Former Pitt star Alex Van Pelt gets chance to call plays in playoffs vs. Steelers

Since he graduated from Pitt almost three decades ago, Alex Van Pelt hasn’t had many opportunities to ply his trade (football) back in the Steel City.

Sunday, under circumstances he couldn’t previously have imagined, the former star college quarterback and longtime NFL assistant coach will finally get a chance to call plays during a playoff game — and he’ll do it in Pittsburgh.

Van Pelt, a native of the Pittsburgh area and a former record-setting Pitt quarterback, will call the plays for the Cleveland Browns during this weekend’s wild-card round game at Heinz Field. Though his title with the team is offensive coordinator, Van Pelt has not handled play-calling duties in his first season with the Browns because head coach Kevin Stefanski does.

But Stefanski has tested positive for coronavirus and won’t be able to coach during Sunday’s 8:15 p.m. game.

“AVP has been a huge part of our offense’s success,” Stefanski told Cleveland reporters during a video conference call Thursday. “I may be the one sending (plays) in (during normal circumstances), but he is a huge part of playcalling. There is a ton of dialogue occurring between me, AVP and the rest of the offensive staff. He knows the things that we believe in. He knows how we play.”

OC Alex Van Pelt meets with the media live: https://t.co/kqNUgvwptr

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 7, 2021

Stefanski said Van Pelt, 50, spends “every waking moment” with Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield. After breaking many of Dan Marino’s passing records at Pitt from 198-92, Van Pelt has spent 10 seasons as an NFL quarterbacks coach for four teams. He’s been in the league as an offensive assistant every year since 2006, three years after an 11-year playing career ended in which he mostly was a backup.

But the only time before this season Van Pelt held the title of offensive coordinator was 2009 with the Buffalo Bills.

“Obviously, I have a good feel for Kevin and how he’s called it throughout the course of the season,” Van Pelt said, “and I want to stay true to his beliefs in offense.”

Per NFL covid protocol, Stefanski is permitted to take part (virtually) in all of the Browns meetings and preparation throughout the week. Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said it wouldn’t be until game day that the loss of a coach or a change in structure would be felt.

For his part, Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler said his preparation won’t differ based on who is calling the opponent’s plays at this point of the season because an entire season’s worth of film won’t be altered too much.

“I’m sure they’re going to have a menu of things they think they can beat us with,” Butler said, “but also, he feels confident in that they’re confident in what they’re doing.”

Van Pelt joked he hopes his decisions don’t compel Stefanski to yell things at the television during Sunday’s game.

“It’s tough when you lose your leader,” Van Pelt told Cleveland reporters. “But at some point, it’s like being a parent and sending your kid to college. Hopefully, you’ve done enough to get him ready for what’s ahead, and I think that’s kind of the mindset.”

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