Paul Chryst Position: Head Coach

Coach Chryst with Bill Hillgrove | Coach Chryst Introductory Press Conference | Photo Gallery

Paul Chryst did not have the luxury of easing into his new job as head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh. And that's exactly how he wanted it.

At his introductory press conference in December 2011, Chryst seemed eager to finish the ceremonial preliminaries, roll up his sleeves and get to work. "That's what I'm excited for," Chryst said. "To be able to start putting the action and the plan together. You don't talk about doing things. You just go do them."

To steal the old Nike advertising slogan, "Just Do It" has been Chryst's driving philosophy during his brief Pitt tenure. He has emphasized a substance-over-style approach that perfectly reflects the values of his new hometown.

His debut season witnessed the establishment of a promising foundation for future success. The 2012 Panthers won four of their final six regular-season games to earn a berth in the BBVA Compass Bowl. Pitt notched two victories over Top 25 opponents -- 35-17 over Virginia Tech and 27-6 over Rutgers -- and nearly claimed a third before falling in three overtimes, 29-26, to eventual BCS title game entrant Notre Dame.

Even after one season, it was easy to detect the Chryst blueprint taking shape. Known for his work with quarterbacks, Chryst's influence helped Tino Sunseri have the best season of his career. The senior passed for 3,288 yards -- the second highest single-season total in school history -- with 21 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Tailback Ray Graham rushed for a career-high 1,042 yards, giving Pitt a 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher in the same season for the first time ever. Moreover, Mike Shanahan (983 receiving yards) and Devin Street (975) nearly gave the Panthers two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season, which also would have been unprecedented at Pitt.

An ever-improving defense yielded just 330.5 yards per game to rank 17th nationally. That unit returns nine starters in 2013 -- including all-league performers Aaron Donald at defensive tackle and Jason Hendricks at safety.

Additionally, Chryst and his staff signed a 27-player recruiting class judged by Scout.com to be among the nation's top 20. It all adds up to an exciting outlook for the Panthers as they begin a new era this fall as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Chryst took over at Pitt following an exceptional eight-year tenure at Wisconsin (2002, 2005-11), where he earned acclaim as one of college football's finest teachers and strategists. The Badgers compiled a 60-19 record (.759) during his six seasons overseeing the offense, which annually ranked among the best in the country.

In 2011, Chryst helped Wisconsin to an 11-3 record and its second consecutive Big Ten title and Rose Bowl berth. The Badgers featured a prolific offense that set no fewer than a dozen school records, including points per game (44.1 avg.), total offense per game (469.9 avg.), total rushing yards (3,298) and total passing yards (3,280).

From 2009-11, Wisconsin achieved the Big Ten's best record (32-8, .800) while averaging 39.2 points per game during that span. Chryst also coached the UW quarterbacks and was twice named a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award, annually presented to college football's top assistant.

In many ways, those powerful Wisconsin offenses were a reflection of the man drawing up and calling the plays. The players were well prepared, fundamentally sound, workmanlike and had fun playing the game.

Adapting schemes to his players has been a hallmark of Chryst's coaching career. In 2011, quarterback Russell Wilson transferred from N.C. State to Wisconsin for his final season of eligibility. Despite not arriving on UW's campus until July, Wilson was seamlessly and effectively adapted into the Badgers' offensive attack. Under Chryst's guidance, Wilson would throw for more than 3,100 yards with 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He led the nation in pass efficiency with a staggering 191.78 rating (topping Baylor Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III's 189.48).

Wilson was named the Big Ten's inaugural winner of the "Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year" award and went on to be an impact rookie starter with the Seattle Seahawks.

In 2010, Wisconsin nearly became the first team in FBS history to have three different players rush for at least 1,000 yards in the same season. The Badgers' devastating running game in 2010 featured James White (1,052 yards), John Clay (1,012) and Montee Ball (996). That team had an incredible 48 rushing touchdowns, tying the Big Ten record.

Ball was a first team All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist in 2011 after leading the nation in total rushing yards (1,923) and scoring (39 touchdowns and 16.71 points/game). Ball's 39 TDs tied the NCAA record set by Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders in 1988.

Despite the gaudy numbers his offenses annually produce, Chryst refuses to prioritize schemes over relationships. "Players don't care how much you know until they see how much you care," he said.

Chryst's approach to coaching undoubtedly was influenced by his family and upbringing. He has been around athletics and coaches his entire life.

