Paul Chryst, a former Wisconsin Badgers assistant, was hired Wednesday as head coach, replacing Gary Andersen.
Andersen announced last week that he was leaving Madison after two seasons to take the Oregon State vacancy created when Mike Riley left to take the Nebraska job.
“I’d like to thank Coach Alvarez for this wonderful opportunity,” Chryst said in reference to Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez. “This is obviously a special place not only for me but our whole family. I would also like to thank the players, staff and administration at Pitt for the last three years. I’m proud of what I helped to accomplish there and appreciate the support I’ve received. Pitt will always have a special place in my heart.
“It’s a bit overwhelming to be able to come back to a place where you grew up, went to school and coached, where you have so many ties personally and professionally. This job has everything that we, as a family, and me, personally, are looking for. The bar has been set at a high level here and it didn’t just happen. I look forward to the challenge of continuing that tradition of success.”
Chryst, born in Madison in 1965, won a high school state championship at Platteville in 1983 and lettered three times as a quarterback for the Badgers.
Chryst left Wisconsin’s football program in the 2011 season as its offensive coordinator to take the Pitt job. He has a 19-19 record at Pitt in three year. Chryst interviewed with Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez on Wednesday.
Chryst told the Pitt players after Tuesday’s practice that he was headed for Madison.
Former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano was also known to have discussed the job with Alvarez.
Alvarez, a former Wisconsin coach, will return to the sideline for the Outback Bowl game against Auburn on Jan. 1.
Oregon’s Ekpre-Olomu injures knee
Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu suffered a knee injury during Tuesday’s practice that will keep him out of the College Football Playoff, according to reports.
Ekpre-Olomu, named a first-team All-American this week and a finalist for the Thorpe Award, might have a torn ACL, Comcast SportsNet reported Wednesday.
The second-ranked Ducks (12-1) face third-ranked Florida State (13-0) in a College Football Playoff semifinal in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The winner advances to the championship game on Jan. 12 against Alabama or Ohio State.
The senior has 63 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble for Oregon this season. Ekpre-Olomu is the second-ranked cornerback prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
Oregon has yet to confirm the injury to the three-time All-Pac-12 performer who has started 40 consecutive games. He became a full-time starter during his freshman year in 2011.
The likely replacements for Ekpre-Olomu are senior cornerback Dior Mathis or redshirt freshman Chris Seisay.