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The Pitt football program’s stock continues to On an individual level, Pitt players again were recent string of strong recruiting classes, and the rise under the direction of Dave Wannstedt, who recognized among the very best in all of college infusion of a winning culture at Pitt, the Panthers enters his sixth year as head coach of the Panthers. football. Tight end Dorin Dickerson earned first appear primed to continue their rise. Wannstedt’s tenure at his alma mater has been team All-America honors from the Football Writers A winning brand of football is nothing new to marked by unmistakable progress and achievement. Association of America (FWAA), the third player in Wannstedt. The 35-year coaching veteran has been The 2009 season was the latest example of Pitt’s the past four seasons under Wannstedt to earn part of 12 bowl teams as a collegiate coach, ascendance under his direction. Among the that prestigious accolade. including two undefeated national champions — highlights: Tailback Dion Lewis was the most decorated the 1976 Pitt Panthers and 1987 Miami Hurricanes. freshman in the country after rushing for 1,799 In total, his 19 years of collegiate coaching • The Panthers finished with a 10-3 record, yards last year. Lewis was named the national experience include 13 winning campaigns and a capped by an exciting 19-17 victory over North freshman of the year by Sporting News and CBS 147-74-4 record. Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It was Sports. Additionally, he earned Big East Offensive On the professional level, Wannstedt was part of the program’s winningest campaign since 1981. Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors six NFL playoff teams and a champion from the league’s coaches. (the 1992 ). • Pitt’s 10 victories secured a final national On the other side of the ball, defensive end Although his professional travels have taken ranking of No. 15 in both polls, the Panthers’ Greg Romeus and Mick Williams him all over the country, Wannstedt has always highest final listing since 1982. shared the Big East Defensive Player of the Year considered his home. honor, the first time in the league’s history a pair of When Wannstedt speaks about Pitt and • Over the past two seasons, Pitt has produced teammates received the award in the same season. Pittsburgh, there is an unmistakable strength of 19 wins, the second highest total in the Big All indications are that this success is just the conviction. He owns not one but two degrees from East Conference and among the top 25 beginning for the Panthers. With Wannstedt’s nationally.

24 EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION the . He is a living, the Panthers’ weight room in preparation for the A rugged offensive tackle for the Panthers breathing example of a Pitt education and Pitt upcoming season. from 1970-73, Wannstedt returned to his alma football. Each of these scenes — the football fields, mater with three decades of highly accomplished “There might be no other coach in the country steel mills and the city — are embedded in coaching experience on the collegiate level and in who knows the very soil beneath him better than Wannstedt. “Pittsburgh never really left me,” he the . His career has ‘Wanny,’” CBSSports.com senior writer Dennis said. “It’s always been a special place in my heart.” produced three championship rings, including a Dodd said. “Wannstedt’s blood and sweat literally That is why, more than 30 years after Super Bowl title and two national collegiate stain the grass at his alma mater.” captaining the Panthers’ 1973 team, championships. “I wouldn’t want to do this job anywhere else,” Wannstedt was the perfect choice to lead the These days, Wannstedt only wears his Pitt Wannstedt said. “I love Pitt and I love the city of University of Pittsburgh’s football program. He was 1976 national championship ring. “Our players Pittsburgh.” named Pitt’s 34th head coach on December 23, 2004. and prospects should know that I was part of the The scene outside of Wannstedt’s office windows “This opportunity is something I have dreamed greatest team Pitt ever had,” he said. “I take M in the Pitt football practice facility provides a view about since my early coaching days at Pitt,” said pride in that.” COACHING STAFF that is uniquely Pittsburgh and totally fitting for Wannstedt. A “Pitt Man” through and through, Wannstedt the Panthers’ head coach. has served as a bridge to the program’s past — The immediate view is to the east, where in the the visits by former players and alumni have foreground the Panthers’ lush grass practice fields capture the eye. Just beyond the green fields sit steel mills, a reminder of the city’s industrial heritage and, for PROFILES decades, the economic lifeblood of the region. PANTHER A gaze back to the west and one can soak in Pittsburgh’s breathtaking skyline. The skyscrapers now symbolize the “new Pittsburgh,” the former steel city that has evolved into a thriving center for corporations, medicine and higher education.

Although he spent most of the last three 2009 SEASON decades residing outside of Pittsburgh, these views IN REVIEW still remain familiar and comforting for Wannstedt. He, too, once worked during the summers in the mills that inhabited a stretch of land located off Pittsburgh’s Second Avenue. Wannstedt would labor alongside his father, Frank, and then head to old Pitt Stadium to pump a different kind of iron in THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK

25 reached unprecedented levels — as he is driving game, your Pitt experience will continue to influence the Panthers strongly into the future. and inspire everything you do as a person, “Dave is a Pitt guy,” said , an All- professional and citizen. There’s a reason people America end for the Panthers before he went on to from this university have helped change our world a Hall of Fame playing and coaching career in the in so many positive ways. That’s the power of Pitt.” NFL. “Dave has a commitment to this university. Wannstedt rejoined the college ranks after The excitement created since Dave came back spending the prior 16 years in the NFL. Eleven of probably hasn’t happened in, what, 20 years? those years were as a head coach, including six Dave is the right guy to lead this program. He’s a with the (1993-98) and five with young guy with a lot of enthusiasm and he’s really the (2000-04). proud to be a Pittsburgh guy.” It all began, though, in Pittsburgh, where first In 2006, Wannstedt and his wife Jan gave a he was a star at Baldwin High and later played a $250,000 gift to the University of Pittsburgh to key role in Pitt football’s resurgence in the 1970s. endow a football scholarship. “Dave was such a leader,” said Jim Gilloolly, “As a high school senior growing up in Baldwin, his coach. “Dave would I was provided with the life-changing opportunity scramble up the side of the hill on all fours, in the to receive an outstanding education and play weeds and the brush, to get in shape. He made a major- due to a scholarship,” big W-A-N-N in the side of the hill. That became Wannstedt said. “We want to be able to help part of our drill, the Wannstedt Drill. Even after provide those same opportunities for both current Dave was gone.” and future generations of student-athletes.” Wannstedt was a three-sport star for Baldwin Wannstedt has clear cut goals and standards in football, basketball and track and field. He for each young man who signs with the Panthers. earned all-state in football and played in the “The first and most important goal we have for prestigious Big 33 Classic all-star game. Wannstedt our players is for them to earn their degree from captained both the Highlanders’ football and this outstanding institution,” Wannstedt said. basketball squads before graduating in 1970. “That degree is a life-changing achievement. Earning a scholarship to the University of Secondly, if a young man aspires to play professional Pittsburgh, he played on the freshman team during football, we are going to work hard to give him all the ’70 season (freshmen were then not eligible for the tools — physically, mentally and personally — varsity competition) and earned a starting job as that can help his dream become a reality. just a sophomore. “Ultimately, the University of Pittsburgh will John Majors took over as head coach at Pitt for mean more to you than just four years of school Wannstedt’s senior year and led the team to a 6-4-1 and football. Even after your last class and final regular season and Fiesta Bowl berth. The ’73

26 EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION campaign was the launching pad for Pitt’s During Wannstedt’s head coaching juggernaut success the rest of the decade that tenure with the Dolphins, Miami was included a 55-15-1 mark (.782), a national one of just three NFL teams from championship and five bowls over the next six 2000-03 to record nine or more years. Wannstedt was one of the ’73 team’s victories each year. unsung heroes, providing tough blocking from his The Dolphins’ 41-23 mark left tackle spot. His efforts helped a young back during that span tied for the named rush for 1,686 yards. club’s best four-year record in Although he was selected by the Green Bay nearly 20 seasons. Miami captured Packers in the 1974 draft, a neck injury cut short the AFC East Division championship Wannstedt’s pro aspirations. He returned to Pitt in 2000 with an 11-5 record. and started his coaching career as a graduate The Dolphins’ defense that season M assistant under Majors in 1975 and 1976. ranked third in the NFL in points allowed COACHING STAFF “I knew he had big things ahead of him,” (a franchise-low 226 points) and led the Majors said. “You could see it and sense it. He was league with 28 interceptions. He joined self-motivated and tough. He was fierce, and the Dolphins in 1999 as assistant head everyone around him respected him. He did things coach under Jimmy Johnson. the right way, with hard work and dedication. I never had to worry about him. I also saw other players watching how he conducted himself and PROFILES gravitating to him. That’s why he is a great football PANTHER coach — people see how much the game means to him, how hard he works.” When Majors departed following the undefeated ’76 national title season, Wannstedt served under at Pitt in 1977 and 1978, coaching receivers and special teams. 2009 SEASON His four years on the Panthers’ staff witnessed IN REVIEW three Top 15 national rankings, a combined 37-10-1 record (.781) and bowl invites each season. “You knew he had the talent to be a coach,” Sherrill said. “Just the way he handled himself, the confidence he had, the THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK way he handled other players.” The talent evident at Pitt launched Wannstedt into a coaching career that took him from his hometown to destinations all over the country, including a pair of NFL head coaching jobs.

