Wisconsin Football: Offensive Coordinator Paul Chryst Reportedly Takes Pitt Job

It was only a matter of time. 

According to numerous reports (Pitt to hire Paul Chryst as coach), Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst is leaving the Badgers to become the next head coach at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Chryst is still expected to call the plays for Wisconsin when they match up against No. 5 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2.

The University of Pittsburgh began their search for a new head coach last week after former head man Todd Graham bolted for Arizona State following just one season with the Panthers.

Chryst, who turned down a lucrative offensive coordinator offer from the Texas Longhorns last season, has been mentioned for seemingly every college football head coaching vacancy over the last few years.

For the Panthers, it came down to Wisconsin’s top offensive assistant and Florida International University head coach Mario Cristobal.

Cristobal oversaw a total reclamation at FIU, leading the Golden Panthers to back-to-back bowl appearances in 2010 and 2011.

Reports had surfaced earlier this week that Cristobal was the front-runner for the Pitt job. Then, on Wednesday evening, individuals associated with the Pittsburgh program began indicating that Chryst was the top choice to lead the Panthers.

Various media outlets are also reporting that University of Wisconsin Athletic Director—and Western Pennsylvania native—Barry Alvarez has been drumming up support for Chryst with phone calls to members of the Pitt program and prominent Panther boosters (Source: Pitt now sees UW's Chryst as No. 1 option).

It has also been reported that Wisconsin basketball head coach Bo Ryan spoke with Pitt basketball head coach Jamie Dixon to plug Chryst.

Details of the deal have not been released.