Harris fires agent LaMonte

Former Pitt football coach Walt Harris fired his agent, Bob LaMonte.

This is significant because LaMonte contributed to Harris demise at Pitt. In October, LaMonte sent a number of verbal salvos toward the Pitt administration, saying it was delusional in believing Pitt could restore its glory of the late 1970s and 1980s. He also challenged the administration to either fire Harris or give him an extension.

Athletic director Jeff Long made it no secret that LaMonte's words were counterproductive.

Many believe LaMonte's comments proved to be the death knell for Harris, who was not given the contract extension he had sought.

Harris accepted the head coaching position at Stanford on Sunday after it became clear that Pitt would not extend his contract past 2006. He met with his team Sunday afternoon and told his players that he wanted to stay at Pitt, but the lack of an extension forced his hand.

Harris never offered a retraction for anything LaMonte said. If he had, it might have helped his cause in seeking the extension and remaining at Pitt. And, even though other factors might have worked against Harris, it is believed that LaMonte's words were the final straw.

Lamonte is based in Nevada and represents a number of head coaches and assistants. Two of his top clients are NFL head coaches Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren.