PITTSBURGH — Near the end of his introductory press conference on Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena, Dan Muse was asked to describe what he thought might've been a separator during the interview process.

It wasn't anything overly complex, the new Penguins coach insisted. It was almost more about what Muse lacked (give-a-darn) than what he potentially added.

"I went in with the mindset of, 'I'm gonna be myself,'" Muse said. "If they like me, they like me. If they don't, they don't."

Penguins fans should like Muse due to his diverse background and how much he loves the work, the not-so-glamorous part of coaching that has surely burnished his reputation as a strong player development type, and as someone who might thrive coaching a younger team.

The only frustrating part is that I wish this had happened sooner, though I do understand why it didn't. The Penguins wanted to be fair to Mike Sullivan, Sidney Crosby and others. Those guys deserved the grace the organization extended.

At the same time, yeah, a pivot to this style of coach has been necessary, and I was extremely impressed Wednesday by not only how Muse carried himself — friendly and direct — but the types of things that he emphasized.

The need to build relationships.

His unique path from NCAA Division III and street hockey in California and Alabama, to a bunch of different stops along the way.

How he wouldn't change that for anything and how he's used his journey for perspective.

More than anything, though, I loved hearing Muse talk about the process over making some sort of bold promise or proclamation. Sometimes it's OK to not know, to not have some sort of definitive answer.

Good on Muse for being comfortable saying that.

"You have guys in different places in their careers," Muse said to my question about balancing fans wanting the Penguins to win now versus necessary time for development to occur. "My job will be to help maximize each person and help each person work toward what their highest level can be right now. That's gonna be my focus. That's going to be a day-to-day approach. It has to be. For us to put a timeframe on it, it wouldn't be right.

"It's gonna be about coming in, putting in the work, having a plan for each individual, having a plan to work for the group, attacking it starting Day 1 of training camp, then building it. That's all you can do right now. That's what I believe in."

There are obviously several branches to that tree.

On Wednesday, Muse discussed everything from the collaboration he expects here (a lot), to the foundational principles he wants for the team, to how he wants his defensemen to handle jumping up into the play.

There's nothing wrong with any of it.

But it's all incumbent on having a sound process, on creating a culture where there's continuous, open dialogue and that the Penguins collectively find a way for EVERYONE to get better.

It's why I want Muse to stick to exactly what he did in that interview with Dubas by being himself. That'll play here.

"Talking to players, people and staff members Dan has worked with, just the way that he conducts himself, his work ethic, his intelligence, everything about him ... as we got through it and further into the process, it became clear that he was going to be a great fit to help us," Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said.

There's also no guarantee this will work.

The Penguins have a lot they need to fix, starting with trades involving Tristan Jarry and Erik Karlsson. Ryan Graves should be bought out. Their overall defense requires an overhaul. Dubas also must increase his team's bottom-six forward depth.

But none of that changes Muse's ultimate directive: to blend the ingredients he does have as seamlessly as possible. To do that, Muse should lean on past experience, because he's seen damn near everything in hockey.

After coaching in various capacities — the Ivy League, the USHL, the United States National Team Development Program and the NHL as an assistant — Muse must start stirring, sprinkling in bits of experience and hopefully produce a product fans want to consume.

"You learn from those around you," Muse said. "But you also learn from little things that you've done, mistakes that you've made, things you wish you could have a chance to do over. I think we're all doing that."

Muse came off as extremely believable during his 35-minute session. His wife and four kids watched from a couple rows back. Afterward, Muse insisted on meeting all of us who are around the team a bunch.

You can sense he's genuinely appreciative of this opportunity, but he's also not treating it like he's holding the winning Powerball ticket. There's a job to do, a sizable and serious one.

Muse also might be coming to Pittsburgh at the exact right time, as the Penguins are finally discontinuing the nostalgia tour and combating reality where they need to get younger — and good — as quickly as possible.

It's a unique and tough ask of Muse. However, he also has a unique background.

How many former NCAA Division III athletes do you see make it to the NHL? As a former bad Division III athlete myself — that's how Muse described his abilities, and mine matched his on the baseball diamond — I do want to say something about that level of sports.

Those who play for Stonehill or Westminster do it because they love it. Not for scholarships or NIL money, popularity or historic venues. We're sort of sick in the head and just like the work. We also aren't afraid to put in the time and generally refuse to stop until the goal has been accomplished.

It's why I don't need Muse to retell the story of his interview, reference some line he threw Dubas, or to pump his own tires in a public setting. I couldn't care less about flash. I want to know that Muse enjoys the work.

That came across loud and clear on Wednesday.

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