SB Nation Pittsburgh - New Pitt Football Coach Mike Haywood Firedhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-01-01T23:10:43-05:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16708602011-01-01T23:10:43-05:002011-01-01T23:10:43-05:00Mike Haywood Fired: Steve Pederson's Job Apparently Safe
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<p>Well now that Mike Haywood has been fired as Pitt football coach, what next? What about the man that hired him, Athletic Director Steve Pederson?</p>
<p>Associate Athletic Director and Media Relations representative <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11001/1114965-142.stm" target="new">E.J. Borghetti issued a statement</a> that appears to indicate Pederson’s job at Pitt is safe:</p>
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<p>Pitt spokesman E.J. Borghetti later released another statement, this one affirming the university’s support for Athletic Director Steve Pederson, who hired Mr. Haywood:</p>
<p>“Mr. Pederson has played a key role in elevating Pitt’s athletics programs, remains an important member of the University’s senior leadership team and continues to enjoy the full support of the Chancellor.”</p>
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<p>Many Pitt fans will not be happy to hear that, but Chancellor Mark Nordenberg may be thinking that trying to replace a coach <em>and</em> an athletic director at the same time might be a daunting task. So even though fans may disagree with him, that may be the line of thinking.</p>
<p>So where now? Well, Nordenberg also <a href="http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010111aaa.html" target="new">said in his earlier statement</a> that Pitt will conduct a more thorough search. That’s good news and it appears the school will be looking at more candidates this time around.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1908313/mike-haywood-fired-steve-pedersons-pitt-football-mark-nordenbergAnson Whaley2011-01-01T18:40:01-05:002011-01-01T18:40:01-05:00Mike Haywood Fired: Pitt Chancellor Makes Statement
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<p>Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg made an official statement and it’s now posted on the Pitt website:</p>
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<p>“After careful consideration of recent events, the University of Pittsburgh has dismissed Michael Haywood as its head football coach, effective immediately. He was advised of that action this afternoon.<br>
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“To be clear, the University’s decision is not tied to any expectation with respect to the terms on which the legal proceeding now pending in Indiana might ultimately be concluded. Instead, it reflects a strong belief that moving forward with Mr. Haywood as our head coach is not possible under the existing circumstances.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010111aaa.html" target="new"><br>
Here’s the link to the full article.</a></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1907943/mike-haywood-fired-pitt-football-chancellor-mark-nordenberg-statementAnson Whaley2011-01-01T18:05:21-05:002011-01-01T18:05:21-05:00Mike Haywood Fired
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<p>Well, more on this a bit, obviously, but Brett McMurphy of FanHouse reports via Twitter that <a href="http://twitter.com/BrettmcmurphY" target="new">Pitt football head coach Mike Haywood has been fired.</a></p>
<p>Wow. Just, wow.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1907892/mike-haywood-firedAnson Whaley2011-01-01T16:56:55-05:002011-01-01T16:56:55-05:00Mike Haywood Arrested: Released From Jail And Comments On Incident
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<p>No sooner than the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Mike Haywood was released, <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_716289.html?_s_icmp=NetworkHeadlines" target="new">they conducted a phone interview with him</a> and have, perhaps, his first published comments since the incident:</p>
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<p>University of Pittsburgh football coach Mike Haywood posted bond this afternoon and has been released from an Indiana jail.</p>
<p>“It isn’t fair,” Haywood told the Tribune-Review in a telephone interview. “The truth will eventually come out.”</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.cardiachill.com/" target="new">As I mentioned yesterday (and reiterated today) over at Pitt blog Cardiac Hill,</a> even if it comes out that truth eventually does come out and the media has the story all wrong, this still looks back and is a black eye to Pitt and to Haywood.</p>
<p>Athletic Director Steve Pederson touted Haywood as a disciplinarian and as someone with strong character. So for something like this to occur shortly after his hiring is a huge disappointment. Pitt is now stuck in an incredibly unfortunate position. Recruiting for 2011 had already taken a big hit and it could get even worse. And on top of everything, the school <em>still</em> doesn’t know who will coach the bowl game.</p>
<p>Stay tuned.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1907800/mike-haywood-arrested-released-from-jail-and-comments-on-incidentAnson Whaley2011-01-01T15:59:54-05:002011-01-01T15:59:54-05:00Mike Haywood Arrested: Haywood Released From Jail
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<p>Pitt football coach Mike Haywood has been released from jail, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_716289.html">as reported by the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review:</a></p>
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<p>University of Pittsburgh football coach Mike Haywood posted bond this afternoon and has been released from an Indiana jail.</p>
<p>Haywood was released about 3 p.m. after a bond hearing, posting 10 percent of a $10,000 bond, according to officials with the St. Joseph County Jail in South Bend, Ind.</p>
