University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Wannstedt Names Chris Ball Secondary Coach
1/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 13, 2007
PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh head football coach Dave Wannstedt announced today the appointment of Chris Ball as Pitt's secondary coach. Ball spent the last four seasons coaching the secondary at
"In Chris Ball we have added an exceptional football coach and recruiter," Wannstedt said. "Chris has been an integral part of some of the top defenses in the country. We expect his experience and knowledge to be a major asset for our program."
"It is tremendously exciting to be associated with Pitt football and its great tradition," Ball said. "The top reason I'm here is Coach Wannstedt. Our family wanted to be at a place that has great people. Pitt has absolutely outstanding people and we are happy to be coming to
Outstanding defensive backfields have been a hallmark of Ball's 20-year coaching career. While at
In 2004
In 2005 the Tide ranked fifth nationally in both pass defense (160.75 yds./game) and pass efficiency defense (97.82 rating). The strong secondary play helped
Ball coached two first-team All-Southeastern Conference defensive backs the last two years. In 2006 he oversaw the development of All-SEC cornerback Simeon Castille, who led the Tide with six interceptions. The year prior, free safety Roman Harper was a unanimous All-SEC selection and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, annually presented to the nation's top defensive back. Harper, who became one of only six players at
Prior to
The standout in that '01 secondary was All-America free safety Lamont Thompson. Now a member of the Tennessee Titans, Thompson finished his collegiate career as
Ball was an outstanding player himself on the collegiate level, earning All-America honors as a defensive back at
His additional coaching stops include
Ball and his wife Tandi have two children, son Brennan (13) and daughter Abigail (2).
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