Pitt Welcomes New Coach

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pitt officially introduced its newest head football coach, Michael Haywood, at a news conference this afternoon.

Haywood has been coaching at Miami University of Ohio and he was on Pitt's short list to replace Dave Wannstedt from the beginning.

Known as a disciplinarian, Haywood led the Redhawks to a record of 9-4 this year.

"You have to be dangerous and relentless for 60 minutes," said Haywood. "When you fall down and get knocked down on the canvas, how fast do you get back up? You have to be a physical, dominate football team for 60 minutes and the scoreboard doesn't matter, you might as well just drape it because it never matters."

The 46-year-old has experience at some big-time football schools. Prior to becoming head coach at Miami of Ohio, Haywood was offensive coordinator at Notre Dame (2005-08).

He is a 1986 graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in government. He was a four-year letterman for the Irish in 1982 and from 1984 to 1986.

Haywood served two seasons at Texas (2003-04) as running backs coach and co-special teams coordinator. He also served as LSU's running backs coach from 1995 to 2002 and also was the Tigers' special teams coordinator in 1997 through 1998 and 2001 to 2002.

Panthers athletic director Steve Pederson says Haywood was one of five people that the university considered for the job; but he was the only candidate that Pitt officials brought to the campus.

"I think a guy who just won a MAC championship in his second year and was coach of the year seems to me like a pretty big time coach," said Pederson.

Haywood signed a five-year deal.