Pitt may face offensive overhaul

Dave Wannstedt prepared for the possibility of LeSean McCoy leaving early for the NFL by luring three tailbacks. The Pitt coach also conformed to the changing culture of college football by adding another dual-threat quarterback.

After following his most successful season with his lowest-rated recruiting class, Wannstedt could face another adjustment if offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh leaves for the NFL.

Neither Wannstedt nor the New York Jets would confirm or deny a report Wednesday that Cavanaugh is leaving the Panthers to become the Jets' quarterback coach.

Cavanaugh was offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2004, where he worked with new Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Cavanaugh did not return phone calls seeking comment and did not attend Pitt's Signing Day event last night at Heinz Field.

"Everybody knows that Matt's a heck of a football coach," Wannstedt said. "It wouldn't be surprising to me (if he left). When guys are good coaches, people will take note of that."

Wannstedt was adamant during a 28-minute news conference that the Panthers were not making major changes to their West Coast offense, despite signing Kolby Gray, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback who passed for 1,492 yards and rushed for 1,006 as a senior at Houston's Cypress Falls High.

"We're not changing anything on offense," Wannstedt said. "We're not going to go to the option. We're going to run the pro-style offense that we've always run."

Wannstedt admitted that Pitt's philosophy toward the QB position has evolved to where the Panthers covet players who can produce positive yards, run or pass. With that in mind, Wannstedt said Pitt sent letters to gauge the interest of the nation's top 100 quarterbacks. Gray was one of a handful who responded.

"When things break down, having a quarterback that can make a few plays on his feet is good," Wannsted said. "Finding that guy that can do both is really the challenge."

Finding a replacement for McCoy, who declared for the NFL Draft after his sophomore season, was more pressing. The Panthers added Jason Douglas of Weston, Fla., Ray Graham of Elizabeth, N.J., and Dion Lewis of Blairstown, N.J., who enrolled in January.

Of Pitt's 20 signees, half are from Pennsylvania and nine are first-team all-state selections, including Thomas Jefferson tight end Brock DeCicco and Central Dauphin defensive end Jack Lippert. The Panthers addressed a primary concern by signing three linebackers: Carl Fleming of Reisterstown, Md., Shane Gordon of Weston, Fla., and Dan Mason of Penn Hills.

Pitt also signed seven linemen (four on offense, three on defense) and three receivers : former Brashear star Ed Tinker, Todd Thomas of Beaver Falls and Devin Street of Bethlehem Liberty.

The only player who verbally committed to Pitt but didn't sign a binding letter of intent yesterday was Allderdice defensive end Will Clarke. Allderdice coach Don Schmidt said Clarke is considering Pitt but visited Akron and is contemplating a trip to West Virginia.

"I've spent more time in one-on-one meetings with him the past few weeks than I did in four years as his coach," Schmidt said. "It's in the hands of his family right now."