Dec. 17, 2010

Story courtesy of University of Pittsburgh Athletic Media Relations Office

PITTSBURGH — Cut from the cloth of some of the greatest programs and mentors in college football, Michael Haywood today was named the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh, it was announced by Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson.

Haywood joins the Panthers after orchestrating the biggest turnaround in major college football this past season as head coach at Miami of Ohio. The RedHawks went 9-4 and captured the Mid-American Conference championship — the program’s first MAC title since 2003 when its quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger.

The achievement, in just his second year as a head coach, earned Haywood MAC Coach of the Year honors and praise as one of the college game’s rising stars.

His revitalization of the storied “Cradle of Coaches” at Miami is the latest accomplishment in an impressive career that spans 23 seasons. From LSU’s Death Valley to the plains of Texas and under Notre Dame’s Golden Dome, Haywood’s rise through the coaching ranks has been an impressive one and included some of the game’s greatest influences. He has served under four National Coach of the Year honorees, including Mack Brown, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban and Charlie Weis.

“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. “Michael has tremendous pedigree, having been mentored by some of the very best coaches in the game. His history at outstanding programs with outstanding coaches gave him a rare combination of experiences and background. Most importantly, Michael is a man of character and integrity and will be an inspirational leader for our football program.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Chancellor Nordenberg and Steve Pederson for the opportunity to become the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh,” said Haywood, who becomes the 35th head coach, and first African-American head coach, in Pitt football history. “It is an honor and privilege to join such an accomplished academic institution and historic football program. I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities we will have as we work to achieve our goal of a Big East championship.”

As offensive coordinator and running backs coach at his alma mater Notre Dame (2005-08), Haywood was named the 2005 NCAA Division I-A Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association. The honor recognized both his impressive coaching achievements and outstanding commitment to community service. Haywood took over the majority of the Irish’s play calling in 2008, resulting in an additional 103 yards per game compared to the previous season.

Haywood served two highly successful seasons at Texas (2003-04) as running backs coach and co-special teams coordinator. In 2004 he was promoted to recruiting coordinator. He tutored Longhorns All-America running back and Doak Walker Award winner Cedric Benson, who rushed for 1,834 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2004. Haywood concluded his tenure at Texas by coaching in the thrilling 2005 Rose Bowl as the Longhorns, behind 264 yards rushing, outlasted Michigan, 38-37.

Haywood served as LSU running backs coach from 1995-2002 and also was the Tigers’ special teams coordinator in 1997-98 and 2001-02. During his time in Baton Rouge, he helped produce some of the most productive running backs in LSU history, including All-American Kevin Faulk, who set virtually every school rushing record before going on to win three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

Prior to LSU, Haywood spent two years at Ball State (1993-94), where he coached receivers, running backs and was co-special teams coordinator. He started his coaching career at Minnesota as a graduate assistant in 1988, and then went to Army as an assistant coach from 1989-90. He served as the Cadets’ assistant defensive backs coach and special teams assistant his first year before assisting the defensive ends coach and coordinating the special teams in 1990. Haywood then moved to Ohio University in 1991 where he tutored outside linebackers and assisted with special teams for two seasons.

Haywood is a 1986 graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in government from the College of Arts and Letters. He was a four-year letterman for the Irish (1982, 1984-86), initially playing flanker as a freshman before switching to cornerback. He made 13 career starts and compiled 78 tackles, five interceptions and two blocked kicks.

What They’re Saying About Michael Haywood:

Alabama Coach Nick Saban:

“Mike Haywood is one of the brightest young coaches in college football and he did an outstanding job for us at LSU. He certainly did a fantastic job at Miami in turning that program around. None of this news surprises me because of what he brings to the table in terms of his energy, his enthusiasm, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to recruit. I think he will do a great job at the University of Pittsburgh.”

Texas Coach Mack Brown:

“Mike is a tremendous football coach and a great hire for the University of Pittsburgh. He’s a bright, energetic and enthusiastic guy who helped us have very successful seasons in 2003 and 2004 and did a phenomenal job in turning things around at Miami. Mike is a great coach and person who has proven he really understands how to build a staff and a program. I’m really looking forward to following him at Pitt.”

Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Back and Former LSU Player Ryan Clark:

“The thing that I remember about him was his fire. He’s a guy who is always pumped up, always enthusiastic about football. I think that will be a great spirit that he will bring to Pitt. You look at what he did at Miami of Ohio. He’s a guy who can infuse a program with fire, a guy who can infuse a program with confidence. I think he does that with his intelligence, but also with his ability to communicate.

“I think he commanded respect because he gave it. He treated us like men, and we were young at that time. He allowed us to learn, he allowed us to work, but he also talked to us like men. He was straight up. You never had to wonder about how Coach Haywood felt about something you did. That’s something important at that age – when you’re 19 or 20 years old, you don’t want to be trying to figure out how somebody feels about you.”