Ex-Pitt head coach rumored to have interest in SV job
JACKSON TWP — Walt Harris the next head football coach at Seneca Valley?
Greg Caprara, the school's athletic director, would not deny that the former University of Pittsburgh coach has applied for the still-vacant position.
He wouldn't confirm it, either.
"It's the rumor mill,"Caprara said. "There's nothing to comment on."
Undisclosed sources stated that Harris has applied for the position, which opened when Ron Butschle resigned Dec. 22, and recently toured the school's campus.
Harris resides in the Shaler area.
"We have to respect the privacy of all individuals who apply for these openings,"Caprara said. "I couldn't give you anybody's name. We're still working through the process of getting interviews completed."
Harris, 62, hasn't coached since the 2006 season. He was fired that December after leading Stanford to a 1-11 record. He was 6-17 in two years at Stanford.
Harris was Pitt's head coach from 1997 through 2004, guiding the Panthers to six bowl games during that time and compiling a 52-44 record.
He led Pitt to the Big East title in 2004. Pitt's football program had won 15 games in the previous five seasons before Harris took over.
Harris was the New York Jets' quarterback coach from 1992-94 and was 11-24 in three years as head coach at Pacific.
A graduate of El Camino High School in California, Harris coached at his alma mater before entering the college ranks as an assistant. He coached on staffs at Pacific, California, Air Force, Michigan State, Tennessee and Ohio State before coming to Pitt.
Caprara said Seneca Valley received 31 applications for the football position.
"I'm hopeful we'll name a coach at the Feb. 9 board meeting,"he said. "We have a couple of people who applied right at the deadline we still need to interview.
"We're planning on doing second interviews later this week."
Caprara said a number of out-of-town applicants were interviewed over the phone and another eight or nine were interviewed in person.
"Numerous college coaches have applied, including some currently coaching in college," he said. "It's a substantial number. We're pleased with the interest shown in this position."
The Raiders finished 4-5 under Butschle last fall. Butschle compiled a 15-33 record in five seasons at the helm, including a 6-4 mark and WPIALplayoff appearance in 2007.
