University Times

Ohio State quarterbacks coach Walt Harris was named Pitt's 33rd head football coach last month. Harris, 50, continued his duties at Ohio State through the Buckeyes' Rose Bowl victory on New Year's Day but began assembling his Pitt staff and recruiting last month. His first appointments were assistant coaches Curt Cignetti, Bob Junko, Steve Mooshagian, Vincent White and Brian Williams.

Harris's specialty has been developing top quarterbacks. He was on Ohio State's sideline the past two seasons when the Buckeyes beat Pitt, 54-14 in 1995 and 72-0 last fall. "Panthers fans had a first-hand look at Walt's offensive magic the last couple of years," Pitt Athletic Director Steve Pederson noted.

Harris acknowledged that he is best known as an offensive strategist, but said his chief priority will be improving Pitt's defense, which gave up an average of 455 yards a game in 1996 and a University-record 430 points.

"My basic philosophy on football is, you win championships on defense and you score points and entertain fans on offense," Harris said.

Prior to joining the Ohio State staff in 1995, Harris was the quarterbacks coach for the New York Jets, 1992-94; head coach at the University of the Pacific, 1989-91; and assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Tennessee under outgoing Pitt Head Coach Johnny Majors. Harris also held various coaching jobs at Illinois, Michigan State, Air Force and California.