His late father George was a longtime successful head coach at UW-Platteville, and a former Wisconsin player and assistant coach. Paul's brother Rick was a baseball player at Notre Dame and later the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference. Another brother, Geep, played football and baseball at Princeton, and is the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers.

Legendary Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, who currently serves as the Badgers' athletic director, has also been an important and influential mentor for Chryst. "Pittsburgh couldn't have hired anyone more prepared for a head coaching job than Paul Chryst," Alvarez said. "He's one of the best coaches I've been around and he'll experience great success in his new job. Pitt gets an innovator, a hard worker and a winner."

"They were all great teachers," Chryst said of his coaching influences. "They had the ability to make corrections both loud and quietly but never in a demeaning or derogatory way." Such has been Chryst's style during a 24-year coaching career that includes 17 seasons on the collegiate level and seven years in the professional ranks.

Maybe the best compliment Chryst has received came from St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler who played under Chryst at Oregon State. Jackson, who has the NFL's longest active streak with eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, was asked about Chryst after the Rams played the Steelers at Heinz Field. "He's a great coach," Jackson said. "If I were a parent, I'd send my kid to play for him."

Chryst was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State during the 2003 and `04 seasons. The 2003 Beavers became the first team in NCAA Division I history to have a 4,000-yard passer, 1,500-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. In addition to Jackson, Chryst's Oregon State pupils included running back Ken Simonton, the school's career rushing leader, and quarterback Derek Anderson, who left as the Pac-10's No. 2 career passing leader.

Chryst initially came to Wisconsin in 2002 after a three-year stint in the NFL as tight ends coach with the San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001.

Previously, Chryst held collegiate assistant coaching positions at Oregon State (1997-98), Illinois State (1995) and UW-Platteville (1993). He was also a graduate assistant at West Virginia (1989-90) under the famed Don Nehlen.

Chryst's other coaching posts in professional football included time with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders (1996) and Ottawa Rough Riders (1994), as well as the World League's San Antonio Riders (1991-92).

Chryst was a three-year football letterman as a quarterback at Wisconsin, where he earned a degree in political science in 1988. He added a master's degree in educational administration from West Virginia in 1990.

He and his wife Robin have two daughters, Katy and JoJo, and a son, Danny.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: November 17, 1965

Hometown: Madison, Wis.

Alma Mater: Wisconsin, 1988

Family: Chryst and his wife Robin have two daughters, Katy and JoJo, and one son, Danny.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

College

West Virginia, 1989-90, graduate assistant.

UW-Platteville, 1993, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

Illinois State, 1995, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

Oregon State, 1997-98, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

Wisconsin, 2002, tight ends.

Oregon State, 2003-04, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

Wisconsin, 2005, co-offensive coordinator & tight ends.

Wisconsin, 2006-11, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh, 2012-present, head coach.

Professional

San Antonio Riders, 1991-92, wide receivers, running backs, tight ends (World League of American Football).

Ottawa Rough Riders, 1994, quarterbacks (Canadian Football League).

Saskatchewan Roughriders, 1996, offensive coordinator & quarterbacks (Canadian Football League).

San Diego Chargers, 1999-2001, tight ends (National Football League).

WISCONSIN FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS ON OFFENSE UNDER CHRYST (2006-11)

• Tackle Joe Thomas# (2006)

• Tight End Travis Beckum (2007)

• Guard Kraig Urbik (2008)

• Tackle Gabe Carimi# (2010)

• Tight End Lance Kendricks* (2010)

• Guard John Moffitt (2010)

• Running Back Montee Ball (2011)

• Center Pete Konz (2011)

• Guard Kevin Zeitler (2011)

* Consensus

# Unanimous

WISCONSIN MAJOR AWARD WINNERS ON OFFENSE UNDER CHRYST (2006-11)

• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation's top senior quarterback)

Quarterback Scott Tolzien (2010)

• Outland Trophy (nation's outstanding college lineman)

Tackle Joe Thomas (2006)

Tackle Gabe Carimi (2010)

WISCONSIN BIG TEN AWARD WINNERS ON OFFENSE UNDER CHRYST (2006-11)

• Big Ten Player of the Year

Running Back John Clay (2009)

• Big Ten Lineman of the Year

Tackle Gabe Carimi (2010)

• Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year

Running Back Montee Ball (2011)

• Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year

Running Back Montee Ball (2011)

• Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year

Quarterback Russell Wilson (2011)