Well, this got interesting. Which I’ll get to in a minute. First, a quick message to Marzett Geter: Shhh.
[Ryan] Lewis, 6-foot, 185 pounds, is the fourth cornerback among 17 seniors who have committed to Pitt. Among them is Sto-Rox’s Marzett Geter, who suggested on Twitter that Pitt is “wasting” scholarships and should offer one to teammate Josh Beverly.
“Another corner commits,” Geter tweeted. “I’m not liking this at all.”
Because in Geter’s mind, there’s only room for one 2-3 star CB, and that would be him.
But let’s get to the bombshell of Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano leaving Rutgers less than a week before signing day for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Obviously Schiano is simply seeking to further emulate the paths taken by his mentors Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis.
The main issue, is the fallout for what was shaping up to be a lock for a top-20 recruiting class. Gee, this seems familiar.
There is no doubt that Pitt has been bombarding numerous Rutgers verbals and leans this morning and afternoon. As has Syracuse, BC, UConn, PSU, WVU, Maryland and anyone else in the area.
Rutgers is going to have to scramble and make hard choices in a hurry. Do they try to keep the class together, by hastily hiring from within like with OC Frank Cignetti?
Can they risk doing a search outside of Piscataway?
CBSSports.com’s Bruce Feldman suggested Miami Dolphins special teams’ coach Darren Rizzi as one possible candidate to step in for the Scarlet Knights. Rizzi served on Schiano’s staff from 2002-2007 before a one-year stint as the Rhode Island head coach, where Rizzi played played tight end from 1988-1991. Delaware head coach KC Keeler has led the Blue Hens to four I-AA/FCS Championship Games and could be ready for his first opportunity at the FBS level if the Scarlet Knights want more head coaching experience.
Other possible replacements could include Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bobby Diaco – New Jersey native – or Miami defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, Rutgers’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator 2001-2003.
One popular name, for any job really, is Florida International head coach Mario Cristobal. Cristobal was a tight ends and offensive line coach under Schiano, and likely will be at the top of Rutgers’ wish list.
Please not Cristobal. I really don’t want to have that storyline running next year.
The thing is, that hiring any of these guys will take at least a couple days. Plus, Rutgers’ Athletic Department really doesn’t have the money to throw around for a hire. Especially since they would have to pay a premium to get someone else to bolt at this late date. Everyone knows they are desperate and can’t afford the time to haggle too hard.
In the abstract, I have some sympathy for Rutgers fans at seeing hopes dashed hard like that. The reality, I want Pitt to attack. There’s a little sense of payback after the number of recruits the Scarlet Knights swooped in to nab after the coaching fire/hire/fire/hire fiasco of last year.
Top targets from the Rutgers class by Pitt should include J.J. Denman (OL), Brandon Arcidiacono (OL), Chris Muller (OL) [yes, there is a trend], Ryan Brodie (OL), Quanzell Lambert (LB) and Leonte Caroo (WR).
The final week before Signing Day just got a whole lot more interesting.
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