Pitt Football: Paul Cryst, Not Mario Cristobal, Will Be Next Panthers Coach

In 2011, Pitt was once again left to search for a new head coach, this time to replace Todd Graham, who abruptly left for Arizona State.

However, the Panthers have now found their man in Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst.

Chryst has been the coordinator in Madison for seven years now. In that time, the Badgers have had one of the best offenses in the Big Ten and consistently rank in the top fourth of the country in rushing. Over the past two years, they have also averaged over 40 points per game.

In five of his seven seasons, Wisconsin has had at least a 10-win season.

Chryst was a candidate for the Pitt job when it became available after the university fired Dave Wannstedt, but didn’t get the job.

Here is what Chryst had to say in the official press release:

"

My family and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to join the University of Pittsburgh. Pitt and Pittsburgh are absolutely the right fit for us, and we're looking forward to getting immersed in our new hometown. We are committed to building a program on and off the field that will make people proud. The bar is set high in the 'City of Champions' and that is incredibly exciting and inspiring. I can't wait to meet our players and get to work.

"

The guy many people thought would be hired was Florida International’s Mario Cristobal. He took the Golden Panthers from a winless season to two consecutive bowl appearances and won the Sun Belt Conference in 2010.

Chryst is obviously a talented guy, but the perception was that Pitt would hire a defensive minded guy like Cristobal to coach the team. The city is known for its toughness as are the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Still, it is hard to argue with a Paul Chryst-Ray Graham combination on offense. The Panthers should be a force in the Big East and ACC with him as coach.