University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Narduzzi Announces Final Staff Appointments
2/24/2018 8:15:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi announced three appointments today to complete his 2018 staff. They include:
"In only a year's time, Charlie Partridge has made a tremendous impact on our program. Charlie is universally respected for the type of leader, coach and person he is. His promotion to assistant head coach is well deserved as he has been so invaluable in so many different areas. We are incredibly fortunate to have him, along with his wife Julie and two wonderful daughters, as part of our Pitt family."
"I've known Paris Johnson for a very long time, dating back to the 1990s when he was an outstanding safety at Miami of Ohio. He then worked for us as a graduate assistant at Michigan State. His experiences as a player and assistant coach will be great strengths for not only our recruiting office but also our entire program."
Entering his second season on Narduzzi's Pitt staff, Partridge owns outstanding experience as an FBS head coach, accomplished assistant and renowned recruiter. In addition to his new responsibilities as assistant head coach, Partridge's positional focus will remain on the Panthers' emerging defensive front, which returns all four starters and 10 total lettermen for the 2018 season.
This is Partridge's second tour at Pitt. He originally served under head coaches Walt Harris and Dave Wannstedt as an assistant from 2003-07.
The defensive backs coach at Western Michigan in 2017, Sanders oversaw the development of two All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) cornerbacks, Darius Phillips and Sam Beal. Phillips, who had two defensive returns for touchdowns last season (67-yard fumble and 43-yard interception) played in the prestigious Senior Bowl and is considered a strong NFL Draft prospect.
"I am really energized and honored to accept this opportunity to join Coach Narduzzi's staff at Pitt," Sanders said. "The University of Pittsburgh has such great football history and also ranks among the very best academically as well. Coach Narduzzi is building something special at Pitt and I can't wait to hit the field this spring and start coaching. It will be an honor to walk into schools on recruiting visits wearing that Pitt logo. I'm excited to work hard and help keep the program's momentum rolling."
Prior to WMU, Sanders was part of building an NCAA Division II program at the University of West Florida, which played its inaugural season in 2016. He was named the program's first defensive coordinator in December 2014 and was instrumental in building a foundation for the Argonauts' opening campaign 18 months later.
UWF went 5-6 in 2016, the most victories for a first-year Division II program in a decade. Sanders' aggressive defense ranked 11th nationally in quarterback sacks (3.6 sacks/game) and 26th in tackles for loss (8.2 TFLs/game) that season, while Argonauts safety Trent Archie was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Prior to West Florida, Sanders spent five seasons (2010-14) on the football staff at Division II Saint Joseph's (Ind.) College, his alma mater. The team's defensive coordinator his initial year, Sanders was promoted to head coach for the 2011 season and rebuilt the Pumas into a contender in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
The team achieved runner-up finishes in the GLVC in each of his final two seasons, while featuring a nationally ranked defense. The Pumas also set a school record for single-season total offense (4,594 yards) during his tenure and produced 36 All-GLVC performers.
Sanders initial coaching appointments came at North Central College (2007) and Elmhurst College (2008-09). He coached the defensive backs at both Illinois institutions.
Sanders himself was an outstanding collegiate defensive back. He was a four-time all-conference honoree at Saint Joseph's and was elected a Pumas team captain three times. Sanders was an instrumental performer for two conference championship teams and finished his career fifth in school history with 30.5 TFLs.
Sanders is a 2007 graduate of Saint Joseph's with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Johnson was a standout defensive back at Miami (Ohio) University, where he earned first team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors at strong safety. As a senior in 1998, he helped the RedHawks to a 10-1 record and share of the MAC East Division title.
Johnson began his collegiate career at North Iowa Community College, serving as a team captain and earning all-region accolades before matriculating to Miami.
In the 1999 NFL Draft, he was a fifth-round selection of the Arizona Cardinals. In addition to Arizona, Johnson also had stints with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys.
Johnson returned to college football in 2012, when he served as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Central State University in Ohio. He went on to work three years (2013-15) at Michigan State, spending two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant under then-Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and one year as a recruiting assistant.
While in East Lansing, Johnson collaborated with some of the nation's top defensive units and players. His work with Michigan State's secondary included time with All-America cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who won the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back. Dennard was a first-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft. Johnson also worked with cornerback Trae Waynes, a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2015.
During this time, Johnson also completed an NFL scouting internship with the Detroit Lions.
Following MSU, Johnson spent two seasons (2016-17) as the safeties coach at Savannah State University.
Johnson graduated from Miami with a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminology. He went on to earn his master's degree in kinesiology from Michigan State.
2018 PITT FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Pat Narduzzi, head coach
Charlie Partridge, assistant head coach/defensive line
Shawn Watson, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Randy Bates, defensive coordinator
Andre Powell, special teams coordinator/running backs
Rob Harley, linebackers/recruiting coordinator
Dave Borbely, offensive line
Archie Collins, secondary
Tim Salem, tight ends
Cory Sanders, safeties
Kevin Sherman, wide receivers
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- The hiring of Cory Sanders as safeties coach. Sanders, who spent last season at Western Michigan and is a former head coach at the Division II level, joins the Panthers as their 10th assistant.
- The promotion of Charlie Partridge to assistant head coach.
