Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt met with the media yesterday for the final time this year to discuss the recently finished season as well as look ahead to next season. Wannstedt also discussed the state of the program in general as well as his priorities headed into the offseason.

One thing that is clear is the Panthers' season-ending upset win against West Virginia has greatly improved Wannstedt's outlook and he believes will be a springboard to bigger things in recruiting and on-field success. It wasn't just the win against West Virginia that has him so excited about the future, it was his belief that the program has made great strides on the field and off since the start of the season.

"Even before the West Virginia game, I sensed throughout the year the excitement about our program from those around our program," said Wannstedt, who recently received a contract extension, which he said is going to help in recruiting. "And I sensed that it became even more positive as the year went on. Obviously [in] the West Virginia game it came together. And it was two-fold -- recruits know we are coming together. It is no accident that we beat a team like West Virginia, we are getting better. And it was a confidence boost for us as well. People know that West Virginia won the Big East and we beat them."

Wannstedt said he is going to hit the recruiting trail hard in the next two weeks, then he will sit down and evaluate the changes he needs to make in the offseason. He left the door open for the possibility of making some staff changes, but it is clear he is not going to make wholesale changes or tear the staff apart

"I have a good staff, but I am always looking for ways we can improve, and when I catch my breath in a few weeks I'll sit down and take a look and see if there are some areas we can improve," he said.

And even more abundantly clear is that offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh -- who has been the subject of criticism for his conservative play calling -- is safe and will return next season. The Panthers offense struggled, but Wannstedt blamed most of that on uncertainty and inexperience at quarterback. He was quick to point out that in 2006, when Cavanaugh had Tyler Palko to run the offense, the Panthers averaged 32 points per game, led the Big East in pass efficiency rating and were second in passing offense.

That said, Wannstedt believes the best solution to the offensive woes is to get better play -- or players -- at quarterback, which is why the position is one of his top recruiting priorities. Wannstedt is actively recruiting a number of quarterbacks, including one from the junior-college ranks, and he'd like to be in a position where there is excellent competition as well as quality depth at the position heading into next season.

One of Wannstedt's other top priorities is landing a junior college center. This weekend the Panthers will welcome Robb Houser, from Butte Junior College in California, for an official visit. Houser would have a shot to start right away because the Panthers center, Chris Vangas, graduated.

"Once recruiting period is done here in a few weeks, my two top priorities will be getting a depth chart together for the spring and getting our offseason workouts and conditioning going with Buddy Morris," Wannstedt said. "And when we set our personnel board, the area I will have to spend the most time with is the offensive line. It will be easy defensively, guys will move around a little, but where we need to get it laid out right, depth-chart-wise, is the offensive line."

Among other subjects Wannstedt discussed:

• Poor officiating in the Big East: Wannstedt said he has voiced his concerns about the way the West Virginia game-- and others this season -- were officiated to the Big East offices, and he believes there will be some changes made to the Big East officiating lineup in the near future. He declined to comment specifically about the questionable holding calls in the West Virginia game, though.

• Starting quarterback: "I'd like to have at least four on scholarship and [have] the best man win the job. If it is Pat [Bostick], it is Pat If it is Billy [Stull], it is Billy. But it will be an open competition," Wannstedt said.

• Sophomore linebacker Dorin Dickerson: He will sit down with Dickerson next week to discuss his future position, but he would like to keep him at linebacker if possible. "He got better at linebacker and if you think about it, he got thrown in the fire and has been put in some unfair situations," Wannstedt said. "Dorin and I will sit down and try to find the best place where he can help the team and be successful. He is a great kid with a great attitude."

• Suspended sophomore Elijah Fields: "He is obviously week to week, but I am very encouraged by Elijah. He is obviously on a short leash, but he has done well in workouts, he is doing what he needs to be doing, he is doing good in school and he just needs to keep it up," Wannstedt said.

• Injuries: Among the players who had season-ending injuries, Wannstedt expects receiver Derek Kinder (knee), defensive tackle Gus Mustakas (knee), quarterback Bill Stull (thumb) and defensive end Doug Fulmer (knee) to be ready to compete in the spring. Tackle Jason Pinkston (shoulder) will be limited in the spring and tight end Nate Byham (knee) will likely will be in rehabilitation.

• Offensive line: If the Panthers can't solve some of their problems on the offensive line -- along with center they need to find at least one tackle -- Wannstedt said he isn't opposed to the idea of moving defensive linemen. And the same goes for tight end, where the Panthers could have a shortage. Wannstedt wouldn't identify players who could be on the move, but one clear candidate would be defensive tackle John Malecki, who was a dominant offensive lineman in high school and plays a position where the Panthers have plenty of depth.

• Transferring or leaving early: "Right now, the only one leaving is [redshirt junior] Marcel Pestano, who is going to graduate," Wannstedt said. "There could be some more names."

NOTE -- Junior linebacker Scott McKillop, the nation's leading tackler with 12.58 per game, has been named a first team All-American by Scout.com.