University of Pittsburgh Athletics
8/24/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2009
Question: Over the last few years, we've seen plenty of recruits come to Pitt and make a positive impact on the football program. But what types of things does Pitt offer the players who decide to call Pitt home, and how can you use that to help in recruiting?
Answer: Recruiting is really no different than sales. You're selling the University of Pittsburgh, you're selling something that you believe is better than what your competition has. As long as you have a product that is good and that you truly believe in, you're going to be successful recruiting and successful selling.
When you look at the University of Pittsburgh, we have an outstanding reputation academically and a great football tradition. Most schools are trying to win national championships and Heisman Trophies and Outland Trophies, and we have all of those things. We have that hardware to stay in the conversation. But the thing that I've used to expand the recruiting process here at Pitt is the city of Pittsburgh. If a young man comes here, not only is he getting the education, not only is he getting the football, but he's also getting the opportunity to take advantage of Downtown Pittsburgh and everything that goes along with this great city. I think because of that, we have a very attractive situation.
After that, it comes down to the assistant coaches building relationships with high school coaches, principles and people in the community so that everyone is comfortable when their high school player decides to come to Pitt. Because of that relationship, people around that player feel like it's a positive experience. And it truly is.
Q: You've seen this senior class grow. What's it been like seeing the progress of these players on the field, and how do you think they can define their careers at Pitt?
A: They came in because of blind faith, from the standpoint that we were going to make progress and that by the time they left they'd have the chance to compete for a Big East championship. Last year we were one game away from winning the conference. And even though it was nine wins and not 12, it was the first time Pitt won nine regular-season games since Dan Marino was here in 1982. The senior class has a lot to be proud of, and they still have another year to go out and try to achieve the goal they set out to accomplish.
Q: How has it been seeing them grow as student-athletes off of the field?
A: That's the most exciting thing about college football compared to the NFL. You're getting 18-year old kids and you're given an opportunity to help them make a difference on the field, off the field, really in all aspects of life.
I'm so proud of last year's class. We had 14 seniors and 13 of them graduated. 10 of them are in NFL camps. That's exciting. It makes me feel proud that those kids are working hard and accomplishing their goals.
Q: How does a team continue to replace leaders each year?
A: I think that's the interesting thing about sports. You're leaders somewhat change and the chemistry of your team is different every year. Even if you have the same guys back, the chemistry is a little bit different. This year I think that's the neat part about it. Who would've ever dreamed two years ago that Scott McKillop would be a starter, an all-Big East player and a leader of this team? Not a lot of people. I think a lot of guys look forward to the opportunities to step into those roles.
Q: What about replacing talent each year? Do you see these players ready to step into new roles on the field?
A: The better talent that you have and the better your teams get, the more patient the players who come to your school have to be. When you have a strong program, you go recruit players and you have to say, "Listen, if you want to play right away, this isn't the place for you." You tell them that their time will come, but there are other great players in front of them that they have to learn from and watch and pay their dues. I think that's where we are now.
The interesting this this year is that some of the guys who haven't been the stars and the starters and the focus of our team, now it's their turn. They've been waiting for this, and they're prepared for this.
Q: What did you think of the increase in support last year, and how does that help the team throughout the year?
A: There's no question to the fact that the fans' and the students' support was just so motivating for our players. There's no question that the fans and the students can make a difference in a positive way at Heinz Field. There's absolutely no question about that. When we go down there and we have to score a touchdown and we're going toward the student section and they're all up, if you ask any of our players, they'll tell you about how that is just a huge help.
Q: What can fans look forward to during the 2009 Pitt football season?
A: I think that we're going to have great leadership. I think our defense is going to be as good as we've been in a while. And I think we're going to see more big plays in the passing game than we have in the past few years. I think our quarterbacks are better, I think our skilled guys are all improved, and I look for some big years out of those guys. We're excited to get this year going.
This Q&A appeared in the Aug. 17 issue of Panther Eyes, a monthly newspaper sent to the members of the Panther Club. Click here or call 412-648-8889 for more information on Panther Eyes and how you can become a member of the Panther Club.
