Pitt assistant head coach Bob Junko, who had heart surgery in February, has taken a leave of absence from his on-field coaching responsibilities. Coach Dave Wannstedt said Junko is said to be in good health, but he has not fully recovered and was not ready to handle the day-to-day stress.

He will remain on the staff in some administrative capacity, but his decision to step away opened a spot on Wannstedt's coaching staff.

Wannstedt announced yesterday that he has filled that spot by hiring former Maryland offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe, who will be an offensive assistant. He arrived yesterday and spent most of the day learning the offense.

"A lot of the concepts here are similar to what I'm accustomed to, but it is a different language, and that's the biggest thing," Taaffe said. "The terminology is different, so I feel like a freshman football player trying to learn the offense and trying to keep up with the installation.

"Basically I'll just be a help where needed and another set of eyes to help the offensive coaches as I learn the offense."

Taaffe, who resigned from his post at Maryland after last season, said he was getting prepared to help coach his son's high school team in the Baltimore area when he got the call from Wannstedt. He said he and Wannstedt have coached at clinics and camps together and that he also has worked with Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh at camps and clinics.

Before the Maryland job, Taaffe was head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League and head coach at The Citadel from 1987-96.

Wannstedt said he is excited to add a coach with Taaffe's experience to his staff, but his main concern is Junko's health.

Loheyde out

Freshman linebacker Dan Loheyde is out, perhaps for the season, because of a torn ligament in his knee. Loheyde, from Gateway High School, was injured in special teams drills Tuesday. An MRI yesterday revealed the tear. He will have surgery next week, but Wannstedt isn't certain if that means Loheyde will have to take a redshirt.

"It really is a shame, particularly when we didn't even have pads on yet," Wannstedt said. "We will have to wait until after the surgery to see exactly the extent of it and then we will sit down with Dan and his parents and come up with what is the best decision and what is best for Dan."

Palko, Phillips impressive

With so many new players receiving so much attention, it would be easy for coaches to take some older players' talents for granted. That wasn't the case yesterday, however, as Wannstedt had high praise for two veterans -- quarterback Tyler Palko and free safety Mike Phillips.

Palko has been sharp the first two days, but yesterday he put on a show in some of the passing drills. Phillips, whose season was cut short with a broken ankle against Nebraska last fall, looks like he is ready to have an excellent season.

"If we were going to give a game ball for a summer camp practice, Phillips had a phenomenal day," Wannstedt said. "He caused two fumbles, he came close to two interceptions, so I think today was a big confidence boost for him coming off that injury. I thought Palko threw the ball today as good as I've seen. He was very accurate; he made good decisions, so that was good to see."

Wannstedt also praised the work of freshman corner Aaron Berry, who picked off two passes in 7-on-7 drills, and freshman tight end Nate Byham.

Quick hits

The Panthers had no major injuries yesterday. Receiver Brandon Ballard injured his thigh and sat out of some drills and receiver Lowell Robinson struggled with leg cramps. ... Freshmen Jason Pinkston and Aaron Smith joined the team yesterday for the first time. The two were held out of the first day of practice because of NCAA clearinghouse (eligibility) issues. "To get those two back, that was good for them because they've been anxious to get involved and now we can start evaluating them," Wannstedt said. ... Today will be the first day of hitting as the players will be able to wear upper-body pads for the first time.