Pittsburgh Panthers head football coach Pat Narduzzi is entering his 10th year at the helm, and he believes there’s still room for growth. At ACC Media Days, Narduzzi talked about the program’s future and his legacy.
Pat Narduzzi Believes Pitt Is Fully Capable of a Bounce Back in 2024
Heading into the 2023 season, Narduzzi finally started seeing the results he discussed when he was hired in 2014.
The 2021 season was a breakout for Narduzzi and the Pitt football program. The Panthers achieved 11 wins and secured their first outright conference title with a 45-21 victory over Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game. They finished the season ranked No. 13 in the nation, their best finish since 1982.
“In the last 13 years, there’s only been three teams that could put a championship ring on their finger: Clemson, Florida State, and Pitt. We’ll make sure nobody forgets that,” Narduzzi said.
They followed up that 2021 success by going 9-4 in 2022, capped by a thrilling 37-35 victory over nationally ranked UCLA in the Sun Bowl, ending the season ranked No. 22. This marked the first back-to-back Top 25 finishes for the Panthers since finishing the season nationally ranked from 1979-83.
But that’s when things started to take a turn for Narduzzi.
The 2023 season was a massive regression for Pitt’s football program, marred by a struggling offense, embarrassing blowouts, and some public head-butting between Narduzzi and his players.
The Panthers finished 2023 at 3-9, marking their worst record since 1998 when they went 2-9. This was also only the second time Pitt missed a bowl game under Narduzzi.
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Narduzzi used his time at ACC Media Days to share his confidence in the Panthers’ ability to turn the 2024 campaign into a bounce-back season, continue the long trek in a return to glory for Pitt football, and build on his legacy in his 10th season.
“I think you build your legacy year-by-year,” Narduzzi said. “We’re focused on getting back to where we need to be.”
Narduzzi addressed the room full of media at ACC Media Days in Charlotte and spoke confidently regarding the state of Pitt’s football program, not hesitating to remind everyone that the Panthers aren’t far removed from an ACC championship, represented by the large ring he sported on his right hand at the podium.
Was 2023 Just a Bad Outlier for Pitt?
Narduzzi certainly hasn’t lost sight of just how disappointing 2023 was. That is evident in the many offseason changes made to the Panthers’ coaching staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
In the ACC, Pitt ranked dead last in total yards and points per game in 2023.
Following the three-win season, Narduzzi fired offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., offensive line coach Dave Borbely, tight ends coach Tim Salem, and running backs and special teams coach Andre Powell in a major overhaul of the offensive coaching staff.
Additionally, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Tiquan Underwood departed for the NFL and joined the New England Patriots as an assistant wide receivers coach.
Narduzzi appointed Kade Bell from Western Carolina of the FCS as the new offensive coordinator. Bell brought Jeremy Darveau for the offensive line and JJ Laster for wide receivers. Jacob Bronowski, formerly of Miami (Ohio), was hired to oversee tight ends and special teams, while Lindsey Lamar from Howard took over as running backs coach.
Narduzzi commented on what he’s seen with the new offense led by Bell.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Narduzzi said. “I want to turn our offense loose. … I don’t ever micromanage.”
As Narduzzi addressed the room at ACC Media Days, his theme became clearer. He fully understands that 2023 was a disappointment, but he also believes it’s an outlier when compared to his entire body of work at Pitt.
When you look at what Narduzzi has done at Pitt, he certainly has a point. He’s amassed a 65-50 record during his tenure with the Panthers. His 65 wins place him second in program history, only behind Jock Sutherland’s 111 victories from 1924-38.
From 2015 to 2023, Narduzzi led Pitt to 43 ACC victories, the second-highest in the conference during that period, trailing only Clemson’s 64. Narduzzi has coached nine first-team All-Americans at Pitt, with defensive tackle Calijah Kancey earning unanimous All-American status in 2022, the first since Aaron Donald in 2013.
Kancey was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking the second consecutive year Pitt produced a first-round pick. In 2022, quarterback Kenny Pickett was chosen in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming the first Pitt QB to be selected in the opening round since Dan Marino in 1983.
Pitt has been a fertile ground for NFL talent under Narduzzi. From 2021-24, the Panthers had 17 players selected in the NFL Draft, the second most in the ACC, trailing only Clemson’s 19.
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As disappointing as 2023 was for the Panthers’ program, it’s hard to deny that Narduzzi has righted the ship since taking over and had them charging in the right direction before last season.
And judging by his message at ACC Media Days, Narduzzi believes that Pitt will be back at the top of the ACC standings in no time.
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