Pitt senior center Chris Vangas says he doesn't believe he has been overlooked and underappreciated by the coaching staff, but it would be completely understandable if he did given the long, winding road he travelled en route to a starting position.

Vangas, who is a fifth-year senior from Dayton, Ohio, was the obvious choice to inherit the job left vacant by the graduation of Joe Villani heading into the spring. He had paid his dues as the most experienced center, playing in 23 games the past two seasons as a reserve at center and guard.

It seemed like the natural progression, yet the coaches spent most of spring moving other players, including returning starters from other positions, to center in search of more consistency. Vangas successfully beat out all challengers and appeared to have a hold on the starting job.

But over the summer, Mike McGlynn, a three-year starter at right tackle, was moved to center and the coaches all but declared he'd be the starter. McGlynn, however, was coming off shoulder surgery and took longer to heal than anticipated. In the interim, Vangas again proved to be the most consistent player auditioning for the starting job.

This week, Vangas received the news he had waited four years to hear when it was announced he'd be the starter for the opening game against Eastern Michigan. It wasn't a surprise, but it certainly was an announcement that was a long time in coming.

"When I first saw my name on the depth chart as the starter I felt like finally I had arrived," Vangas said. "I'm finally a part of the great tradition of centers and offensive linemen around here. I wear 64 and [former Panther] Chad Reed wore that number and he was a great center, one of the smartest players I ever knew, and I just want to make sure I make that number proud out there."

To his credit, Vangas knows he must play well in order to keep the starting job, particularly since McGlynn has been medically cleared for the season.

"It is pretty exciting, this ride," said Vangas, who, along with Kennard Cox and Jemeel Brady, was named team captain for the first game. "I just can't wait to be out there and be able to compete and to show the coaches what I can do. I heard all the stuff about other guys being looked at but I just focused on competing and doing my job the best I can. ... I don't mind the struggle and just the fight to get to the top of the list, I just think all of it motivated me, made me hungrier and pushed me, that's what my attitude has been -- just work harder."

Vangas's work ethic has endeared him to coaches, but his consistency and perseverance are what helped him win the job. While others, such as redshirt John Bachman, took a shot at the center spot and never caught on, Vangas worked hard on refining the areas he felt were weakest.

Yet even he admits he probably didn't push himself as hard as he needed early in the spring, until it became apparent that he was going to have to fight to be the starter.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said he was initially skeptical about Vangas but has grown to appreciate his talents. He said Vangas's attitude has been refreshing because rather than get down on himself or quit, he just worked harder when he was challenged.

"Chris Vangas is a lot like Joe Villani," Wannstedt said. "He's really worked hard. He's lost more than 20 pounds from January until now, he's gained a lot of strength, and nobody wants to win on this football team more than he does. He is a winner, he has always been a winner and he loves being a Pitt Panther."