History Lesson

Dave Wannstedt wants to bring back the glory days of Pittsburgh football. After a few stacked recruiting classes, this might be the year he finally does it

By: Michael Bonner

Posted: 8/28/08

Dave Wannstedt knows the Pittsburgh mentality. The Panthers' head coach grew up in Baldwin, Pa., a little more than eight miles from the Steel City.

"Pittsburgh is a blue collar town, and I'd like to think that's the type of person I am in my background and my work ethic," Wannstedt said. "And I think that is reflected in our football team."

Wannstedt first brought his hard-nosed attitude to the Panthers as a player from 1970-73. After a short hiatus away from his alma mater, he returned in 1975 as a graduate assistant and was a part of the team that won a national championship in 1976. Now, more than thirty years later, he's the head coach.

Bringing back that successful tradition has been a slow task so far, though. As a head coach Wannstedt is 16-19, his team posting its best record under him two years ago at 6-6. But with a series of touted recruiting classes assembled, many pundits are picking Wannstedt's squad to be a breakthrough team this year.

"I'll tell you what, they picked the right guy for the job," said sophomore running back LeSean McCoy. "He brings so much to the university. He's just a Pittsburgh guy."

Wannstedt's head coaching career has began much like his playing career with the Panthers. During Wannstedt's time as a player, the Panthers were 10-23, with a Fiesta Bowl birth his senior year after a 6-5 record. It wasn't until he returned as a graduate assistant when Pitt saw its greatest success.

The pressure to bring the Panthers back to its glory day could be increasing. The past two years he's brought in an exceptional recruiting class. In 2006, Pitt had the 11th best freshmen class in the nation, according to Scout.com, and last year the eighth-best class in the nation. Internet websites are not the only sources noticing the talented Panthers.

This year, Pittsburgh will be relying on some of those former top recruits - such as McCoy and junior quarterback Bill Stull - to take the team to the next level.

"Pittsburgh is loaded," South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt said. "Dave (Wannstedt) is a great, not good, great coach. That's what concerns me. The way they are building and putting together. They're the real deal."

This year, Wannstedt has the 25th best class with 19 commitments, including three five-star prospects. The influx of talent with no postseason accolades doesn't concern the coach. He's controlling what he can. Last year, the Panthers lost its opening-day quarterback Stull, star wide receiver Derek Kinder and defensive lineman Doug Fulmer, all to injuries.

"Those things happen in the game, and I think that at the University of Pittsburgh our chancellor and now with (Athletic Director) Steve Pederson coming on you know we've got good solid people that understand what's involved. They're intelligent enough to know why things happen."

Or why things don't happen. With its starting quarterback sidelined the Panthers became a one-dimensional team relying heavily on McCoy. The 19-year-old responded with a Big East freshman single-season rushing record with 1,328 yards. But the freshman got little help even when the team upset No. 2 West Virginia. McCoy carried the ball 38 times compared to only 19 pass attempts.

The win though made an impression. After the upset Wannstedt received an extension through 2012. Three more years of reestablishing the tradition he helped build.

"We've had a couple of disappointing seasons in the past," said Kinder, who has missed the last year and a half with a torn ACL. "So we're definitely trying to get that tradition back and I can see us getting it back."

Maybe that's why Wannstedt wears is his 1976 National Championship ring everyday.

"It's just a reminder that you know a lot of schools talk about winning a championship, you read it in books," Wannstedt said. "And I think all the ring does it's a reminder that 'Hey we've been there, we've done it. We have that tradition.' It's live. It's not something you're reading about in storybooks."

To further the legacy at Pittsburgh, Wannstedt brings in legends every Thursday prior to game day to give players even more motivation.

The past players talk about future goals. How hard they worked when they played and what it takes to be a champion. Furthermore, what it takes to be a champion at Pittsburgh.

"It's motivation, motivation from guys who actually did it before," McCoy said. "Anyone who comes back and gives advice it's always good. It's helped us bond as a team."

Wannstedt is the knot that ties Tony Dorsett the running back he used to block for to McCoy. But the return to dominance has been a slow one for Pittsburgh. Last year, the Panthers prevented the Mountaineers from a trip to the national championship. This year, Pitt is picked by many pundits to have a breakthrough year in the conference.

With a 16-19 record so far it's still too close to call whether Wannstedt will be able to resurrect the Panthers winning ways.

"In his mind Pitt is it," said senior linebacker Scott McKillop. "He loves the university, everything about it he loves. He tells the stories about when he was here. It's just a tradition you can just see it from talking to him for just a few minutes and that's just one of the things we need to get back. We need that tradition."

mibonner@syr.edu