27 coordinator in 1982. Wannstedt is a 1974 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He also earned his master’s from Pitt in 1976. The Pitt Varsity Letter Club in 1999 named him an Awardee of Distinction for his professional and personal accomplishments following his graduation from the university. In 1990, Wannstedt was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, becoming the youngest person to receive the honor. Wannstedt and his wife Jan have two daughters, Keri and Jami, and a grandson. Keri and her husband Mike Drew gave the Wannstedts their first grandchild, Connor David, on Sept. 28, 2007. Jami is recently engaged to Eddie Napleton. PERSONAL INFORMATION

BORN 5/21/52 HOMETOWN Baldwin, Pa. ALMA MATER University of Pittsburgh B.S. ’74, M.Ed. ’76 FAMILY Wannstedt and his wife Jan have two daughters, Keri and Jami, and a grandson. Keri and her husband Mike Drew gave the Wannstedts their first grandchild, Connor David, on Sept. 28, 2007. Jami is recently engaged to Eddie Napleton.

The Wannstedt Family (left to right): daughter Keri holding Connor with husband Mike Drew; Dave and Jan Wannstedt; daughter Jami with fiancée Eddie Napleton. COACHING EXPERIENCE & HIGHLIGHTS Johnson, now an NFL analyst with FOX, and transformation from a 1-15 team to Super Bowl Wannstedt first teamed up together at Pitt. champions in just three years. Wannstedt’s 1992 COLLEGE (Johnson was the assistant head coach and defense was the NFL’s youngest but went on to lead under Sherrill before moving the league in total defense, allowing just 245.7 yards PITTSBURGH on as head coach at Oklahoma State.) The pair per game. The ’92 season was punctuated with the YEARS/POSITION: 1975-76, graduate assistant; became fast friends at Pittsburgh and Johnson Cowboys’ 52-17 demolition of Buffalo in Super 1977-78, receivers and special teams. ultimately would tap Wannstedt as a top lieutenant Bowl XXVII as his defense forced nine turnovers. In HIGHLIGHTS: Pitt advances to bowl games each at four stops, including Oklahoma State, the 1990, Wannstedt’s role in Dallas’ revival earned season of his four-year tenure, winning three… University of Miami, the Dallas Cowboys and with him NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors. finishes in the nation’s Top 15 three times and the the Dolphins. Prior to Dallas, Wannstedt spent three years as Top 10 twice…Pitt wins the 1976 national Wannstedt concluded his Chicago Bears tenure the defensive coordinator of the Miami Hurricanes. championship with a 12-0 record…Panthers’ as the third-winningest coach in the franchise’s From 1986-88, Miami went 34-2 (.944) and won the compile 37-10-1 four-year mark (.781). history with 41 victories. In 1994, he was named 1987 national championship with a 12-0 record. the NFC Coach of the Year by UPI and Football During his tenure, the Hurricanes held opponents to OKLAHOMA STATE News after directing Chicago back to the playoffs just 2.2 yards per rush, gave up only 10.9 points per following a three-year hiatus. Wannstedt additionally game and averaged 48 sacks per year. Wannstedt’s YEARS/POSITION: 1979-81, defensive line; 1982, was among the top three finishers for NFL Coach defenses produced 11 NFL draft selections, defensive coordinator. of the Year honors that season by The Associated including five taken in the initial two rounds. HIGHLIGHTS: Helped OSU earn its first bowl invite Press, Pro Football Writers, The Sporting News, Pro Wannstedt’s other collegiate stops included in five years (1981 Independence Bowl). Football Weekly and Football Digest. The Bears Southern California (1983-85) and Oklahoma State were the NFL’s least-penalized team for two (1979-82). As defensive line coach at USC, he SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA consecutive seasons (1994-95) under his watch. helped the Trojans capture the 1984 Pacific-10 YEARS/POSITION: 1983-85, defensive line. From 1989-92, Wannstedt was part of a championship and a subsequent 20-17 win over HIGHLIGHTS: USC earned two bowl berths…Trojans dramatic revitalization of the Dallas Cowboys as Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Wannstedt was also finish in the Top 10 in 1984 following a 9-3 record defensive coordinator and, in his final season, the defensive line coach at Oklahoma State his and Rose Bowl victory over Ohio State (20-17). assistant head coach. His tenure witnessed Dallas’ initial three years before elevating to defensive

28 EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

MIAMI earning National Freshman of the Year honors from MIAMI DOLPHINS YEARS/POSITION: 1986-88, defensive coordinator. Sporting News and CBS Sports…Pitt has consecutive YEARS/POSITION: 1999, assistant head coach; HIGHLIGHTS: Miami compiles a three-year record of first-round NFL Draft choices in cornerback Darrelle 2000-04, head coach. 34-2 (.944)…advances to three New Year’s Day bowl Revis (, 2007) and Jeff Otah (Carolina HIGHLIGHTS: 2000 AFC East champs with 11-5 games (1987 Fiesta, 1988 and 1989 Orange)…wins Panthers, 2008). mark…named 2000 NFL Coach of the Year by FOX’s the 1987 national title with a 12-0 mark…UM’s (annual “Terry Awards”)…Wannstedt’s defense holds opponents to three-year averages of PROFESSIONAL 41-23 mark from 2000-03 ranked fifth among all NFL 2.2 yards/rush and 10.9 points/game. DALLAS COWBOYS coaches…one of only three teams from 2000-03 to YEARS/POSITION: 1989-92, defensive coordinator; win nine or more games each season…2000 & 2001 PITTSBURGH 1992, assistant head coach. Florida Sports Awards Pro Coach of the Year. YEARS/POSITION: 2005-present, head coach. HIGHLIGHTS: Dallas wins Super Bowl XXVII, M HIGHLIGHTS: Named head coach on Dec. 23, 2004… defeating Buffalo, 52-17…the Cowboys’ 1992 COACHING STAFF becomes the 34th coach in program’s history and defense led NFL, allowing just 245.7 yards/game… ninth Pitt graduate to lead the Panthers...Pitt wins 19 named 1990 NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. games over the 2008-09 seasons, the second highest victory total in the Big East and one of the top 25 CHICAGO BEARS nationally over that stretch...the 2009 Panthers go YEARS/POSITION: 1993-98, head coach. 10-3 (Pitt’s highest win total since 1981), including a HIGHLIGHTS: Finishes as third-winningest PROFILES 19-17 victory over North Carolina in the Meineke Car coach in Bears’ history…named PANTHER Care Bowl, and finish with a No. 15 national ranking 1994 NFC Coach of the Year (highest since 1982)...produces three first team All- by UPI and Football News. Americans in four years, including linebackers H.B. Blades in 2006 and Scott McKillop in 2008, and tight end Dorin Dickerson in 2009...tailback Dion Lewis is college football’s most decorated freshman in 2009, 2009 SEASON IN REVIEW EODBO ITHSOYPOFOBL THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK

29 ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE LINE

Under the guidance of GREG GATTUSO, Pitt’s defensive line has emerged as one of the team’s major strengths. Three starters on Pitt’s defensive front were honored on the 2009 All-Big East Team. The Panthers, in fact, boasted the Big East Co-Defensive Players of the Year in defensive end Greg Romeus and defensive tackle Mick Williams, the first time in the conference’s history that teammates have shared the defensive MVP honor. Romeus and Williams were both PERSONAL INFORMATION first-team All-Big East selections, while defensive tackle Gus Mustakas BORN 5/18/62 was a second-team honoree. HOMETOWN Pittsburgh, Pa. The Gattuso Family (left to right): Greg, Kaitlin, Jacqueline and wife Colleen. Named to Dave Wannstedt’s ALMA MATER Penn State, ’83 original staff in 2005, Gattuso has FAMILY Gattuso and his wife Colleen have two made invaluable contributions to the Pitt football program on and off the field. As a result, he was daughters, Jacqueline (23) and Kaitlin (17). promoted to assistant head coach in 2008. This year marks Gattuso’s sixth season overall at Pitt and his fifth coaching the defensive line. COACHING EXPERIENCE Gattuso initially joined the Pitt staff as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. In his first season, he helped the Panthers sign a recruiting class rated the nation’s 10th best by Scout.com. COLLEGE A Western Pennsylvania native, Gattuso owns a winning resume as a coach and player on both the PENN STATE, 1984, graduate assistant. collegiate and high school levels. Before joining Pitt, Gattuso spent 12 years building neighboring DUQUESNE, 1987, assistant coach; 1992, Duquesne University into one of the elite I-AA football programs in the country. The winningest coach in assistant coach; 1993-2004, head coach. school history, the Dukes went 97-32 (.752) under his direction, won eight Metro Atlantic Athletic PITTSBURGH, 2005, tight ends & recruiting Conference (MAAC) titles, made five bowl appearances and captured the 2003 consensus Mid-Major coordinator; 2006-present, defensive line; Division I-AA national championship. 2008-present, assistant head coach. Gattuso was twice named the national Mid-Major I-AA Coach of the Year and was a seven-time MAAC HIGH SCHOOL Coach of the Year. The Dukes dominated the MAAC SETON-LASALLE (PA.), 1985, junior varsity during his tenure, going 66-7 (.904) in league play, coach; 1989-91, head coach. including a 33-game winning streak. CENTER TOWNSHIP (PA.), 1986, defensive Gattuso was an assistant coach at Duquesne in coordinator. 1992 before taking over the head coaching post the following year. He previously served as head coach at his high school alma mater, Seton-LaSalle, from 1989-91. Taking over a team that went 6-34 during the four seasons prior to his arrival, Gattuso led the Rebels to a 28-10-1 mark (.731), including three WPIAL playoff berths, a WPIAL championship and Parkway Conference title. A 1980 graduate of Seton-LaSalle, Gattuso was named the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Class AA Player of the Year his senior season and went on to a standout career at Penn State, where he was a two- time All-East defensive lineman and a member of the Lions’ 1982 national title team. Gattuso is a 1983 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in administration and criminal justice.

