Wannstedt Responds To His Critics

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Former Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt joined Larry & John on the KDKA-AM morning show to respond to his critics.

Wannstedt held a press conference on Tuesday to announce that he will not be coaching in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 8. Wannstedt said, when he met with the players after the firing of Mike Haywood, the players wanted him to coach in the bowl game.

Wannstedt's response to his critics:

Anybody that is going to criticize anything from that angle, they are the individuals that have lived their entire lives in the stands, criticizing, second guessing, Monday morning quarterback. They've never been in the real arena of what it takes to put it on the line, get your mouth bloodied in defeat, know what that great feeling of victory and championship, that's what were talking about here. You've got to be here, you've got to feel that, you've got to taste that to really understand when decisions like this are made.

Wannstedt has talked with Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg since his firing and the firing of Haywood.

However, there has been no discussion about reinstating him as the head coach or about becoming the next athletic director at Pitt.

Wannstedt told Larry & John he will be preparing the team for the bowl game and then take a break to let this situation settle down. After the break, he will come back to see what plans Pitt has for him and he might listen to some open NFL positions.