Pitt Announces AD Fired as Coach Leaves for Wisconsin

Well, if Pitt was looking to troll Wisconsin for hiring its now former head coach Paul Chryst they may have succeeded.

As the Badgers were announcing the return of native son Chryst, the Panthers announced his boss, now former AD Steve Pederson was fired.

The report--originally reported by Brett McMurphy of ESPN, doesn't give a reason for Pederson's departure and several other reports state he'd been interviewing potential coaching candidates as recently as Tuesday night.

Several rumors have circulated that former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano had interest in the coaching job and several others have said he's the leading candidate. Pederson's departure may accelerate the move.

Pitt has already named an interim replacement for Pederson. Dr. Randy Juhl, Vice President of Compliance will oversee the athletic department until a replacement is named.

As for the football team, offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph will handle the team through the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2nd.