The idea of using thrust to modify rate of descent was told to me 40 years ago by a former US Air Force pilot who argued that more thrust equals faster air flow over the wing, equals more lift.
The idea thrust=rate of descent, pitch=speed was how I was taught in my PPL many many years ago. However, at least for for airline flying, it is taught the other way round as described above. Does anyone know if any PPL schools still teach the old way?