Pittsburgh Football: Wisconsin OC Paul Chryst to Be Panthers' Next Head Coach

After losing head coach Todd Graham to Arizona State, University of Pittsburgh football is reportedly set to hire Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst.

After Arizona State hired Graham on Dec. 14, Pittsburgh was left to frantically search for its next head coach.

You only have to look at the Wisconsin Badgers' offense the last few years to understand the impact Chryst has had there. In his six seasons with the team, Wisconsin has had an explosive offense.

This season, the No. 10 Badgers are headed to the Rose Bowl against No. 5 Oregon after winning the Big Ten championship. They've averaged 44.6 points per game behind quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball, aided by Chryst's offensive schemes.

He's also had stints as the offensive coordinator for Oregon State and has NFL experience as the tight ends coach for the San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001.

The experience is certainly there for Chryst, as well as the results. He's never been a head coach on any level, but this may just be the time for him to take the next step.

"Chryst, a Wisconsin native and University of Wisconsin graduate, is viewed as a surer long-term fit than other candidates because of his Midwest ties and credentials directing a Badgers offense that set team scoring records each of the past two seasons," reports the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"Many prominent Pitt boosters support hiring Chryst."

Those who have been around Wisconsin for long enough would largely agree that his time is way over due.

Pittsburgh finished a disappointing 6-6 this season after finishing 8-5 last season and winning the Compass Bowl.

The Panthers averaged 25.8 points per game, good for 70th in the nation, but were also hurt by the injury to star running back Ray Graham, who missed the final four games of the regular season.

And despite being looked at by plenty of NFL scouts, there is a chance Graham returns for his senior season at Pittsburgh after his leg injury.

Regardless, Pittsburgh may have just found the coach to lift it out of the doldrums.