Slowly, methodically since being hired by Pittsburgh as its new head coach, Paul Chryst has reportedly been close to adding or had already added a handful of assistants from Bret Bielema‘s coaching staff.
Saturday, the pilfering became official.
In a release, Pitt announced that Chryst, UW’s former offensive coordinator, has added six assistants to his Panthers coaching staff, including three 2011 members of Bielema’s Badgers staff: Bob Bostad (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Dave Huxtable (defensive coordinator) and Joe Rudolph (assistant head coach/quarterbacks).
The other three additions were Chris Haering (linebackers), Jim Hueber (tight ends) and Todd Rice (strength and conditioning). Hueber also has a UW connection; from 1992-2005, he was a member of Barry Alvarez’s coaching staff.
“We are assembling a great group of coaches who are tremendously excited about joining the University of Pittsburgh and our football program,” Chryst said in a statement. “Not only are they excellent coaches but also great people. They are very enthusiastic about what we can accomplish at Pitt. I know they will be great assets for our players, program and university.”
Chryst still has three positions left to fill.
On the flip side, Bielema has five holes in his coaching staff: Chryst and the three new Pitt assistants, plus wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander, who left for a position with Todd Graham at Arizona State. Oddly enough, the Sun Devils’ new head coach is the man Chryst replaced at Pitt.