Carl Nassib had two dreams when he arrived at Beaver Stadium as a freshman: First, to be an All-American. Second, to play professional football. At first, neither seemed likely, or even possible. Now, however, he stands tall as one of the best college football players in the nation. Nassib’s stardom was unexpected. The six-foot-seven, 272-pound defensive end was a former walk-on, and had never started a game in high school or college. His first career start came in Penn State’s 2015 opener, ... Read More
A history of Pens coaching changes, part 2
43 years after watching his team make their first mid-season coaching change General Manager Jim Rutherford presides over the most recent move. In the years since salary cap was implemented after the 2004-05 lockout the Pittsburgh Penguins have gone through five different coaches. All but one of the four coaching changes were mid-season replacements in which the AHL coach was promoted to replace his predecessor. The Sidney Crosby Era Ed Olczyk took over as Head Coach during a very dark time ... Read More
Pitt wraps up Gotham Classic with win over Western Carolina
For a change this season the Pitt Panthers had a fight on their hands. While most of their non-conference schedule has resulted in blowout wins, the Panthers needed all 40 minutes to take care of visiting Western Carolina 79-73 in the final game of the Gotham Classic Wednesday night at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt trailed with just over two minutes remaining, but a Chris Jones three-pointer with 2:20 remaining gave the Panthers a 68-66 lead. Sheldon Jeter followed with a monster dunk ... Read More
Antonio Brown named AFC Offensive Player of the Week
Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Antonio Brown's stellar season continues week to week and with each passing week it seems Brown earns another honor. This week it came in the form of being named AFC Offensive Player of the Week. Brown earned that honor after a 16-catch, 189-yard, two-touchdown performance Sunday in a win against the Denver Broncos. Brown also won AFC Offensive Player of the Month in November. In the process of torching Denver cornerback Chris Harris, who came into the ... Read More
A history of Pens coaching changes, part 1
The first mid-season coaching change in Pittsburgh Penguins team history took place under the watchful eye of Jim Rutherford. He was not General Manager at the time, but rather was serving as the starting goaltender during the 1972-73 season. The Early Years Red Kelly was the second Head Coach in franchise history and in his fourth year having led the team to playoff appearances in two of the previous three seasons, but the team was struggling and he was replaced after posting a 17-19-6 ... Read More
Pens trade Scuderi to Blackhawks for Daley
With head coach Mike Sullivan debuting behind the bench for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Washington Capitals tonight, general manager Jim Rutherford completed a trade behind the scenes, sending shutdown specialist Rob Scuderi to the Chicago Blackhawks for puckmoving blueliner Trevor Daley. Sometimes outspoken, Scuderi, a member of the 2009 Stanley Cup team and a winner again in 2012 with the Los Angeles Kings, expressed some dissatisfaction with the state of the team after the ... Read More
Jamel Artis big second half leads Pitt past Morehead State
Jamel Artis scored a game-high 22 points- 17 in the second half- to lead Pitt past visiting Morehead State 72-62 Sunday at the Petersen Events Center. The game was Pitt's second contest as part of the Gotham Classic. The 22 points for Artis was a season high and was his second 20-point game of the season and the ninth of his career Pitt (8-1) leaned on its dynamic duo of Artis and Michael Young in the win. Young finished with 20 points on the afternoon, 16 coming in the first half. The ... Read More
Expect Pens to open their game up under Sullivan
After a 2-2-0 trip to the West Coast and losing in a shootout last night to the Los Angeles Kings, the second loss in five days to the Pacific Division leaders, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford decided to pull the plug on head coach Mike Johnston. The Penguins brought in Johnston at the start of last season to install a defensive mentality to combat bad habits picked up from the Dan Bylsma “run-and-gun” tenure. Johnston delivered on the expectations to some extent – the ... Read More
Pitt loses OC Jim Chaney to Georgia
The Pitt Panthers suffered a coaching loss on Saturday when it was announced that offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has left the program to accept the same position at the University of Georgia. Chaney is the first hire of new Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. He also returns to the SEC where he spent six of the last seven seasons split between Tennessee and Arkansas. He has had a lot of success as an offensive coordinator in the past and was a god hire this season by Pitt head coach Pat ... Read More
Pitt starts fast, blows out Eastern Washington
Three Pitt players scored in double figures as the Pitt Panthers basketball team improved to 7-1 on the season with a convincing 84-51 victory over Eastern Washington in the Panthers first game of the Gotham Classic Friday night at the Petersen Events Center. Michael Young led all scorers with 21 points while Jamel Artis (14) and Chris Jones (11) also finished in double figures for the Panthers. Pitt got off to a quick start and led throughout, leading by as much as 37 at one ... Read More