Paul Chryst Paul Chryst ( born November 17 , 1965 ) is an American football coach and former player . He is currently the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh , a position he assumed in December 2011 . Chryst has previously been the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin from 2005 through 2011 . He also served in the same capacity at Oregon State University and was an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . Chryst played college football at Wisconsin , where he lettered as a quarterback from 1986 to 1988 . Early life . The son of a high school football coach , Chryst was born and raised in Madison , Wisconsin . The family moved to Platteville , Wisconsin , when his father , the late George Chryst , became the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville in 1979 . Chryst attended Platteville High School , where he was a three - time letterman in football and basketball , and also lettered in baseball and track . As the starting quarterback , he led the 1982 and 1983 Hillmen to consecutive Southern Eight Conference titles and the Wisconsin Division 4 state championship in 1983 . Chryst graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1988 with a degree in political science , and was a three - time football letterwinner at the quarterback position for the Badgers . He added a master ’ s degree in educational administration from West Virginia in 1990 . Coaching career . Paul Chryst started his career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia ( 1989 – 90 ) , and was then an assistant coach for the World League ’ s San Antonio Riders ( 1991 – 92 ) , UW – Platteville ( 1993 ) , Ottawa Rough Riders ( 1994 ) , Illinois State ( 1995 ) , Saskatchewan Roughriders ( 1996 ) , and Oregon State ( 1997 – 98 ) . He was the tight end s coach for the NFL ' s San Diego Chargers from 1999 – 2001 , where he was instrumental in the development of Freddie Jones into one of the NFL ’ s top tight end s , as well as coaching Steve Heiden , who eventually started with the Cleveland Browns . Chryst was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon State in 2003 – 04 . The Beavers ranked 10th in total offense ( 463 . 0 ypg ) and No . 6 nationally in passing yardage per game ( 328 . 1 ) in 2003 . The 2003 Beavers became the first team in NCAA Division I history with a 4 , 000 - yard passer , 1 , 500 - yard rusher and two 1 , 000 - yard receivers . Among the Oregon State stars he coached were RB Ken Simonton , the school ’ s career rush ing leader , QB Derek Anderson , who left as the Pac - 10 ’ s No . 2 career passing leader , and RB Steven Jackson , a 2004 first - round draft choice for the St . Louis Rams . After a one - year stint as the Badgers ’ tight ends coach in 2002 , Chryst returned to Wisconsin in 2005 and under his direction , the Wisconsin offense showed immediate and drastic improvement . The 2005 team set school records for both scoring average ( 34 . 3 ppg ) and for points scored in a season ( 446 ) . UW scored at least 40 points six times in 2005 . After ending the 2005 season with a 10 – 3 record , the 2006 offense was again potent under Chryst , and helped the team to a strong 12 – 1 finish . Chryst ' s strong offenses helped guide Wisconsin to back - to - back Rose Bowl appearances in 2010 and 2011 . University of Pittsburgh . Chryst was hired as the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh on December 22 , 2011 . Personal life . Chryst and his wife , Robin , have three children , daughters Katy and JoJo , and son Danny . He is the brother of former Mid - American Conference commissioner Rick Chryst and current San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst .