Ok, so I'm right. The point is after HIS eight years. There was no foundation in terms of a well built roster other than some skill positions..This was well known on the south side when he left.

Your point that things were better than when he took over is obvious. There just wasn't anything built when he left. Not just picking on him either, we haven't had a program since Sherrill left really.

I did compliment him in my remarks. Grounded, unlike some of his acolytes.

 

[rc79]

He took over one of the worst teams in all of D1 and made it respectable. Pitt averaged 8 wins a season over Walt's last 4 years here. He certainly was far from perfect, but it's easy to see that he deserves a lot of credit for what he did.

I didn't say otherwise.

 

[djbpitt]

"So, Walt, tell me how this Swinging Gate works again?"

 

[djbpitt]

He's tanned, he's rested, he's ready. Walt for OC!