Is Vitt more of a father figure/confidant (ie Ast Head Coach/ Chief Motivator) or does his work as a linebacker's coach show up with good linebacker play?
Hard to say. He hasn't really had players given to him to "develop". Marvin Mitchell made good progress and was a capable player for a 7th rounder. Arnoux never saw the field. Wilson made progress while at linebacker.
But mostly we've been plugging in free agent after free agent at linebacker. I don't know if this suggests a lack of confidence in his ability to develop linebackers, the fact that we've just been impatient at the position, or that Vitt has some sort of Gruden-with-quarterbacks impatience with rookie LBs. I thought he did a good job of wringing everything he could from guys like Simoneau, Shanle, and Fujita.
I don't think it'll matter much though. Ryan is going to take an active hand at LB I would assume, particularly the rush LBs.