30 PHIL BENNETT DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

Nationally known as one of college football’s finest defensive coaches, PHIL BENNETT is in his third season at Pitt. The three-decade coaching veteran came to Pittsburgh in 2008 and has put his own imprint on the Panthers’ defense over the past two years. In 2009, Pitt led the entire country in sacks (3.62 sacks/game, 47 total). The Panthers also boasted impressive national ratings in rushing defense M (17th, 106.31 yards/game), scoring COACHING STAFF defense (19th, 19.77 points/game) and total defense (23rd, 319.31 The Bennett Family (from left to right): wife Julie, daughter Maddie, stepdaughter PERSONAL INFORMATION Katie White, Phil, stepdaughter Megan White and son Sam. yards/game). Six members of Pitt’s defense were BORN 12/3/55 named to the 2009 All-Big East Team, including the Co-Defensive Players of the Year in end Greg Romeus HOMETOWN Marshall, Texas and tackle Mick Williams. It was the first time in Big East history that two teammates shared the league’s ALMA MATER Texas A&M, ’78 PROFILES defensive MVP honor. FAMILY Bennett’s wife’s name is Julie. In PANTHER Bennett joined the Panthers after serving as head coach at Southern Methodist University from addition to his son Sam (22) and daughter 2002-07. Prior to SMU, he oversaw some of the country’s top defensive units while at such schools as Maddie (19), he has two stepchildren, Katie (22) Texas A&M, Kansas State and Louisiana State. and Megan (19). While rebuilding the program at SMU, Bennett improved the Mustangs’ win total for three consecutive seasons, including his 2006 team that reached bowl eligibility and achieved the program’s highest victory COACHING EXPERIENCE 2009 SEASON

total in a decade. That squad also received the Coaches Association’s (AFCA) 2006 IN REVIEW Academic Achievement Award after SMU earned a 100% graduation rate for its freshman class of 2000-01. COLLEGE Prior to SMU, Bennett was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Kansas State for three TEXAS A&M, 1979-81, defensive ends. years (1999-2001). During his tenure, the Wildcats finished among the nation’s top five in total defense TEXAS CHRISTIAN, 1982, tight ends & tackles. each season, including second in 1999 (235.0 yards/game), fourth in 2000 (270.54) and third in 2001 IOWA STATE, 1983-86, defensive coordinator. (262.36). PURDUE, 1987-90, defensive coordinator.

Bennett’s secondary units were equally impressive, finishing in the top 10 in pass efficiency defense LOUISIANA STATE, 1991, THIS IS PITT outside linebackers; PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK each year. The 1999 Wildcats led the entire country in pass efficiency defense with an impressive 65.7 1992-93, assistant head coach & outside rating. They also topped the nation in turnover margin (1.55 margin/game), collecting 21 interceptions and linebackers; 1994, assistant head coach, 17 . Two of his standouts in the secondary, Dyshod Carter and Jerametrius Butler, became just the defensive coordinator & secondary. second pair of KSU teammates to record 10 or more career interceptions. Both went on to play in the NFL. TEXAS A&M, 1995-96, defensive coordinator. In 1998, Bennett served as secondary coach and co-recruiting coordinator at Oklahoma as he helped TEXAS CHRISTIAN, 1997, defensive the Sooners finish sixth nationally in total defense. In 1997, he was the defensive coordinator at Texas coordinator & secondary. Christian and helped the Horned Frogs earn their highest defensive rankings in five years. OKLAHOMA, 1998, secondary & co-recruiting Bennett was the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M from 1995-96. American Football Quarterly coordinator. named him its 1995 “Defensive Coordinator of the Year” after the Aggies ranked in the nation’s top 10 in KANSAS STATE, 1999-2001, defensive every major defensive category, including total defense (third), scoring defense (third) and pass efficiency coordinator & secondary. defense (second). SOUTHERN METHODIST, 2002-07, head coach. From 1991-94, Bennett served at LSU, including his final three seasons as assistant head coach. In PITTSBURGH, 2008-present, defensive 1994 he was the Tigers’ defensive coordinator. That season, LSU led the Southeastern Conference in every coordinator. major defensive category and finished eighth nationally in total defense. Bennett’s positional focus was the outside linebackers his first three seasons and the secondary his final year in Baton Rouge. Prior to LSU, Bennett held defensive coordinator posts at Purdue (1987-90) and Iowa State (1983-86). In 1982 he coached TCU’s tight ends and tackles. Bennett began his coaching career at Texas A&M as a part-time defensive ends coach from 1979-80 before assuming a full-time position in 1981. Bennett is a 1978 graduate of Texas A&M with a B.S. in education. He was an All-Southwest Conference defensive end for the Aggies, helping them earn invitations to the Sun, Bluebonnet and Liberty bowls during his career.

31 FRANK CIGNETTI /

Pittsburgh native FRANK CIGNETTI, whose coaching resume includes two decades of experience on both the collegiate and NFL levels, enters his second year as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Pitt. Cignetti’s impact at Pitt was immediate. The Panthers averaged 32.1 points per game, one of the top five scoring averages in school history. Pitt’s offensive arsenal included a 1,700-yard rusher in Dion Lewis and 1,000-yard receiver in Jon Baldwin. Bill Stull ranked among the nation’s most efficient passers (No. 10 nationally, 150.6 rating), throwing for more PERSONAL INFORMATION than 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns. Seven Pitt offensive players were named BORN 10/4/65 All-Big East, including Lewis, who was honored The Cignetti Family, clockwise from top: Frank, wife Ellen, Ella, as the league’s Offensive Player of the Year and HOMETOWN Pittsburgh, Pa. Gabrielle and Alyssa. ALMA MATER Indiana University of Pa., ’88 Rookie of the Year. Lewis is the nation’s FAMILY Cignetti’s wife’s name is Ellen. leading returning rusher after averaging 138.38 yards per game last year. They have three daughters: Alyssa (10), Pitt topped the Big East in red zone offense (91.2% success rate), third-down conversions (43%) and Gabrielle (8) and Ella (5). fewest sacks (1.15 per game). Nationally, the Panthers ranked in the top 30 in nine different offensive categories, including a No. 9 rank in pass efficiency (150.79 rating). COACHING EXPERIENCE Cignetti was named one of college football’s top 10 offensive coordinators by Sporting News. He was Pitt’s 2009 nominee for the prestigious Broyles Award. PROFESSIONAL Cignetti joined Wannstedt’s staff after spending the 2008 season as the offensive coordinator and KANSAS CITY, 1999, quality control assistant. quarterbacks coach at the University of California. The Bears averaged nearly 33 points per game en NEW ORLEANS, 2000-01, quarterbacks. route to a 9-4 record and victory over Miami (Fla.) in the Emerald Bowl. While at Cal, he helped oversee SAN FRANCISCO, 2007, quarterbacks. the development of Jahvid Best, who ranked among college football’s most explosive performers. Best averaged 7.3 yards per carry as a collegian and was a No. 1 draft selection of the COLLEGE . PITTSBURGH, 1989, graduate assistant. Prior to Cal, Cignetti served as the ’ quarterbacks coach in 2007. His Pitt INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PA., appointment marked a return to the place where he landed his first coaching position as a Panthers 1990-92, receivers; 1993-94, secondary; graduate assistant in 1989. 1995-96, quarterbacks; 1997-98, offensive Cignetti’s family has deep ties to Pitt and Western Pennsylvania. His father, Frank Sr., was a Pitt coordinator & quarterbacks. assistant from 1966-68 and later the head coach at both West Virginia (1976-79) and Indiana University of FRESNO STATE, 2002-05 offensive coordinator. Pa. (1986-2005). His brother Curt was also a Pitt assistant (1983-84 and 1993-99) who is now at Alabama. NORTH CAROLINA, 2006, offensive coordinator. Prior to his 49ers post, Cignetti was the offensive coordinator at North Carolina (2006) and Fresno CALIFORNIA, 2008, offensive coordinator State (2002-05). In 2004 Fresno State averaged 52.8 points over its final six games and became just the & quarterbacks. sixth team in NCAA history to score 50 or more points in four consecutive contests. The Bulldogs twice PITTSBURGH, 2009-present, offensive finished among the nation’s top 10 in scoring and third-down conversions during Cignetti’s tenure. coordinator & quarterbacks. From 2000-01, Cignetti served as quarterbacks coach with the , where he worked with offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, now the head coach of the . The Saints ranked among the NFL’s most prolific and exciting offenses during Cignetti’s tenure and captured the 2000 NFC West crown. He helped Saints QB Jeff Blake to a career-best passer rating and also helped Aaron Brooks produce some of the best statistics of his career en route to a alternate selection. Cignetti landed his first NFL appointment in 1999 as a quality control assistant with the . From 1990-98, he was on his father’s staff at IUP, where he was an all-conference safety before earning his bachelor’s degree in 1988. He served IUP as receivers, secondary and quarterbacks coach before elevating to offensive coordinator. During his tenure, IUP twice advanced to the NCAA Division II national title game and earned a berth in the semifinals four times. Cignetti additionally has served on the coaching staffs for the and East-West Shrine all-star games.

