The Panther-Lair Podcast

What will it take for Pitt to finish with a better record than 7-5? What song should play at the start of the fourth quarter? Which players will make the biggest jump? And how will the new seating plan work for big games? Answers to those questions and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

Now that Pitt defensive coordinator Cory Sanders has been on the job for a month - after spending the last eight years coaching the Panthers safeties - let's about his priorities. What are the most important things he needs to do as defensive coordinator? We're got some thoughts after speaking with Sanders on Wednesday.

Thanks to graduation, the NFL and the transfer portal, Pitt lost some key contributors from the 2025 roster this season. We've talked about a number of these departures individually, but let's rank them: where did the Panthers lose the most this offseason? We're ranking the top five position groups that were hit the hardest on today's Morning Pitt.

As Pitt gets ready for a tough matchup at Virginia, we are asking a few questions on today's Morning Pitt: How did the Panthers end up like this? Why are they so inconsistent and why do they struggle so much on offense? Answers - or attempts to answer - those questions and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

It's not easy doing a daily podcast about Pitt basketball these days after the Panthers fell to 9-13 overall and 2-7 in the ACC with Saturday's 11-point loss at Clemson. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about some of Pitt's biggest issues - and why it's so hard to talk about a team that loses like these Panthers do.

How has Allen Greene done in 15 months as Pitt's Athletic Director? Which first and second-year receivers could break out? Who will be the most impactful transfer? How would we fix NIL? Answers to those questions and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

There was some big news on Wednesday, as Pitt announced a new ticket strategy that eliminates two giant sections from the available inventory. What does that mean for the crowd this season? Why is Pitt doing it? And will it improve the atmosphere at Acrisure Stadium? We've got thoughts on that and more on today's Morning Pitt.

Pitt broke a three-game losing streak when it beat Wake Forest in overtime at the Petersen Events Center on Tuesday night. It was just one game, but what can we take from it? Were there encouraging signs? Are there things to look forward to with these Panthers? We're talking about the game, the players and more on today's Morning Pitt.

Pitt's 2026 football schedule has been released, and we've got a lot to discuss after the Panthers got three weeknight games, a slate that is front-loaded with home games and potentially a very interesting finale. All that and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

Jeff Capel had some pointed comments about the Pitt fanbase in the wake of the Panthers' 81-72 loss to N.C. State at the Petersen Events Center on Saturday. Was the Pitt head coach right? On today's Morning Pitt, we're looking at his comments, what he meant, why he said it and more.

We've got some great questions in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag, ranging from assessments of the Pitt's haul in the transfer portal to the reasons that players transfer. Plus this: What are the best wins and the worst losses of the Jeff Capel era?

If Pitt is going to improve in 2026, that improvement won't just come from the transfer portal. The Panthers are going to have to get better by having their returning players improve as well. On today's Morning Pitt, we're looking at some of the players whose improvement will be most important to the team's success.

Pitt's transfer portal class is apparently finished, as the Panthers announced 16 scholarship additions on Tuesday. How did Pitt do in the portal? Let's go player-by-player and position-by-position and take a closer look at who the Panthers landed and how they fit.

Can Pitt build a playoff-caliber team in the current world of college football? We think it can be done - as long as the coaches follow a specific plan and execute it. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about what it would take.

On Saturday night, Pitt lost to Louisville by 41 points - the Panthers' biggest margin of defeat since Jeff Capel became head coach in 2018. How is that kind of thing happening in Capel's eighth year running the program? We're trying to answer that question and more on today's Morning Pitt.

What does the future hold for Jeff Capel at Pitt? How has the football team done in the portal so far? Did the Panthers retain enough players this offseason? Answers to those questions and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

Pitt's situation at wide receiver for the 2026 season is still a question mark after the Panthers lost a ton of production at the position to graduation and the transfer portal. On today's Morning Pitt, we're looking at what Pitt added at receiver, whether it's enough and how the Panthers can get the production they need in the passing game.

