Pitt Football: For Once, Wannstedt Hears His Critics, Revamps Offensive Line

A successful coach is canned

An unsuccessful coach is hired.

Promises are made.

What finally got to hard-headed Dave Wannstedt this weekend among the voluminous feature stories and blogs decrying him as just one of the worst college football coaches in the country?

The criticism about his offensive line.

Remember the athletic department-forced celebration of Dave Wannstedt's hiring in 2004 as "the guy who will return Pitt football to national prominence."

Six years later, we are still waiting.

The things Wannstedt promised to fix back in 2004 were the offensive line problems that prevented good Walt Harris teams from becoming great.

What Wannstedt has not fixed are the offensive line problems killing his 2010 squad.

Maybe the changes he is making will work.

Maybe moving two-ton Jordan Gibbs to right tackle will do the trick. Maybe moving Lucas Nix from right tackle to right guard and benching Greg Gaskins will spark his undisciplined team.

In case it gets confusing, Alex Karabin starts at center. Gibbs is about to make his first career start next to Nix, left guard Chris Jacobson, and all-league Jason Pinston.

When you're sitting in last place or close to it in total offense, scoring offense, first downs, third-down conversions, and sacks, you've got to do something.

Now Wannstedt needs to look long and hard at quarterback Tino Sunseri. "Tino Time" has been a bad time for Pitt.

Finally, Dave Wannstedt his changing his lineup four games into the season.

Miracles still do happen.