- The hiring of Paris Johnson as assistant director of player personnel. Johnson, a former Arizona Cardinals draft pick, most recently was the safeties coach at Savannah State University.
"In only a year's time, Charlie Partridge has made a tremendous impact on our program. Charlie is universally respected for the type of leader, coach and person he is. His promotion to assistant head coach is well deserved as he has been so invaluable in so many different areas. We are incredibly fortunate to have him, along with his wife Julie and two wonderful daughters, as part of our Pitt family."
"I've known Paris Johnson for a very long time, dating back to the 1990s when he was an outstanding safety at Miami of Ohio. He then worked for us as a graduate assistant at Michigan State. His experiences as a player and assistant coach will be great strengths for not only our recruiting office but also our entire program."
*****
Entering his second season on Narduzzi's Pitt staff, Partridge owns outstanding experience as an FBS head coach, accomplished assistant and renowned recruiter. In addition to his new responsibilities as assistant head coach, Partridge's positional focus will remain on the Panthers' emerging defensive front, which returns all four starters and 10 total lettermen for the 2018 season.
This is Partridge's second tour at Pitt. He originally served under head coaches Walt Harris and Dave Wannstedt as an assistant from 2003-07.
*****
The defensive backs coach at Western Michigan in 2017, Sanders oversaw the development of two All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) cornerbacks, Darius Phillips and Sam Beal. Phillips, who had two defensive returns for touchdowns last season (67-yard fumble and 43-yard interception) played in the prestigious Senior Bowl and is considered a strong NFL Draft prospect.
"I am really energized and honored to accept this opportunity to join Coach Narduzzi's staff at Pitt," Sanders said. "The University of Pittsburgh has such great football history and also ranks among the very best academically as well. Coach Narduzzi is building something special at Pitt and I can't wait to hit the field this spring and start coaching. It will be an honor to walk into schools on recruiting visits wearing that Pitt logo. I'm excited to work hard and help keep the program's momentum rolling."
Prior to WMU, Sanders was part of building an NCAA Division II program at the University of West Florida, which played its inaugural season in 2016. He was named the program's first defensive coordinator in December 2014 and was instrumental in building a foundation for the Argonauts' opening campaign 18 months later.
UWF went 5-6 in 2016, the most victories for a first-year Division II program in a decade. Sanders' aggressive defense ranked 11th nationally in quarterback sacks (3.6 sacks/game) and 26th in tackles for loss (8.2 TFLs/game) that season, while Argonauts safety Trent Archie was named the Gulf South Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Prior to West Florida, Sanders spent five seasons (2010-14) on the football staff at Division II Saint Joseph's (Ind.) College, his alma mater. The team's defensive coordinator his initial year, Sanders was promoted to head coach for the 2011 season and rebuilt the Pumas into a contender in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
The team achieved runner-up finishes in the GLVC in each of his final two seasons, while featuring a nationally ranked defense. The Pumas also set a school record for single-season total offense (4,594 yards) during his tenure and produced 36 All-GLVC performers.
Sanders initial coaching appointments came at North Central College (2007) and Elmhurst College (2008-09). He coached the defensive backs at both Illinois institutions.
Sanders himself was an outstanding collegiate defensive back. He was a four-time all-conference honoree at Saint Joseph's and was elected a Pumas team captain three times. Sanders was an instrumental performer for two conference championship teams and finished his career fifth in school history with 30.5 TFLs.
Sanders is a 2007 graduate of Saint Joseph's with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
*****
As Pitt's new assistant director of player personnel, Johnson brings a strong background that includes experience as both a player and coach.Johnson was a standout defensive back at Miami (Ohio) University, where he earned first team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors at strong safety. As a senior in 1998, he helped the RedHawks to a 10-1 record and share of the MAC East Division title.
Johnson began his collegiate career at North Iowa Community College, serving as a team captain and earning all-region accolades before matriculating to Miami.
In the 1999 NFL Draft, he was a fifth-round selection of the Arizona Cardinals. In addition to Arizona, Johnson also had stints with the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys.
Johnson returned to college football in 2012, when he served as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Central State University in Ohio. He went on to work three years (2013-15) at Michigan State, spending two seasons as a defensive graduate assistant under then-Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and one year as a recruiting assistant.
While in East Lansing, Johnson collaborated with some of the nation's top defensive units and players. His work with Michigan State's secondary included time with All-America cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who won the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back. Dennard was a first-round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft. Johnson also worked with cornerback Trae Waynes, a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2015.
During this time, Johnson also completed an NFL scouting internship with the Detroit Lions.
Following MSU, Johnson spent two seasons (2016-17) as the safeties coach at Savannah State University.
Johnson graduated from Miami with a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminology. He went on to earn his master's degree in kinesiology from Michigan State.
2018 PITT FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Pat Narduzzi, head coach
Charlie Partridge, assistant head coach/defensive line
Shawn Watson, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Randy Bates, defensive coordinator
Andre Powell, special teams coordinator/running backs
Rob Harley, linebackers/recruiting coordinator
Dave Borbely, offensive line
Archie Collins, secondary
Tim Salem, tight ends
Cory Sanders, safeties
Kevin Sherman, wide receivers
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