32 BRIAN ANGELICHIO TIGHT ENDS EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

BRIAN ANGELICHIO is in his fifth year on Pitt’s coaching staff working with the tight ends, a positional group that has become an annual strength for the Panthers. The 2009 season was no exception. Pitt’s starting tight ends, and 2010 NFL Draft picks, Nate Byham (San Francisco 49ers) and Dorin Dickerson (), were both named to the All-Big East Team and were major assets for the Panthers’ powerful offensive attack. Dickerson, who set a Pitt tight end record with 10 touchdown catches last year, was named to the 2009 Football Writers Association All-America Team. He was the first Pitt tight end to earn that designation since the legendary Mike Ditka, a two-way end for the Panthers, was honored in 1960. Dickerson additionally was a finalist for the prestigious John Mackey Award. Byham repeated as an All-Big East selection in 2009, becoming the first Pitt tight end to twice earn all-conference. M Angelichio also oversaw the development of former Pitt tight end Darrell Strong, a free-agent signee of COACHING STAFF the Oakland Raiders in 2008. Strong was invited to the ’08 Hula Bowl, the first Pitt tight end to play in that historic all-star game since 1981. PERSONAL INFORMATION Angelichio joined Pitt as a well-rounded football coach following his 10-year tenure at Ithaca College (1996-2005). Named Ithaca’s offensive coordinator in 2000, Angelichio molded a highly productive unit BORN 12/27/72 that set or tied 30 team and individual records over his final five seasons. The Bombers averaged nearly HOMETOWN Ilion, N.Y. 40 points per game in 2005 to rank 18th nationally on the NCAA Division III level. ALMA MATER St. Lawrence, ’95 PROFILES Angelichio oversaw the development of seven All-Americans at Ithaca, which advanced to the PANTHER postseason in seven of his 10 years. His offenses averaged more than 30 points per game in six of his COACHING EXPERIENCE final eight seasons. Before elevating to his offensive coordinator post, Angelichio coached Ithaca’s linebackers (1996-97) and receivers (1998). He oversaw the offensive line from 1999-2005. COLLEGE In addition to football, Angelichio was a member of Ithaca’s baseball staff for nine years, helping the SUNY-BROCKPORT, 1995, secondary. Bombers to the NCAA playoffs each season. ITHACA, 1996-97, linebackers; 2009 SEASON

A 1995 graduate of St. Lawrence with a bachelor’s in physical education, Angelichio was a member of 1998, receivers; 1999-2005, offensive line; IN REVIEW the Saints’ football and baseball teams. He was a three-year starter at outside linebacker and also was a 2000-05, offensive coordinator. captain and four-year starter on the baseball team. Angelichio spent a season as secondary coach at PITTSBURGH, 2006, offensive assistant/tight Brockport (1995) before coming to Ithaca. He earned his master’s from Ithaca in 1997. ends; 2007-present, tight ends. EODBO ITHSOYPOFOBL THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK

33 JR. LINEBACKERS

Dave Wannstedt tapped into his Florida past to find the newest member of his coaching staff. BERNARD CLARK JR., a standout player on Wannstedt’s great defenses at the University of Miami during the late 1980s, was named Pitt’s linebacker coach in February. Clark himself was a linebacker for the Miami Hurricanes from 1985-89 and played on two national championship teams (’87 and ’89). He was a prominent contributor during PERSONAL INFORMATION Wannstedt’s tenure as Miami’s defensive coordinator from 1986-88, BORN 1/12/67 a three-year stretch that saw the HOMETOWN Tampa, Fla. Hurricanes limit its opponents to just ALMA MATER Miami (Fla.), ’89 Bernard and Tammy Clark Jr. 2.2 yards per rush and 10.9 points FAMILY Clark’s wife’s name is Tammy. per game. In the 1988 Orange Bowl against No. 1 Oklahoma, Clark started at middle linebacker and collected 14 COACHING EXPERIENCE tackles, including 12 solo stops, to earn Most Valuable Player honors. The Hurricanes topped the Sooners, 20-14, to cap a 12-0 season and claim the national title. COLLEGE Clark joins Pitt after serving as the defensive coordinator at Hampton University during the 2009 JAMES MADISON, 1998-99, defensive ends. season. He began his collegiate coaching career at James Madison University, where he coached LIBERTY, 2000-03, linebackers & special teams. defensive ends for two seasons (1998-99). He then moved to Liberty University, serving as linebacker FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL, 2004-05, coach and overseeing special defensive coordinator & linebackers. teams from 2000-03. SOUTH FLORIDA, 2006, defensive line. Clark had two stints at Florida FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL, 2007-08, International University (FIU), defensive line. initially serving as defensive HAMPTON, 2009, defensive coordinator. coordinator and linebackers coach PITTSBURGH, 2010, linebackers. during the 2004 and ’05 seasons. He then spent a year in the Big East Conference at the University of South Florida, coaching the Bulls’ defensive line in 2006, before returning to FIU for the ’07 and ’08 seasons. Clark graduated from Miami in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a third-round selection of the in the 1990 draft and spent three seasons in the NFL, including time with the Bengals and . Clark also played two years in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators (1994 and ’96). A native of Tampa, Fla., Clark was a decorated athlete at Leto High School.

34 SECONDARY EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

JEFF HAFLEY enters his third year as Pitt’s secondary coach and fifth season overall on Dave Wannstedt’s staff. One of the Big East’s brightest young coaches, Hafley previously served as Pitt’s defensive graduate assistant in 2006 and ’07 with a specific focus on the cornerbacks. He was promoted to his current capacity during the 2008 offseason and has established himself as a major asset M for the Panthers on the field and the COACHING STAFF recruiting trail. The 2009 season was a PERSONAL INFORMATION continuation of that trend. Hafley had two of his defensive backs selected to BORN 4/4/79 the All-Big East Team, including Jeff and Gina Hafley. HOMETOWN Montvale, N.J. cornerback Aaron Berry and strong ALMA MATER Siena, ’01 PROFILES safety Dom DeCicco. It was the second All-Big East honor for Berry, who played in the prestigious East- FAMILY Hafley married the former PANTHER West Shrine Bowl and signed with the Detroit Lions following his successful senior season. Gina Pomponio this past July. Moreover, free safety Jarred Holley drew accolades as one of the top impact freshmen in the Big East following his productive debut season in 2009. COACHING EXPERIENCE Prior to Pitt, Hafley served at the University of Albany for four seasons (2002-05), including his final two as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. In his initial two years Hafley was a graduate COLLEGE 2009 SEASON

assistant who coached Albany’s defensive tackles and outside linebackers. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, IN REVIEW While at Albany, Hafley oversaw the development of cornerback/roverback Kurt Campbell, who went on 2001, running backs. to become the first player in school history to be selected in the NFL Draft. Campbell was drafted by the ALBANY, 2002-03, defensive assistant/ Green Bay Packers in 2005 before going on to join the . defensive tackles & outside linebackers; Hafley served as the running backs coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute during the 2001 season. 2004-05, defensive backs & recruiting coordinator. In addition to overseeing the running backs, he also worked significantly with WPI’s special teams and PITTSBURGH, 2006-07, defensive coached the kickers. assistant/cornerbacks; 2008-present, THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL secondary. PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK Hafley was a four-year wide receiver at Siena College from 1997-2000. He began his coaching career at his alma mater while recovering from three separate surgeries that kept him off the field. Hafley is a 2001 cum laude graduate of Siena with a bachelor’s degree in history. He earned his master’s from Albany in 2003.

