Earlier today, after his release from jail, Pittsburgh head coach Michael Haywood said that “eventually the truth will come out.”
While that may ultimately be the case, his employer decided not to risk the chance that the truth involved any type of domestic violence that would further embarrass the institution.
According to a press release attributed to Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, the university announced that Haywood has been dismissed as the Panthers’ head coach. Haywood was informed of the school’s decision this afternoon, and it’s effective immediately.
“To be clear, the University’s decision is not tied to any expectation with respect to the terms on which the legal proceeding now pending in Indiana might ultimately be concluded,” Nordenberg said. “Instead, it reflects a strong belief that moving forward with Mr. Haywood as our head coach is not possible under the existing circumstances.
“This is a matter of real regret for the many people at Pitt who had looked forward to working with him. However, head coaches are among the University’s most visible representatives and are expected to maintain high standards of personal conduct and to avoid situations that might reflect negatively on the University.
“We will immediately re-open our search for a head football coach, expanding the process to include a larger pool of candidates. Our goal is to move swiftly, but prudently, to find the right person to successfully lead the Pitt football program for what we hope will be an extended period of time.”
As to which direction Pitt will now turn for a coach, Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads was mentioned in connection to the job, so he would obviously likely be a candidate again. And what about Rich Rodriguez? He’s certainly not long for Michigan, and how deliciously ironic if he were to come back to the Big East to head the Backyard Brawl rival of the school he ditched so unceremoniously to take the Wolverines job?
Yeah, I know, it has almost no shot of happening. But, you have to admit, it’s absolutely hilarious to think about.