Which Pitt alum becomes a head coach first, Shanahan or Sunseri?

[HailToPitt725]

Here’s a fun offseason thread,

Which former Pitt player rising in the coaching ranks will get a head coaching job first? Tino takes over as the offensive coordinator at UCLA next fall while Mike remains in that same position at IU after making the CFP. Let me know if there’s someone who should be considered.

 

[happjack]

Hopefully either of them next year at Pitt.

 

[TD_6082]

Hopefully either of them next year at Pitt.

Hard pass on that.

 

[Atilla Cosby]

I forget what game(it was at home), but under Graham, Tino ran out of bounds on a 3rd down short of the sticks even though contact would have gotten to the chains. We punted.

 

[BurghGuy68]

I forget what game(it was at home), but under Graham, Tino ran out of bounds on a 3rd down short of the sticks even though contact would have gotten to the chains. We punted.

Or when he intentionally threw it out of the end zone at Raleigh on the game ending play vs NCST and we lost by less than a TD and 20-30 yards to go.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Or when he intentionally threw it out of the end zone at Raleigh on the game ending play vs NCST and we lost by less than a TD and 20-30 yards to go.

Wouldn't that have been Stull? And wasn't it inside the 10? And wasn't it not the last play? And didn't we lose by a full touchdown?

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Hopefully either of them next year at Pitt.

If Tino becomes HC, will we ever win a game when trailing in the 3rd or 4th quarter?

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

If Tino becomes HC, will we ever win a game when trailing in the 3rd or 4th quarter?

That was an incredible streak we had. I think it was that we had no 2nd Half comebacks, much less the 4th quarter. Tino will never coach here because he was universally disliked by the fanbase, whether fair or unfair. However, the answer to this question is obviously Mike Shanahan. If IU has another good year, he is probably a HC in the MAC in 2026.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

That was an incredible streak we had. I think it was that we had no 2nd Half comebacks, much less the 4th quarter. Tino will never coach here because he was universally disliked by the fanbase, whether fair or unfair. However, the answer to this question is obviously Mike Shanahan. If IU has another good year, he is probably a HC in the MAC in 2026.

I voted for Mike in the poll. But I never disliked Tino. I don’t dislike any of our guys. I just knew that if it was the 2nd half of a game and we were trailing, it was over.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

shanahan but within 5 years, both will be HC at D1 level. Shanahan just seems to be doing it at a faster rate.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I voted for Mike in the poll. But I never disliked Tino. I don’t dislike any of our guys. I just knew that if it was the 2nd half of a game and we were trailing, it was over.

I didnt dislike him and realized he had to play because he was the best player we had at that position. That's the coach's fault. And he wasnt THAT bad. He was a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. I think he still holds the Pitt record in some category but I liken that to basketball's James Robinson assist to turnover record. Both Tino and Robinson never took any chances so they never made any big plays.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Wouldn't that have been Stull? And wasn't it inside the 10? And wasn't it not the last play? And didn't we lose by a full touchdown?

That's my recollection as well. Easiest schedule in recent Pitt history, NC State was the hardest OOC game, they had Wilson at QB, but still only finished 7-5. That should have been Wanny's history making 12-0 season. Instead we were champs of the tire bowl.

But back to Tino. 3 different head coaches/OC's in his 3 years of starting. It's tough for anyone to succeed in those conditions. We complain about legacies not choosing Pitt, and when one does and was a starter, he wasn't the most loved panther by any stretch and not treated the best. Tino actually had a decent year with Chryst, but he was the type of QB who needed a lot of talent around him. He wasn't the type to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory (as evidenced by zero come from behind 4th quarter victories in his career). Probably wasn't P4 starter material, but with Bostick busting out, Nova decommitting, and Graham not bringing anyone in who was better suited for his offense, we didn't have any other choice but Tino. So I kind of feel for him and think he got somewhat of a raw deal here.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

That's my recollection as well. Easiest schedule in recent Pitt history, NC State was the hardest OOC game, they had Wilson at QB, but still only finished 7-5. That should have been Wanny's history making 12-0 season. Instead we were champs of the tire bowl.

But back to Tino. 3 different head coaches/OC's in his 3 years of starting. It's tough for anyone to succeed in those conditions. We complain about legacies not choosing Pitt, and when one does and was a starter, he wasn't the most loved panther by any stretch and not treated the best. Tino actually had a decent year with Chryst, but he was the type of QB who needed a lot of talent around him. He wasn't the type to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory (as evidenced by zero come from behind 4th quarter victories in his career). Probably wasn't P4 starter material, but with Bostick busting out, Nova decommitting, and Graham not bringing anyone in who was better suited for his offense, we didn't have any other choice but Tino. So I kind of feel for him and think he got somewhat of a raw deal here.

I thought the most Pitt thing ever was that we knowing we were playing for the Big East Championship after week 10 but then - in addition to completely blowing that game - somehow figuring out a way to not even finish in 2nd place.

 

[BurghGuy68]

Wouldn't that have been Stull? And wasn't it inside the 10? And wasn't it not the last play? And didn't we lose by a full touchdown?

Yup you're right. My bad.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

Obviously Shanahan. The lyrical Celtic temperament is much preferable for a football head coach to the hot blooded Sicilian.

 

[yourhired]

I would say Mike, Tino is getting a good opportunity at UCLA we'll see how he does.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Obviously Shanahan. The lyrical Celtic temperament is much preferable for a football head coach to the hot blooded Sicilian.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I thought the most Pitt thing ever was that we knowing we were playing for the Big East Championship after week 10 but then - in addition to completely blowing that game - somehow figuring out a way to not even finish in 2nd place.

I think that is where Wannstedt's pro mentality really cost him. He's thinking the championship game is all that matters, like the NFL, and the WVU game didn't matter in the scope of things. But in the BCS era, every game mattered, and rankings were even more important than they are now. We entered that game ranked #10 I believe. Could have solidly been in the top 10 for showdown with Cinci. Instead the players caught Wanny's vibe of WVU not really meaning much and proceeded to play accordingly.

 

[HailToPitt725]

That's my recollection as well. Easiest schedule in recent Pitt history, NC State was the hardest OOC game, they had Wilson at QB, but still only finished 7-5. That should have been Wanny's history making 12-0 season. Instead we were champs of the tire bowl.

But back to Tino. 3 different head coaches/OC's in his 3 years of starting. It's tough for anyone to succeed in those conditions. We complain about legacies not choosing Pitt, and when one does and was a starter, he wasn't the most loved panther by any stretch and not treated the best. Tino actually had a decent year with Chryst, but he was the type of QB who needed a lot of talent around him. He wasn't the type to put the team on his shoulders and carry them to victory (as evidenced by zero come from behind 4th quarter victories in his career). Probably wasn't P4 starter material, but with Bostick busting out, Nova decommitting, and Graham not bringing anyone in who was better suited for his offense, we didn't have any other choice but Tino. So I kind of feel for him and think he got somewhat of a raw deal here.

Man, I didn’t need that reminder… we should’ve made the BCS at least three straight years. Choked the game away against Cincinnati two straight years and then lost a tiebreaker to UConn of all schools in 2010. Too much heartbreak.

 

[Pitt1975]

I’ve met the Shanahan family, at tailgates. My buddy golf’s with his dad….awesome group.
Sunseri comes from a good football family.
But when I think back, all I remember with Tino was duck and cover…..or run out of bounds for a loss.

I’d go with Shanahan.