Charlie Taaffe, Maryland's former offensive coordinator, has been hired as an offensive assistant at the University of Pittsburgh on an interim basis, a school spokesman confirmed today.
Taaffe was hired to help the Panthers in the absence of assistant head coach Bob Junko, who had heart surgery in February and has taken a leave of absence from his on-field responsibilities.
"We were fortunate to be able to gain the services of a highly knowledgeable coach in Charlie Taaffe," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt stated in a news release.
Taaffe was Maryland's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001-2005. He left Maryland unexpectedly in February, at the time saying he wanted to "explore other coaching opportunities."
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the news.
Note -- Offensive tackle Scott Burley returned to practice yesterday after sitting out Tuesday with a sprained ankle.