35 SCOTT TURNER WIDE RECEIVERS

SCOTT TURNER, an offensive assistant the past two seasons for the Pitt football program, was promoted to wide receivers coach this past January by Dave Wannstedt. As a member of Pitt’s offensive staff in 2008 and 2009, Turner aided in the accomplishment of back- to-back 1,000-yard rushers in LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis. He also contributed to a 2009 unit that produced a 1,700-yard rusher (Lewis) and 1,000-yard receiver (Jon Baldwin). Lewis was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, compiling a Pitt freshman-record 1,799 rush yards and 18 total touchdowns. Pitt averaged 32.1 points per game in 2009, one of the top five scoring averages in school history. A former quarterback at UNLV, Turner joined the Pitt staff in 2008 after working the prior two years on the prep level at South County Secondary School in Virginia. As South County’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, he helped the program to its first-ever playoff berth and also orchestrated an offense that produced two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season. In 2005, Turner was an administrative graduate assistant at Oregon State under . His PERSONAL INFORMATION responsibilities included assisting in all aspects of the Beavers’ program with a special focus on the offense’s weekly preparation. BORN 8/7/82 Turner was a three-year letterman at UNLV, earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the HOMETOWN Oakton, Va. university in 2005. ALMA MATER University of Nevada, Scott is the son of , the current head coach of the San Las Vegas (UNLV), ’05 Diego Chargers. Norv and Dave Wannstedt served together on Jimmy Johnson’s Dallas Cowboys staffs of the early 1990s. Norv additionally COACHING EXPERIENCE was offensive coordinator with the Dolphins in 2002 and 2003 during Wannstedt’s head coaching tenure in Miami. COLLEGE OREGON STATE, 2005, administrative assistant. PITTSBURGH, 2008-09, offensive assistant; 2010, wide receivers.

HIGH SCHOOL SOUTH COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL (VA.), 2006-07, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

36 DAVID WALKER RUNNING BACKS EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

DAVID WALKER is in his sixth season as running backs coach at Pitt and has been instrumental in helping the Panthers develop a potent, game- changing rushing attack. Pitt is quickly developing a reputation for producing top-flight backs. Former Panthers LeSean McCoy and LaRod Stephens-Howling enjoyed productive rookie years in the NFL last year, while Dion Lewis arrived on the M Pitt scene in 2009 and finished his COACHING STAFF debut season as the most decorated freshman in college football. PERSONAL INFORMATION The country’s third-leading rusher (138.38 yards per game), Lewis was BORN 12/4/69 named the National Freshman of The Walker Family (left to right): Jalen, David, Jordan and Marilin. HOMETOWN Rochester, N.Y. the Year by Sporting News and ALMA MATER Syracuse, ’93 PROFILES CBSSports.com. He was selected to no fewer than eight All-America teams and additionally was honored FAMILY Walker and his wife Marilin have two PANTHER as the Big East’s Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, becoming the first player since sons, Jalen (11) and Jordan (9). Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick in 1999 to earn both honors in the same season. Lewis rushed for 1,799 yards on 325 carries (5.5 avg.), surpassing the 36-year-old Pitt freshman mark COACHING EXPERIENCE held by the legendary Tony Dorsett (1,686 in 1973). Overall, Lewis’ total was the second-highest single- season rushing mark in Pitt history, trailing only Dorsett’s 2,150 yards in 1976, the same year he won the COLLEGE 2009 SEASON

Heisman Trophy and the Panthers won the national championship with a 12-0 record. SYRACUSE, 1995-2004, running backs. IN REVIEW Lewis totaled 18 touchdowns (17 rushing) for a Pitt freshman-record 108 points, breaking the prior PITTSBURGH, 2005-present, running backs. frosh record of 90 set in 2007 by McCoy. McCoy, now of the , was a major beneficiary of Walker’s influence. In just two HIGH SCHOOL collegiate seasons, he rushed for 2,816 yards and scored 36 touchdowns, both Pitt records for production CAROL CITY (FLA.), 1994, assistant coach. as a freshman and sophomore.

A 2008 unanimous All-Big East selection and the media’s Big East Offensive Player of the Year, McCoy THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK ranked second in the nation in scoring (tied, 9.69 points/game) and 10th in rushing (114.46 yards/game) that year. He finished with 1,488 yards to become only the third Pitt running back to achieve multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Stephens-Howling was a four-year letterman at tailback for Pitt and now is a member of the . Stephens-Howling compiled more than 3,100 all-purpose yards as a Panther. In total, Walker has coached eight backs who have gone on to play in the NFL. Before joining Pitt, Walker served as running backs coach at Syracuse from 1995-2004, and tutored four 1,000-yard rushers in his last five years with the Orange. Syracuse boasted a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield in 2004 with All-Big East running backs Walter Reyes and Damien Rhodes combining for 1,673 yards and 17 touchdowns. Reyes finished his career as SU’s second all-time leading rusher with 3,424 yards. Walker oversaw four consecutive 1,000-yard rushers from 2000-03, a Syracuse record. In ’03, Reyes rushed for 1,347 yards, the second-highest single-season total in school history. His 21 touchdowns set an Orange record. Overall, Walker coached three of the Orange’s top seven all-time leading rushers. A 1993 graduate of Syracuse, Walker was an outstanding running back himself, twice earning All-Big East honors. He captained the 1992 team, leading it to a No. 6 national ranking, 10-2 overall record and 26-22 victory over Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl. Walker remains the sixth-leading rusher in Orange history with 2,643 yards. Following a year as an assistant coach at Miami’s Carol City High School in 1994-95, Walker rejoined his alma mater and helped the Orange to four Big East championships. Including his playing career, he has been part of 14 bowl games. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1993.

37 TONY WISE OFFENSIVE LINE

TONY WISE, an accomplished 37-year coaching veteran of collegiate and professional football, is in his third season as Pitt’s offensive line coach. Wise’s offensive line was instrumental in helping the Panthers’ average 32.1 points per game last year, one of the top five scoring averages in school history. The Panthers gave up only 1.15 sacks per game, tops in the Big East and 16th nationally. Moreover, Pitt’s offensive front paved the way for the country’s No. 3 rusher in Dion Lewis (138.38 yards per game). Lewis’ total of 1,799 PERSONAL INFORMATION yards is the second-highest single-season total in Pitt history. BORN 12/28/51 Under Wise’s guidance, guard John Malecki and tackle Jason Pinkston were first-team All-Big East HOMETOWN Newtonville, N.Y. honorees in 2009. Pinkston was also named a second team All-American by SI.com and Rivals.com. ALMA MATER Ithaca, ’73 In 2008, Pitt’s offensive line helped produce the nation’s 10th-leading rusher in LeSean McCoy (1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns). Offensive guard C.J. Davis was selected first team All-Big East that year and COACHING EXPERIENCE now is a member of the . Wise’s Pitt appointment reunited him with Dave Wannstedt, who he coached with on six prior PROFESSIONAL occasions, and returned him to a place where he received one of his first college coaching positions. DALLAS, 1989-92, offensive line. Wannstedt and Wise first worked together on Jackie Sherrill’s Pitt coaching staff during the 1977 and CHICAGO, 1993-98, offensive line; ’78 seasons. Wannstedt coached receivers and special teams under Sherrill, while Wise was the Panthers’ 1995-98, assistant head coach. assistant offensive line coach. They would go on to serve on the same staffs with Oklahoma State, the CAROLINA, 1999-2000, offensive line. University of Miami, the Dallas Cowboys and during Wannstedt’s head coaching tenures with the Chicago MIAMI, 2001-04, offensive line. Bears and Miami Dolphins. NEW YORK JETS, 2006-07, offensive line. Prior to his 2008 return to Pitt, Wise spent 18 years coaching offensive lines in the National Football League, including the 2006 and ’07 seasons with the New York Jets. From 2001-04, he spent four seasons COLLEGE at Miami, where his offensive lines helped produce the two highest individual single-season rushing ALBANY STATE, 1973, outside linebackers. totals in franchise history. During the 2002 season, the Dolphins rushed for 156.4 yards per game to rank BRIDGEPORT, 1974, offensive line. first in the AFC and second in the NFL. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 1975, From 1999-2000, Wise served with the Carolina Panthers. During the ’99 season, Carolina averaged offensive line. 4.3 yards per rush to rank fifth in the NFL. Wise served on Wannstedt’s Chicago staff from 1993-98. In WASHINGTON STATE, 1976, assistant four of those six seasons, the Bears ranked in the top 10 of the NFL in fewest sacks allowed, including a offensive line coach. league-low 15 in 1995. Wise added the duties of assistant head coach his final four seasons in Chicago. PITTSBURGH, 1977-78, assistant offensive Wise’s NFL career began in 1989 with the Dallas Cowboys, where he coached the offensive line for four line coach. seasons (1989-92) under Jimmy Johnson. Wise’s line paved the way for , who claimed back- OKLAHOMA STATE, 1979-83, offensive line. to-back NFL rushing titles in 1991 and 1992. Smith rushed for 1,563 yards during the ’91 campaign and SYRACUSE, 1984, offensive line. 1,713 during the Cowboys’ Super Bowl championship season in ’92. MIAMI (FLA.), 1985-88, offensive line. Dallas rolled past Buffalo, 52-17, in Super Bowl XXVII, the Cowboys’ first NFL title in 15 years. Wise’s PITTSBURGH, 2008-present, offensive line. offensive front was vital to the championship run, allowing the second-fewest sacks in the NFL (23). He coached a pair of 1992 Pro Bowlers in center , a former Pitt standout, and guard . Wise also served under Johnson while with the Miami Hurricanes from 1985-88. His UM tenure witnessed the Hurricanes’ emergence as a national power. Miami went 34-2 during Wise’s final three seasons there, including a 12-0 mark in winning the 1987 national championship. A native of Newtonville, N.Y., Wise was an offensive lineman at Ithaca College from 1969-72. He also lettered in lacrosse at Ithaca and played on the school’s hockey team. Wise began his coaching career in 1973 at Albany State, where he worked with the outside linebackers. He later coached the offensive lines at Bridgeport (1974), Central Connecticut (1975) and on Jackie Sherrill’s staff at Washington State (in 1976 as assistant offensive line coach). Wise’s additional collegiate stops include Oklahoma State (under Jimmy Johnson from 1979-83) and Syracuse (1984).

