Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson announced Monday night that Todd Graham was officially… Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson announced Monday night that Todd Graham was officially named the Panthers next head football coach.

The former Tulsa head coach compiled a 36-17 overall record with the Golden Hurricane and finished this season with a 62-25 win over No. 24 Hawai’i in the Sheraton Bowl.

“We are thrilled that Todd Graham has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh,” Pederson said in a news release. “His innovative, creative and energized approach to football makes him an exciting leader for our program.”

The 46-year old Graham’s Tulsa teams have led the nation in total offense twice (2007 and 2008) while ranking fifth this season.

Before coming to Tulsa, Graham was the head coach at Rice University for one season in 2006 where he was named Conference USA’s Coach of the Year, leading the Owls to their first bowl appearance in 45 years.

“My family and I are honored to join such a prestigious university and rich football tradition like the University of Pittsburgh,” Graham said in the news release. “Pittsburgh is a tremendous football city with great fans. We will work diligently every day to earn their respect and build a program that competes for and wins championships.”