It appears that, after a couple of false alarms and copious amounts of misinformation, Pittsburgh is on the verge of finding a replacement for Dave Wannstedt. Again.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday afternoon that Pitt and Tulsa head coach Todd Graham are close to a deal that would make the 46-year-old the Panthers’ next coach. It was reported over the weekend that talks between the two sides were heating up, so this development would not actually qualify as a surprise.
KTUL in Tulsa takes it a step further, writing that Graham is expected to take the job and a team meeting to inform the players has been scheduled for this afternoon.
The Post-Gazette reports that the sticking point in the negotiations has been money. Graham reportedly is seeking in the neighborhood of $2 million annually, while Pitt appears to be balking somewhat at that number.
The television station brought up an interesting quote from Graham, who stated last week that there was no truth connecting him to the rumors connecting him to various jobs across the country.
""I’ve got three kids who attend the University of Tulsa. I’ve pretty-much bought in and sold out,” he said. “You know, my wife informed me that if I go anywhere I’ll be going by myself. So, that’s a little hard for me right now being 46. I don’t really want to do that.”
And that, my friends, is why you never, ever believe a word that comes out of a coach’s mouth this time of year.