38 BUDDY MORRIS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

Pitt players and coaches alike readily credit BUDDY MORRIS’ strength and conditioning program as a vital factor in the Panthers’ consecutive trips to the postseason. Game-changing strength and conditioning levels are what Dave Wannstedt envisioned when he lured Morris back to Pitt to oversee the Panthers’ physical development in December 2006. His arrival infused the M Pitt weight room with a new sense of COACHING STAFF purpose and dedication, resulting in elevated performance on the field. PERSONAL INFORMATION Not coincidentally, Pitt has won eight games over the last three BORN 9/29/57 seasons with fourth-quarter Buddy and Monica Morris. HOMETOWN South Park, Pa. comebacks, including its 19-17 victory ALMA MATER Pittsburgh, ’80 PROFILES over North Carolina in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl. “We want to be getting stronger as the game FAMILY Morris is married to the former Monica PANTHER goes on,” Morris says. “We train and prepare so that when the fourth quarter comes and the game is on Rose Duncan. He has two daughters, the line, we’re ready to respond.” Kara (23) and Claire (18), and two stepsons, Pitt’s weight room, dubbed the “Pitt Iron Works” by Morris, was recently honored by Muscle & Fitness Fred (23) and Troy (15). magazine as one of the “top 10 toughest gyms in the United States.” Pitt Iron Works “is home to a college strength and conditioning program unlike any other,” writes COACHING EXPERIENCE 2009 SEASON

Muscle & Fitness. “Nobody does it like Pitt,” says Elite Fitness Systems owner Dave Tate. “I deal with just IN REVIEW about every program in the country, and what they’re doing there is unique. From what I’ve seen, Iron COLLEGE Works is the primary reason for Pitt’s turnaround, and the work they’re doing will keep them among PITTSBURGH, 1980-89, 1997-2001, 2007- college football’s best for years to come.” present, strength and conditioning coach. Morris owns an accomplished history of training elite players at both the collegiate and NFL levels. BUFFALO, 2006-07, director of sports The 1980 Pitt graduate previously served as the football team’s strength and conditioning coach from performance.

1980-89 and 1997-2001. THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK “Buddy Morris has trained some of the greatest names in college and professional football,” PROFESSIONAL Wannstedt said. “He knows what it takes to make a football player — and a football team — reach his CLEVELAND, 2002-05, strength and highest potential in strength training and physical conditioning.” conditioning coach. His workout regimens are highly regarded and include a focus on strength training, speed development, conditioning, agility training and flexibility. Morris’ take on football strength and conditioning was featured on ESPN.com this past offseason. Morris rejoined Pitt after serving at the University of Buffalo in 2006 as its director of sports performance and was directly responsible for training the Bulls’ football team. Prior to Buffalo, he was the head strength and conditioning coach for the from 2002-05, serving under head coach . In his prior Pitt training stints, Morris’ pupils included such legendary figures as Jim Covert, Bill Fralic, , and Mark Stepnoski among others. He additionally trained latter-day Pitt stars Ruben Brown and Curtis Martin, two of the NFL’s most accomplished players over the past decade. A former Pitt student-athlete himself, Morris was a four-year letterman in track and field for the Panthers from 1977-80.

39 CHRIS LASALA ASSISTANT AD/FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

CHRIS LASALA is in his 14th year as director of football operations at the University of Pittsburgh. LaSala is in his 11th year as an assistant athletic director. A native of nearby Aliquippa, Pa., LaSala is truly the Panthers’ master of multi-tasking. He coordinates and oversees travel accommodations, including Pitt’s victorious trip to the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl, as well as youth summer camps, the annual coaches clinic, preseason camp PERSONAL INFORMATION arrangements and all day-to-day administration for the Pitt football BORN 1/7/66 team. LaSala also serves as the football HOMETOWN Aliquippa, Pa. program’s liaison to numerous campus ALMA MATER West Virginia, ’88 offices and within the athletic FAMILY LaSala and his wife Dana have a six- department. In 2004 he was named a recipient year-old son, Anthony. The LaSala Family: Chris with wife Dana and son Anthony. of the prestigious Chancellor’s Award EXPERIENCE for Staff Excellence in service to the University of Pittsburgh. In 2006 LaSala was recognized as an “Outstanding Graduate” of Temple University’s sport/recreation administration program. TEMPLE, 1988, graduate assistant. LaSala was a chief coordinator and planner for Pitt’s move to its state-of-the-art practice facility, the PITTSBURGH, 1989, athletic department intern. UPMC Sports Performance Complex. He has been instrumental in the planning of Pitt’s trips to the 2008 TEMPLE, 1990, football administrative assistant; , 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, 2003 Continental Tire Bowl, 2002 Insight Bowl, 2001 Visit Florida 1991-93, department recruiting coordinator; Tangerine Bowl, 2000 Insight.com Bowl and 1997 AXA/Equitable 1993, assistant athletic director. Liberty Bowl. BOSTON COLLEGE, 1994-96, director of LaSala’s career in athletics began at Temple, where he served football operations. as a graduate assistant. He then came to the University of PITTSBURGH, 1997-present, director of Pittsburgh as an athletic department intern in 1989. football operations; 2000-present, assistant Prior to his 1997 Pitt appointment he served three years as the athletic director. director of football operations at Boston College (1994-96), where he handled all the administrative duties for the football program, including overseeing the travel arrangements and organizing BC’s youth camps. During his BC tenure, the Eagles captured the 1994 Aloha Bowl and participated in the 1995 Kickoff Classic. Before Boston College, LaSala spent four years at Temple (1990-93) as recruiting coordinator and ultimately was elevated to assistant athletic director. He initially joined Temple as a graduate assistant in 1988 and then returned to the Owls’ football staff in 1990 as the administrative assistant. LaSala graduated from West Virginia in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Temple in 1991.

40 BOB JUNKO DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL RELATIONS AND PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

M COACHING STAFF

PERSONAL INFORMATION

BORN 7/4/46 HOMETOWN Washington, Pa. ALMA MATER Tulsa, ’68 PROFILES FAMILY Junko’s wife’s name is Judy. Their family PANTHER includes sons Jay and his wife Kim, Jeff and his wife Meredith, Mike and his wife Mistydae. Bob and Judy have six grandchildren: Ryan, Joshua, Caleb, Bryn, Ethan and Lila Rose. 2009 SEASON