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<p>Earlier reports indicated that Haywood could be in jail until Monday afternoon due to the holiday.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1907735/mike-haywood-arrested-domestic-violence-jail-pitt-football-coachAnson Whaley2011-01-01T12:10:39-05:002011-01-01T12:10:39-05:00Mike Haywood Arrested: Pitt Releases Statement On Football Coach
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<p>It’s the day after the incident and while new details are hard to come by because of the holiday weekend, the <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5976125">University released a statement</a> … though it doesn’t say much:</p>
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<p>“The University of Pittsburgh is aware of an alleged incident involving head football coach Michael Haywood today in South Bend, Indiana,” the school said in an e-mailed statement. “The University expects the highest standards of conduct from its employees, including its coaches, and any breach of those standards is a very serious matter. The University will decline further comment until more complete information is available.”</p>
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<p>Somewhat ironically, Haywood’s former school, Miami-Ohio, <a target="new" href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11001/1114889-142.stm">named its new head coach yesterday</a>. Their university also had no comment on the situation.</p>
<p>This is the first communication issued by Pitt and, <a target="new" href="http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/pitt-redshirt-diaries/24091-back-from-layoff-some-bowl-notes-and-staff-notes">as Paul Zeise of the Post-Gazette reported recently</a>, the university has been extremely tight-lipped, taking away media access to the team until after the new year. Now that we’re in 2011, we’ll see how much access is granted.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2011/1/1/1907415/mike-haywood-arrested-pitt-football-statement-panthersAnson Whaley2010-12-31T21:00:36-05:002010-12-31T21:00:36-05:00Mike Haywood Arrested: More Details Released
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<p><a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/10365/1114730-142.stm" target="new">More details have been released </a>in the Mike Haywood incident from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The paper sheds some light on why the physical altercation apparently took place:</p>
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<p>Mr. Haywood was charged with domestic battery and lodged in the St. Joseph County, Ind. jail after the incident, which began unfolding about 2:30 p.m. central time at his home on Hawthorne Meadow Drive in South Bend. Officers were called there for a “domestic violence situation” in which the woman said Mr. Haywood had choked and assaulted her, Assistant police chief William Redman said.</p>
<p>When officers had separated her from Mr. Haywood, she told them she was “trying to leave the house with the child and he didn’t want her to leave,” Mr. Redman said. “Thats when the verbal turned physical.”</p>
<p>He wouldn’t disclose the woman’s name but described her as a “girlfriend.” He wasn’t sure if she had been living in the home with Mr. Haywood.</p>
<p>“What their relationship is is kind of unclear right now,” he said.</p>
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<p>Haywood is being held at the jail because state law prohibits him from being released until his arraignment. His arraignment is scheduled for Monday at 1:30 p.m. after the New Year.</p>
<p>Pitt has also declined comment until more details are known.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-panthers/2010/12/31/1906933/mike-haywood-arrested-pitt-football-head-coach-dave-wannstedtAnson Whaley2010-12-31T19:38:10-05:002010-12-31T19:38:10-05:00New Pitt Football Coach Mike Haywood Reportedly Arrested
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<p>Just as the holiday season is winding down, Pitt could have yet more trouble on its hands.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/Former_ND_offensive_coord_new_Pitt_coach_Haywood_arrested_112730024.html">NBC Affiliate WNDU is reporting</a> that former Notre Dame offensive coordinator and new Pitt football coach, Mike Haywood, has been arrested for domestic violence. There aren't many details yet and it's really too early to speculate, but what's been released doesn't sound like great news:</p>
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<p>St. Joseph County Police say Haywood was arrested around 4 p.m. Friday at a home in the 50000 block of Hawthorne Meadow Drive.</p>
<p>He has a child with the woman living there.</p>
<p>Police say there was a custody issue and the woman attempted to leave.</p>
<p>As she left, police say a physical altercation broke out.</p>
<p>The woman told police Haywood grabbed her by the arm and neck and pushed her.</p>
<p>According to the police report, the woman had red marks on her neck, arms and back.</p>
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<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/10365/1114730-142.stm">Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has confirmed the story</a> with the St. Joseph County Jail, where Haywood is reportedly being held. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2010-12-31/new-pitt-coach-mike-haywood-arrested-for-domestic-violence">The Sporting News</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="http://college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/26754366">CBSSports.com</a> have also reported on the story.</p>
<p>We all can run down the laundry list of problems Pitt has had this season, but those incidents dealt with <i>players.</i> This one, if true, involves a coach. The head coach.</p>
<p>Check back to this StoryStream and to the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cardiachill.com/">SB Nation Pitt blog Cardiac Hill</a> for more information.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2010/12/31/2327269/new-pitt-football-coach-mike-haywood-reportedly-arrestedAnson Whaley