Jimmy’s take- Pitt football in trouble, Harris may be, too

Head coach Walt Harris should really consider himself lucky that the team charter flight… Head coach Walt Harris should really consider himself lucky that the team charter flight allowed him to come back to the city of Pittsburgh.

If Furman and Temple did not beat themselves and have a fourth-quarter letdown, Pitt would now be 1-4.

It’s scary to even think that, but thanks to some great quarterback play on the part of Tyler Palko, this team is not in that hole, and, believe it or not, the Panthers are still in the running for the Big East title.

To Harris’ credit, his trick plays won them the game on Saturday, but on the other hand, he should not be relying on trick plays to jump-start an offense that is fully capable of putting points on the board.

He continues to call sweeps, when running back Raymond Kirkley seems to have more success running up the middle.

He leaves Allen Richardson in the punt returning position even though he’s fumbled constantly and made critical mistakes when attempting to return punts.

It’s Harris’ lousy play-calling that has led to the creation of the “quick kick” T-shirts that are being sold before the games, even outside of Lincoln Financial Field.

Even fans from the stands in Philadelphia were shouting down to Harris. The “fire Walt Harris,” chant began early second quarter and continued until the fans had something to cheer about in the fourth quarter.

Humiliation.

That’s the best way to describe what it’s like to hear a crowd chant that at an away game.

These are all examples from this year. There are plenty more questions on his resume, but I don’t have enough inches in this column to criticize them.

Only time will tell. It’s a cliche, but it’s true. Pitt will enter the heart of its Big East schedule this weekend with Boston College coming to town.

And the seat is getting hotter for Harris.

One more Big East loss will undoubtedly bring down the house and offer the question:Who is next in line for Pitt’s head coaching job?

Jimmy Johnson is the assistant sports editor of The Pitt News and can be reached at jimmysjargon@yahoo.com.