PITTSBURGH

Say goodbye to ... Walt Harris
Coaching record: 52-44 in 8 seasons
Reason for leaving: Took Stanford job

Despite five straight bowl appearances, including a BCS spot last year in the Fiesta Bowl as Big East champions, Harris wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh.

His contract was not extended prior to the season, got off to a 2-2 start and his job was rumored to be in jeopardy for most of the year. There were no guarantees he was going to be invited back, and moved on to Stanford when the opportunity arose.

He did not get along with athletic director Jeff Long, allegedly insulted recruits and had his agent suggest that the school should fire him, seen by most as merely a ploy to help him get out of town.

Keith Srakocic / AP Dave Wannstedt

Hello ... Dave Wannstedt
Coaching record: 82-86 in 11 seasons with Chicago and Miami in the NFL.
2005 prediction: 9-3

Wannstedt turned down the job once before changing his mind a week later. After spending the last 11 years as an NFL head coach, who knows how quickly he will adjust to being a college coach, if at all.

But he walks into a good situation, as Pitt returns 16 starters, including seven on a defense that may be the best in the Big East. As a Pitt graduate an offensive lineman who helped pave the way for Tony Dorsett’s 1,600-yard freshman season, he certainly has a passion to help the Panthers succeed.

Long-term outlook: Wannstedt will benefit from Harris’ recruits for now, but what we can’t measure is his desire to hit the pavement and play salesman to 18-year-old kids. His name recognition alone should open many doors, and that should help him get some commitments in the early going. Then it will be up to him to produce on the field to ensure interest remains high. If there really is love for the college game in his heart, he will succeed. If he longs to make a return to the NFL, he may not.

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