PITT FOOTBALL: Paul Chryst ability to adapt to his personnel will be a complete “360” from Graham

PITT introduced Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst as the school’s new head coach this afternoon at a 3:00 p.m. press conference today.

Chryst handled himself extremely well in his inductory press conference and fans will love this quote from Chryst, a complete “360” from Todd Graham. “It’s really shallow if you announce what you’re going to do, ” Chryst said….. There were no high octane references this time around.

Chryst met with the PITT football team at 10:15 a.m and he’s made a strong impression with the team and majority of incoming recruits who for now are sticking together.

“I stand here and it’s an exciting day, ” Chryst said. “It’s a humbling day.” Chryst is a coach who Pitt officials are comfortable with in that he wants to be here for the long-term, compared to Florida International’s Mario Cristobal who’s biggest downfall with the committee is that they weren’t sold on him being a long-term coach. “This is a destination job for me, ” Chryst said.

The biggest complement Chryst’s way is that he’s a players coach and that he adapts extremely well to his personnel.

“No matter who we have had, our offense has found a way to play to players strength’s and not fit into a certain mold.

The 46-year-old Chryst is coming off an exceptional eight-year tenure at Wisconsin (2002, 2005-11) where he gained acclaim as one of college football’s finest offensive teachers and strategists. The Badgers have compiled a 60-18 record (.769) during his six seasons overseeing the offense, which annually ranks among the nation’s most prolific and efficient units.

In 2011, Chryst helped Wisconsin to an 11-2 record and its second consecutive Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. The Badgers are averaging 44.6 points and 466.9 yards per game entering their Pasadena showdown with Oregon on January 2.

Over the past three seasons (2009-11), Wisconsin boasts the Big Ten’s best record (32-7, .821) while being fueled by an offense that has averaged 39.3 points per game during that span. Chryst, who also coaches quarterbacks, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, annually presented to college football’s top assistant, each of the past two seasons.

His 23-year coaching career includes 16 seasons on the collegiate level and seven years in the professional ranks.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Coach Chryst and his family to Pittsburgh,” Steve Pederson said. “His remarkable success at Wisconsin is well documented in the form of Big Ten championships and All-America performances. But beyond his achievements on the football field, we believed it was important to find a leader who gets the very best from his players while also developing the kind of culture that fits the University of Pittsburgh. Paul Chryst is that leader and we are anxious for our players and fans to get to know him in the coming days and years.”

Chryst will still coach Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl something Chryst and Pederson felt was very important for him to do.