The Pitt basketball team will look to get its first ACC win tonight at Georgia Tech. What has been plaguing the Panthers so far this season? Why have they been struggling? And where do they need to improve? We're breaking it all down on today's Morning Pitt.

Pitt has gotten 14 commitments from the transfer portal so far, but the coaching staff is still working to bring in more. What do the Panthers need from the portal to finish the 2026 roster? We're looking at the biggest needs and more on the Morning Pitt.

This past weekend was another successful one for Pitt, as the Panthers landed more than a half-dozen commitments from the transfer portal to help reinforce the 2026 roster. On the Monday edition of the Morning Pitt, we're looking at who committed to Pitt, how they'll fit with the roster and a lot more.

There's no surprise here: this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag is all about the transfer portal. From enrollment dates to resource problems and more, we've got a lot of questions about the transfer portal in today's Mailbag.

Another day, another Morning Pitt full of transfer portal topics. Kenny Johnson has a new home. Pitt has a new receiver. The Panthers lost a kicker. And two more players announced their returns to Pitt for the 2026 season. All that and more on the Thursday edition of the Morning Pitt.

Pitt lost a top defensive lineman on Tuesday, as sophomore tackle Francis Brewu entered the transfer portal. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about the impact of Brewu's departure. Plus: two more Pitt players announced they'll be returning to the Panthers. All that and more on the Morning Pitt.

Two Pitt players left the transfer portal on Monday - one going to a school in the SEC and one going back to the Panthers. What happened there? Plus, three more coaches have been added to Pitt's staff. Who was hired and how do they fit? All that and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

Sunday brought some news for Pitt, as the Panthers landed their first transfer portal addition. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about what Netinho Olivieri brings to Pitt's offensive line and what's next for the Panthers. Plus: Pitt reportedly hired a special teams coordinator, and we've got thoughts on that, too.

The transfer portal for college football opens today, and Pitt had two more returning starters and one potential starter announce their intentions to transfer this week. On the first Morning Pitt of 2026, we're looking at the Panthers who left, where that leaves Pitt's depth, what the team needs and a lot more.

As 2025 comes to an end, we're looking back on the year that ends today. What were the biggest stories in Pitt sports over the last year? From Zack Austin's heartbreaking foul in the ACC Tournament to Mason Heintschel's debut, there was a lot that happened, and on today's Morning Pitt, we're breaking down the biggest Pitt sports stories of the year.

Pitt won't have its top receiver next season, as Kenny Johnson is going into the transfer portal. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about Johnson's decision, how it impact the Panthers' offense and a lot more. Plus: Pitt opens ACC play in basketball tonight at Miami, and we're looking at where the Panthers stand heading into that one.

It's the final Monday of 2025, and we've got another bowl loss to talk about after Pitt lost to East Carolina in the Military Bowl on Saturday. What happened in that game? And more importantly, why does it keep happening? All that and more on the Monday edition of the Morning Pitt.

The Military Bowl is right around the corner, but we've got one last Morning Pitt Mailbag of 2025. What are our way-too-early predictions for 2026? Who is playing in the bowl game and who isn't? Can the ACC scheduling problem be solved? Answers to those questions and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

For Christmas Day, we've got a special guest on the Morning Pitt: Peters Township standout and incoming Pitt freshman defensive end Reston Lehman. We're talking to Reston about his career at Peters, an epic WPIAL championship game, why he picked Pitt and a lot more.

On the Christmas Eve episode of the Morning Pitt, we've got a special guest: incoming Pitt freshman defensive tackle Lincoln Hoke. Check out our conversation with Lincoln about his high school career, his expectations at Pitt and a lot more.

Pitt basketball is about to enter ACC play next week on a two-game winning streak after blowing out Binghamton and Penn State. What can the Panthers build on from those two games? And what is truly sustainable as they head into the meat of the schedule? All that and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

We're talking personnel moves on today's Morning Pitt after Pitt saw two top players leave for the NFL Draft and more Panthers go into the transfer portal. Who is gone from the roster and what does it mean for the bowl game and beyond? All that and more on the Monday edition of the Morning Pitt.

