by Malik Vincent

After being responsible for the biggest turnaround in major college football at Miami (OH) last season, Michael Haywood garnered the trust of Pitt Athletic Director Steve Pederson and was named their 35th head football coach and the first African-American.

After going 1-11 the previous year, the Miami Redhawks won the Mid-American Conference Championship, for the first time since current Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led them there in 2003.

TAKING OVER—Michael Haywood, right, holds a team jersey with Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson after being introduced as the Panthers new head coach during a news conference, Dec. 16. Haywood’s sister Paula smiles at center.  (Photo by J.L. Martello)

The announcement was made by Pedersen at an introductory press conference at Pitt’s practice facility on the South Side, Dec. 16.

“From my very first meeting with Michael Haywood, it was obvious that the qualities he exhibited were in line with the values of this great University,” Pederson said.

by Malik Vincent

The Westinghouse Girls basketball team has been a perennial threat to win the City League crown for some time now. However, coach Phyllis Jones said her team is “under construction” right now and believes Allderdice is the favorite to win it all this year.

Dragons’ coach, Dave Walchesky, disagrees.

MARRITTA GILCREASE

“(Coach) Jones is tremendous,” Walchesky said. “Westinghouse always brings a seasoned team to the table every year. They should never be counted out of the equation.”

But with Allderdice losing only one starter from last season, Jones’ point could be valid.

Leading up to the Steelers, Jets matchup last weekend there was all sorts of useless verbiage being spewed regarding the Jets and their willingness to come into Heinz Field and mix it up with the cousins of “bad, bad, Leroy Brown” the mighty Steelers. The Jets won the game 22-17 on sheer willpower along with “horrible” special teams coverage combined with questionable offensive play calling by the Black and Gold around the goal line that ultimately ended in a safety for New York.

Is it me or do you smell the aroma of “soul food” coming from the friendly confines of Heinz Field? Are the pierogies and collard greens finally having the desired effect on the Pittsburgh Steelers? The Black and Gold were thoroughly embarrassed at Heinz Field by the New England Patriots. They were partially embarrassed by a B-More Ravens offense that administered a Michael Jackson “Thriller-like” spanking at the house of “moo-stard” when the left side of the Steelers secondary played like a wax encrusted round of finely aged Swiss cheese. At that point the “home cuisine” did not seem to be quite spicy enough. There is one thing that is very noticeable about the Steelers defense. When they decide to sit back and play “prevent” defense, the only thing they stop is themselves from winning the football game.