PITTSBURGH - I don't know Tom Bradley, so I can't say with any authority that he should be Pitt's next football coach.
But Bradley's profile is perfect for what Pitt needs at this critical point.
They need someone who can in step in and offer instant stability. The program is currently reeling and needs help.
After the tumult of Dave Wannstedt's forced resignation and the disastrous hiring of Mike Haywood, Pitt needs a steady hand at the controls.
The university needs someone who has contacts and credibility with the high school coaches in this area.
It needs someone who can salvage this year's recruiting. Otherwise, a whole year may be lost, and that's a steep price to pay.
Bradley has been Penn State's go-to guy in recruiting, so he's in solid with the high school coaches.
There isn't a coach who wouldn't tell his player that Pitt is in good hands with Bradley.
If the "he's a Penn State guy" is a factor, it shouldn't be. The feeling lingers that's a bigger issue for boosters than it is for administrators, who understand the business of college football.
Pitt desperately needs to get this situation settled, and quickly. Each day that passes without a resolution is costly to the school and to the program.
When he searched for Wannstedt's successor, athletic director Steve Pederson wanted someone with head coaching experience.
That restriction led him to Haywood.
It's time to drop the artificial barriers and get someone in place who can clean up this mess.
Maybe that's Tom Bradley.
It's hard to imagine there's a candidate whose resume that fits Pitt's current situation better.
Sour farewell
Dave Wannstedt threw himself a pity party, and invited everyone to watch.
It's understandable that Wannstedt is upset about being forced out. It's also understandable that he doesn't want to coach the Panthers in this weekend's bowl game.
But don't call a news conference to announce your loyalty to the university and to the players, then abandon both.
Pitt needs help and the team needs help. Wannstedt walked away from the situation, leaving them to fend for themselves.
Wannstedt is not inclined to do Pederson any favors, which is easy to appreciate.
But if he truly cared about Pitt and the players - as he said he does - he'd put aside the hard feelings and do what's right for Pitt and the players.
Wannstedt's actions are in complete conflict with his words.
Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com