In this week's Mailbag, we've got some great questions about Pitt's portal numbers, the hype around Mason Heintschel, Notre Dame's future and more. Plus, a few thoughts on the Pitt volleyball team's loss in the Final Four.

Today's a big day for Pitt volleyball, as the Panthers will take on Texas A&M in the Final Four tonight. On today's Morning Pitt, we're getting ready for that match, talking about some notable football stats and more.

There was some news on Tuesday, as the ACC announced its new scheduling format for the 2026 football season. What does that mean for Pitt? Who did the Panthers add for next season? And what the heck was the ACC thinking? Plus: the first transfers from Pitt have been announced. Who did the Panthers lose? All that and more on the Morning Pitt.

We've got a special guest on today's Morning Pitt: Incoming freshman quarterback Angelo Renda. How does he reflect on his prolific high school career? What happened in the state semifinal game? What led him to Pitt? And what is he expecting when he officially becomes a Panther? All that and more on today's Morning Pitt.

There was some good and some bad in Pitt athletics this weekend, with the good being really, really good and the bad coming in the form of another disappointment. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about Pitt volleyball getting to the Final Four, Pitt basketball lacking an identity and a lot more.

How can Pitt's offense get more consistency? What scenarios exist for Pitt basketball? And which Pitt fan myth should die? Answers to those questions and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

Now that the regular season is over, let's talk about Pitt's transfers. How did the 16 players who joined the Panthers this offseason do in the fall? On today's Morning Pitt, we're ranking them from 16th to first and everything in between.

On today's Morning Pitt, we've got a few more thoughts on Pitt's date with East Carolina in the Military Bowl. What's at stake for the Panthers when they go to Annapolis? What can they accomplish? And is the era of bowls coming to an end? All that and more on the Morning Pitt.

We've got some news to cover on today's Morning Pitt. Special teams coordinator and tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski is moving on to Auburn; what does that mean for Pitt's staff? And why are the Panthers going to Annapolis to face East Carolina in the Military Bowl? All that and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

The Pitt basketball took another mid-major loss on Sunday night when Hofstra beat the Panthers 80-73. On today's Morning Pitt, we're talking about the loss, what we went wrong, where Pitt goes from here and more.

In this week's Mailbag, we've got questions about which Pitt freshmen will make an impact, how the Panthers' offensive line grades, where NIL money should be spent and a lot more. Check out today's Morning Pitt for answers to those questions and more.

Now that Signing Day is over, we're taking a look back at some of the biggest storylines for Pitt. From a Signing Day flip to a late loss on a local and more, we're covering it all on the Thursday edition of the Morning Pitt.

Today is National Letter of Intent Signing Day, and on the Morning Pitt, we're getting you ready with everything you need to know: Who is Pitt signing? Who are the standouts in the class? Who is under the radar? And are the coaches really signing two quarterbacks? All that and more on the Signing Day edition of the Morning Pitt.

We've got a few more thoughts about Pitt's 2025 football season on today's Morning Pitt. Who was the Panthers' player of the year on offense and defense? Who were the biggest breakout stars? And what was the play of the year? All that and more on the Tuesday edition of the Morning Pitt.

The regular season is over after Pitt lost to No. 12 Miami 38-7 at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, and we've got a lot to talk about on the Monday edition of the Morning Pitt. What happened on Saturday? How do we view Pitt's season? And were there two versions of the Panthers this season? All that and more on the Morning Pitt.

In this week's Mailbag, we're taking questions about Pitt's seniors, how we would spend $10 million and some of the Panthers' most impressive streaks. All that and more in this week's Morning Pitt Mailbag.

It's Thanksgiving, and with Senior Day coming up on Saturday, we're thinking about Pitt's seniors - the players who have been here for five, six or even seven years and those who arrived more recently. From their contributions to their legacies, let's talk about the Panthers' senior class on today's Morning Pitt.