Eddie Schultz concentrated on his law practice and Alex Fox went into business full-time with the Lehigh Portland Cement Co.[15][16] In February, the athletic department agreed that the university would be a non-participating member of the Western Conference (Big Ten) and be under the jurisdiction of their Commissioner, Major John L. Griffith.

[19] By early March, Jock Sutherland and Chancellor Bowman could not come to an agreement about de-emphasizing the schedule to balance the loss of talent brought about by the stringent athletic code.

"[21] On March 20, the Board of Trustees approved the selection of Charles Bowser as the head coach of the Pitt varsity football team.

"With a squad that has been wrecked by graduation, perforated by the Code Bowman, and demoralized by continual football squabbling, Bowser faces a terrific schedule.

He hired six former Panthers as assistants – Mike Nicksik (backfield), Dr. Arnold Greene (fullback), Bob Hoel (tackle), Albin Lezouski (guard), Nick Kliskey (center) and Bill Daddio (end).

On Tuesday September 26 at 5:00 pm, Charley Bowser's Panthers boarded two 21-passenger airplanes for the 2,300 mile trip west to Seattle, WA.

[29] Due to bad weather, the Panther entourage had to take the southern route home over Los Angeles, CA, Albuquerque, NM and Kansas City, MO.

[39] Chester L. Smith of The Pittsburgh Press interviewed Coach Glenn: "The Doctor said he could be quoted as promising his lads would be in there pitching for the full 60 minutes, but he added an amendment which may be more significant than it sounds at first.

After a scoreless first period, the Pitt offense drove 56 yards in 5 plays, and Dick Cassiano thrilled the crowd with a 38-yard run through left tackle for the first score of the game.

Substitutes appearing in the game for Pitt were Stanley Gervelis, Jack Goodridge, John Gregg, Ralph Hafer, William Benghouser, Joe Cambal, Arthur Corace, George Mitchell, Ralph Fife, Stephen Sinco, Harris Hawkins, Thomas Murphy, George Kracum, Edgar Jones, Robert Thurbon, Frank Goodell and Joseph Connell.

"[50] Pitt tackle Ted Konetsky and fullback Ernest Bonelli were injured in the West Virginia game and replaced in the starting lineup by John Benz and Frank Goodell.

Nine plays later, a 28-yard pass from Narick to Cassiano tied the score, and Ben Kish's extra point put the Panthers ahead.

The athletic department felt that the Panthers needed to schedule teams from the Western Conference (Big Ten), so the intra-city series against the Dukes was scratched.

[58] Coach Bowser had fullback Ernest Bonelli back in the starting lineup, but John Benz again replaced Ted Konetsky at tackle.

[59] On October 28, for the fourth time in the five-year series, the Panthers traveled to New York's Polo Grounds to meet the Fordham Rams.

Injuries to key players and talent which hasn't quite lived up to advance notice leaves us only one recourse – to depend on sophomore inspiration.

We're going to be ready for the game and we will have to be, for Charley Bowser's squad no doubt will be rebounding after the luckless defeats at the hands of Duquesne and Fordham in its last two starts.

During the Fordham game, center Richard Fullerton sustained a concussion and was lost for the season, and tackle Ted Konetsky aggravated his leg injury.

Early in the second half Emil Narick fumbled and Temple back Andy Tomasic recovered on the Pitt 18-yard line.

On second down Tartan fullback Jerry White raced 66 yards to the Panther 30-yard line, where he was tackled by Dick Cassiano.

Coach Kern offered: "If you ask me, I would say that Pitt richly deserved her fine victory over our team, and that game, by the way, was one of the fiercest I have seen in the Stadium in years.

Tackle Ted Konetsky, end John Dickinson, quarterback Ben Kish, halfback Dick Cassiano and fullback Ernest Bonelli did not start the Nebraska game.

Walter E. Dobbins of the Evening State Journal noted: "In view of the fact that Pitt has dropped games to both Fordham and Duquesne, Nebraska's chances against the Panthers are considerably brighter than in the past...Fortunately the Huskers came thru the Jayhawk tussle without serious injury and barring accidents during the week should be able to face Charley Bowser's clan with its full strength.

"[86] 18 years of frustration came to an end when a fumbled center snap on an extra point attempt by Pitt allowed the Nebraska Cornhuskers to eke out their second victory over the Panthers 14–13.

Early in the second period, Nebraska gained possession on the Pitt 32-yard line and Henry Rohn scored five plays later on a 1-yard run.

In the final period, Pitt recovered Henry Rohn's fumble on the Panther 41-yard line and sustained an 8-play scoring drive, culminating with a Krakum 1-yard touchdown plunge.

[92] Coach Bowser returned halfback Dick Cassiano to the Panther starting lineup, while quarterback Ben Kish, fullback Ernie Bonelli and tackle Ted Konetsky were still injured, but available for game action.

In the opening quarter, Penn State scored 3 plays after Leon Gajecki recovered a Dick Cassiano fumble on the Pitt 22-yard line.

"[97] Twenty-six players received varsity letters for the 1939 season: John Benz, Ernest Bonelli, Richard Cassiano, Joe Connell, Art Corace, John Dickinson, Ralph Fife, Richard Fullerton, Stan Gervelis, Frank Goodell, Jack Goodridge, Rudy Gradisek, Ralph Hafer, Harris Hawkins, Edgar Jones, Ben Kish, Harold Klein, Ted Konetsky, George Kracum, Frank Kristufek, Emil Narick, Joseph Rettinger, Mike Sekela, Steve Sinco, Robert Thurbon and Robert Frost, manager.

[98] Quarterback Ben Kish and halfback Dick Cassiano were selected by coaches Andy Kerr and Bernie Bierman to play in the annual east–west all-star game at San Francisco's Kezar Stadium on New Year's Day.