Dave Wannstedt did what everyone wants their coaches, players, administrators, etc., to do . . . express their love for the university. Wannstedt, who was forced out last month by the administration, gave a press conference wherein he announced that he will not coach the Panthers in the Compass Bowl. But, more than that, Wannstedt spoke of his love for the school and how the head coach position at the University of Pittsburgh was not just another job for him… but a love.
These are the things that remind you of the harsh realities of college sports. On the one hand, an emotional speech that tugs that the old heartstrings is just that, a speech. It makes you look cynical when you remind people that these guys are paid seven-figure salaries to win games and be good ambassadors (in that order). Just because they’re fired doesn’t mean we don’t like them. If the guys really love the school, I am sure there are many, many other paid positions they could take within the school. In the past month, Bill Stewart and Dave Wannstedt, two guys who are seen as extremely loyal, have been shit-canned by their employers. Both are head coaches at arguably the two most prestigious football schools in the Big East, and neither has made a BCS bowl appearance.
Not to mention that Wannstedt essentially said that he made his decision not to coach Pitt in their bowl game a long time ago, but chose not to tell “you guys.” And as Pitt Blather points out, “you guys” apparently includes the team and the administration at Pitt.
Hence, they’ll both soon be gone.
Big East Excess 