Pitt: Top 5 Candidates Fans Should want as Offensive Coordinator

Nov 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers helmet during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Let me get into why this could be the most tangible hire for the athletic search committee at Pitt; fluctuation in the Memphis program.

Justin Fuente left the Tigers after one of the best seasons in school history, leaving for Blacksburg, Virginia and the Virginia Tech Hokies. The void has left co-offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey to be the interim head coach for Memphis’ bowl game against Auburn.

Dickey has spent the last four seasons at Memphis, this most recent season a member of the offensive staff under Fuente. Dickey has plenty of experience in the offensive coordinator role, 22 seasons in all. Not a single one of those seasons were at a Power-5 program. That could change.

He has done well in the offensive coordinator capacity. Leading the surprising Tigers offense to 3,891 yards passing and 2,234 yards rushing. Phenomenal balance and the sort of balance that Pat Narduzzi may be looking for in his search.

This is his second stint with Memphis and even though he is serving as interim head coach against Auburn, I don’t see that as threatening in terms of becoming a full-time status with the Tigers. Although deserving, moving on may be the best option for Dickey in 2016.

Why it works out for Pitt: Darrell Dickey could come to the Panthers with a less harsh demand for money than others. USA Today tabs him with a $249,378 salary, very doable if you’re athletic director Scott Barnes. Not too much of a change has to happen as far as personnel. Pitt has a lot of the same type of players on offense as Darrell has at Memphis.

Why it will fizzle out: The opportunity to become the head coach at Memphis may be too much to pass off at this point in his career. Never before a head coach, the ability to form a team in his own way in a place he is all ready comfortable could loom large.

Next: Bill Legg