The Junko Family — top row, left to right: Jeff, Jay and Mike. Middle Row: Meredith, Kim and Mistydae. Bottom row: Joshua, Caleb, COACHING EXPERIENCE IN REVIEW Bob (holding Bryn), Judy (holding Lila), Ethan and Ryan. COLLEGE After spending nearly four decades in the coaching ranks, BOB JUNKO moved to the administrative side TULSA, 1968, graduate assistant; 1969, of college football in 2007 as Pitt’s director of football relations and program enhancement. freshman coach; 1970-74, linebackers; 1975, Junko is a natural for the role given his tremendous football acumen and contacts. Now in his fourth defensive coordinator. year in that capacity, he assists in the daily operations of the program and also has a focus on the TEXAS CHRISTIAN, 1976-81, THIS IS PITT defensive PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK Panthers’ extended family of football alumni. coordinator; 1979-81, assistant head coach. One of the best-known football figures in the tri-state area, Junko has been a highly valuable figure PITTSBURGH, 1982-85, defensive coordinator within the Pitt program. He played a major role in the Panthers’ recruiting successes earlier this decade & linebackers. and in 2006 was named one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters by Rivals.com. NORTHWESTERN, 1986-87, defensive The 2010 season marks the 14th year of Junko’s second tour at Pittsburgh. He initially coached at Pitt coordinator. from 1982-85, serving as defensive coordinator under head coach . He returned in 1997 as AKRON, 1988-94, associate head coach & defensive tackles coach under and was elevated to assistant head coach in 2000. defensive coordinator. Prior to returning to Pittsburgh, Junko was the defensive coordinator at Kent State from 1995-96. KENT STATE, 1995-96, defensive coordinator & Junko also served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator for seven years at Akron (1988- linebackers. 94). He additionally held similar positions at Northwestern, TCU and Tulsa, his alma mater. PITTSBURGH, 1997-2005, defensive tackles; In his first stint with the Panthers, the 1982 team received a Cotton Bowl bid and finished ninth in 2000-2006, assistant head coach; 2006, the country. The 1983 Panthers earned a Fiesta Bowl berth and ranked 19th in the final polls. recruiting coordinator; 2007-present, director of Among the standouts on those defenses were tackle , defensive end Chris Doleman and football relations and program enhancement. defensive backs Tim Lewis and Tom Flynn, all of whom went on to careers in the NFL. As a collegian, Junko starred at Tulsa as an inside linebacker and was an Honorable Mention All- American in 1967. He also was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team twice and served as team captain. Junko earned a bachelor’s degree in history education in 1968 and his master’s in educational administration in 1970 at Tulsa. He was inducted into the University of Tulsa Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

41 ROB BLANC HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER/DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

ROB BLANC is in his 23rd year as head football athletic trainer and clinical instructor at Pitt. With his exceptional sports medicine knowledge and experience, Blanc is a tremendous resource for the entire Pitt athletic department. Since his appointment as head athletic trainer in 1993, he has been responsible for overseeing all of the clinical medical services for Pitt. Blanc additionally has led Pitt’s Performance Team the last 10 years. The Performance Team is a unique blending of the university’s numerous resources to serve the total well being of Pitt student-athletes. Blanc coordinates sports coverage, budget, inventory, drug testing and counseling. Additionally, he is an adjunct clinical instructor for Pitt’s undergraduate athletic training curriculum, approved by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). In 2009, Blanc co-authored the textbook Emergency Care in Athletic Training with three graduates of the University of Pittsburgh. Blanc graduated from Slippery Rock in 1982 and earned his master’s in athletic training in 1984 from PERSONAL INFORMATION Ohio University. He is also a certified paramedic and was involved in an emergency medical service for 17 years in nearby Bethel Park. BORN 2/28/60 A native of Pittsburgh, Blanc served as head athletic trainer at neighboring Duquesne University for HOMETOWN Bethel Park, Pa. two years before joining the Panthers’ staff. ALMA MATER Slippery Rock, ’82 Blanc began his athletic training career as the head athletic trainer at New Lexington (Ohio) High FAMILY Blanc’s wife’s name is Peggy. He has School in 1983. A year later, he began working for the on a part-time basis, serving at three children: Jason (20), Jordan (18) and training camp and at all home games. Shannon (15).

Rob and his wife Peggy.

42 FOOTBALL STAFF EI NOMTO 2010 PREVIEW MEDIA INFORMATION

MATT DUDEK LUKE GETSY

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT Matt Dudek enters his first year as assistant Luke Getsy enters his first season as an offensive director of football operations. Dudek enters this new assistant with the Pitt program after spending one position after serving as an academic counselor for season as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia football for two seasons. In addition, he also served as Wesleyan College. Getsy will work extensively with the academic coordinator for women’s tennis and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti and Pitt’s gymnastics and was the Disability Resource Services quarterbacks. liaison and the Continuing Eligibility Certification Getsy returns to Pitt after suiting up for the representative. Dudek was familiar with the football Panthers from 2002 to 2003 at quarterback. The program prior to joining the academic staff as he Munhall, Pa., native completed his career at Akron, spent two years as a video graduate assistant for breaking or tying 24 school records, while leading the M COACHING STAFF the Panthers. Zips to a Mid-American Conference title in 2005. In 2008, Dudek earned his Instruction and Learning Master’s of Education, After spending training camp with the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free graduating summa cum laude. He earned his Pennsylvania Instructional agent in 2007, Getsy returned to Akron and spent two seasons as a graduate Certification in Secondary Social Studies Education in 2007 and currently assistant/quarterbacks coach, before being hired as offensive coordinator at works as a mentor to inner-city youth. West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2009. Dudek earned a degree in psychology with related area in linguistics from Getsy is a 2007 graduate of Akron in marketing management and sales Pitt in 2003, graduating with cum laude honors. Following graduation, he management. He is married to the former Tina Smith, also of Munhall. worked at Maxim Crane Works as the assistant to the CEO/general manager PROFILES and went on to become the youngest general manager in company history. PANTHER Dudek is married to the former Lindsay Campbell, who earned her DEMETREUS H. DARDEN Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2006 from the Pitt School of Pharmacy. The couple resides in Penn Township with their daughter Abigail. FOOTBALL ACADEMIC COUNSELOR Demetreus Darden enters his fifth year as an academic counselor with the Pitt football program, ERIC THATCHER and is in his ninth year working with students at the

collegiate level. 2009 SEASON DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT Darden, a native of Farrell, Pa., joined the University IN REVIEW Eric Thatcher, a former standout safety at Pitt of Pittsburgh in December 2005. His primary from 2004-08, enters his first season as a defensive responsibilities at Pitt are monitoring academic assistant for the Panthers. Thatcher rejoined his alma development, course scheduling and degree completion mater after coaching the defensive backs at nearby of junior and senior football players. St. Vincent College last year. In addition to his responsibilities with football, In addition to assisting defensive coordinator Phil Darden serves as the academic coordinator for the Bennett with the Panthers’ weekly game planning, men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. THIS IS PITT PRO FOOTBALL PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK Thatcher will have a positional focus on the linebackers. Prior to his time at Pitt, Darden worked at neighboring Carnegie Mellon Thatcher finished his Pitt career by making 25 University as a program associate, working in support services for consecutive starts at free safety. He was considered minority students. the “quarterback” of the Panthers’ secondary his junior Darden graduated from Kent State in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in and senior seasons, making all the calls in the defensive backfield. His play history. Shortly after graduation he began his career in higher education as a helped the 2007 unit surrender only 297 yards per game to rank fifth student-activities coordinator at Kent State University’s Trumbull Campus. nationally. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Thatcher was a first team All-Greater Catholic League performer at famed Cincinnati Moeller High. A four-year varsity CHARLES SMALL contributor, he distinguished himself as a defensive back and all-purpose player on offense. FOOTBALL ACADEMIC COUNSELOR Thatcher earned his bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Pitt Charles Small enters his first year as an academic in 2008. counselor for football, and his third overall in the Pitt athletic department. Small comes to academics from the Panther Game Plan Life Skills Program, where he served as the Assistant Director of Life Skills for two years. While a part of Pitt’s Life Skills program, Small’s primary role was to coordinate and track the community service projects for student-athletes and assist in coordinating life skills programs associated with the Panther Game Plan’s other commitment areas including Athletic Achievement, Academic Achievement, Career and Graduate School Preparation, Personal Development, Health and Wellness, Financial Education and Character and Leadership Development.

43 FOOTBALL STAFF

CHARLES SMALL (CONTINUED) From 1998-2003, Smith served in the United States Navy. A year-and-a- half of his five-year enlistment was spent in Basic Underwater Demolition As a walk-on on the Pitt men’s basketball team from 2002-06, Small SEAL training in Coronado, Calif. As a result, James continues to consult with earned three varsity letters. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in U.S. Navy SEALs and other military special operations commandos, both foreign 2006 with a social work degree and earned several academic honors including and domestic, in their training. Big East Academic Honor Roll status and University of Pittsburgh Scholar- Smith graduated cum laude from Berklee College of Music. He is a certified Athlete accolades throughout his undergraduate career. In 2007, Small strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength obtained a master’s degree in social work. Currently, he is working on a and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and additionally is certified in CPR. doctorate degree in higher education management in the School of Education. Small is married to fellow University of Pittsburgh alumnus Celeste Small. TIM DUNLAVEY

