Pitt fires AD Steve Pederson just as Paul Chryst is introduced at Wisconsin

Call it perfect timing by Pitt. Just as Paul Chryst was at the podium being introduced as Wisconsin’s new coach, the Pitt administration announced that Athletic Director Steve Pederson is out and has been fired.

Somewhere Dave Wannstedt is smiling right now.

Dr. Randy P. Juhl, Vice Chancellor for Research Conduct and Compliance, will serve as the acting athletic director.

Joe Rudolph who is expected to be a candidate for the head coaching job, has been named interim head coach.

Eric Hagman of 937 The Fan reports Chryst informed Pitt he would consider staying if Pederson was gone, though, there was no chance Chryst was going to pass up his dream job, regardless of what Pitt did once Wisconsin last week established Chryst as their No. 1 target.

However, what that proves is coaches couldn’t stand dealing with Pederson and that goes back to Wannstedt and Todd Graham.

What the Pederson firing will do is have more prominent coaching candidates interested in the job like a Greg Schiano who is said to have had no interest in working with Pederson.