JEN TUSCANO ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER Tim Dunlavey enters his third season as an assistant FOOTBALL ACADEMIC COUNSELOR athletic trainer for the Pitt football team. He assists Jen Tuscano, in her seventh year as an academic head athletic trainer Rob Blanc in all aspects of the coordinator at Pitt, begins her second season with the Panthers’ sports medicine needs. football team in 2010. Dunlavey came to Pitt from Penn State, where he Tuscano will work primarily with the freshman served as an assistant athletic trainer for their men’s class, and also continues her duties as academic and women’s track and field teams in 2007-08. coordinator for the Pitt women’s basketball program The 2004 Pitt graduate in rehabilitation sciences and the men’s soccer team. In addition to her earned his master’s in allied health management from responsibilities on the academic side, Tuscano Ohio State in 2007, where he also served as a lends her knowledge and insight to the women’s graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Buckeye basketball radio broadcasts. football team. In between his two degrees, Dunlavey served as a certified In her first season at Pitt, Tuscano helped lead the athletic training intern with the Northwestern football team from 2004-2005. women’s basketball team to Academic All-America Team status and has been He is an NATABOC certified athletic trainer with certified first aid, CPR and instrumental in head coach Agnus Berenato’s seven-year perfect record of AED training and is an accredited clinical instructor. graduating players who have completed their eligibility as a Panther. Tuscano joined the Panthers after serving as the athletic director at Meyersdale Area School District, where she was responsible for scheduling all DALE THORNTON athletics events, as well as directing and supervising after-school tutoring programs for student-athletes. Tuscano also served as head coach of the GRADUATE ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER Meyersdale Area Junior High girl’s basketball team from 1997-2004 and was a Dale Thornton enters his first year as a graduate member of the Meyersdale Athletic Boosters, the PIAA District 5 Committee assistant athletic trainer for Pitt football. Thornton and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. earned his Bachelor of Science degree in athletic Tuscano received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh training in April of 2010 from the University at Johnstown in 1999, where she spent four years on the women’s basketball of Pittsburgh. team. She completed her master’s degree in sports science from Indiana In addition to stints with Pitt football, swimming University of Pennsylvania in 2007. and diving and baseball as an undergraduate, Thornton worked at Carnegie Mellon University from January to April of 2010 as an athletic training student. JAMES SMITH In the summer of 2009, Thornton served as an athletic training intern with the Pittsburgh Pirates. ASSISTANT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH Thornton, a McKeesport native, is a student member of the National James Smith enters his fourth season with Pitt Athletic Trainers Association, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society and football, teaming with Buddy Morris in overseeing the the Eastern Athletic Trainers Association. In addition, Thornton is certified Panthers’ physical preparation regimen. in CPR and AED by the American Red Cross and an EMT by the Pennsylvania Smith boasts impressive experience in physical Department of Health. preparation training. He lectures, consults and has written extensively on the subject, authoring two training manuals and a lecture DVD sold worldwide. He has also served as editor to select publications by Dr. Yuri Verkhoshansky and teamed with six-time Ultimate Fighting Champion Randy Couture as a co-author in writing a book outlining Couture’s training and physical preparation for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Smith joined Pitt after a three-year tenure at West Valley High School in Cottonwood Calif., where he was a physical education advisor, track and field coach and physical preparation coach for the school’s highly successful football program. James and his wife Amber also founded, owned and operated the Power Development Inc., training hall for athletes in Cottonwood.

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CHAD LEE DENNIS TUSCIC

ASSISTANT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH VIDEO GRADUATE ASSISTANT Chad Lee enters his third season as a full-time Dennis Tuscic enters his second season as a video assistant coach with Pitt’s strength and conditioning graduate assistant for the Panthers under director Jeff program after serving three years as a graduate Wallo. In this capacity, he serves the team’s various assistant. In this capacity Lee assists Buddy Morris practice and game film needs. and James Smith with the Panthers’ various training Tuscic handles the creation and production of regimens throughout the year. filming practices and games, as well as highlights. A 2004 graduate of Louisville with a bachelor’s The New Brighton, Pa., native earned his degree in degree in justice administration, Lee was a standout economics from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008. linebacker for the Cardinals. He lettered at UL from Tuscic is currently working on his MBA from Pitt’s Katz 1999-2002, helping the Cardinals to four consecutive Graduate School of Business. M COACHING STAFF bowl games and two Conference USA titles. Lee was named to the league’s All-Freshman Team and was also a UL Defensive MVP. JEFF WALLO VIDEO ASSISTANT VIDEO COORDINATOR Rod Rutherford, a two-time All-Big East quarterback during his Jeff Wallo enters his second season as the Panthers’ accomplished Pitt career from 1999-2003, returned to his alma mater in 2009

video coordinator. as a graduate assistant and will continue on in 2010 as a video assistant. PROFILES PANTHER Wallo came to Pittsburgh from the NFL, where he Rutherford, who spent 2008 as secondary coach at nearby St. Vincent served as an assistant video director for the Cleveland College, served as a defensive assistant last season Browns from 2001-09. In 1999, Wallo first joined the with his positional focus on the linebackers. Browns’ staff as an intern and was promoted to a full- Rutherford finished his collegiate career as one of time video assistant for the 2000 season. the most prolific signal-callers in Pitt and Big East Wallo got his start on the collegiate level at Ohio history. As a senior he was a unanimous first-team

State, where he served as a student assistant for video All-Big East selection after setting five conference 2009 SEASON for two seasons prior to his graduation in 1998. records. IN REVIEW The Youngstown, Ohio, native is married to wife He additionally set or tied seven Pitt marks, Rashel. The couple has a son, Jackson, born August 25, 2008. matching a pair of longstanding records established by the legendary Dan Marino, including single-season touchdown passes (37) and consecutive games with a TIM ENRIGHT TD pass (19). Rutherford finished his all-star senior year ranked among the country’s top HEAD FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT MANAGER 10 in three different statistical categories, including points THIS IS PITT responsible PRO FOOTBALL for PITT HISTORY RECORD BOOK Tim Enright is in his 14th year as the head (tied for fourth, 18.0 pts./game), passing efficiency (157.4 rating, eighth) and equipment manager for the Pitt football team. total offense (294.5 avg., 10th). In this capacity he supervises the equipment Following his 2004 graduation from Pitt, Rutherford went on to play two operation for the 100-plus member team, including seasons in the NFL. He spent the ’04 season with the Carolina Panthers before organizing travel and transportation of equipment for joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for their ’05 Super Bowl championship away games and managing the day-to-day equipment campaign. In 2007, Rutherford played for the Hamburg SeaDevils of NFL needs for the players and coaching staff. Europe. Enright has a long association with Pitt football and Rutherford owns his bachelor’s degree in social sciences. A Pittsburgh the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate at native, he graduated in 1999 from Perry Traditional Academy, where he was a Pitt, he was a student football manager (1987-91) and standout performer for the Commodores in football, basketball and track. served as the team’s head manager his senior year. Following graduation in 1991, Enright worked one year at Martin Media Advertising before serving as a youth counselor at the Shuman Detention Center. He returned to his alma mater in 1993 as an assistant equipment manager in charge of the men’s basketball team. Enright was promoted to his current post with the football team in 1997. He has handled the equipment travel for 10 bowl teams in total at Pitt.

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DANNY KOZUSKO ROBYN JURCZAK

EQUIPMENT ASSISTANT OPERATIONS ASSISTANT Danny Kozusko is currently in his seventh season with the Pitt football team. His duties include assisting in the daily equipment operations for the football team and coaching staff. Kozusko served as a student manager from 2004-2007 and is the recipient of the prestigious George I. Carson Graduate Fellowship Award. Kozusko has experience working with the other sports teams in the city, as he worked with the JOYCE SALSBURY Pittsburgh Steelers from 2000-2003, assisting the team throughout training camp in his hometown of Latrobe and at all home games. He also interned with the Pittsburgh Pirates during ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO COACHING STAFF the 2006 season, assisting with ticketing, marketing and customer relations. Kozusko is a 2007 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in administrative and policy studies.

DAVE BUCAR

VIDEO ASSISTANT VICKI KLINE Dave Bucar enters his second season with the Panthers, serving as a video assistant under director ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR COACH Jeff Wallo. WANNSTEDT In this capacity he contributes to the team’s various video needs for practice and game day. Bucar is a 2009 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management. He was a stellar offensive lineman for W&J, making 38 consecutive starts at center, and was named an NCAA Division III All-American in 2008. LYNNIE KOONTZ EUGENE JONES IV RECRUITING ASSISTANT ACADEMIC GRADUATE ASSISTANT Eugene Jones enters his first season as an academic graduate assistant for the Pitt football team. In this capacity, Jones will work closely with Pitt’s academic support services to provide Pitt’s football players with the resources necessary to achieve academic success. Jones spent the past three years of his undergraduate career at Pitt assisting head equipment manager Tim Enright. In this position he helped provide Pitt players WALTER “MOUSE” MCCULLOUGH with various equipment needs and assisted in numerous capacities during daily practices. VOLUNTEER EQUIPMENT ASSISTANT A native of Baltimore, Md., Jones graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in May 2010, earning his degree in psychology/Africana studies. Jones is currently pursuing his master’s in applied developmental psychology from Pitt.

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