University of Pittsburgh Athletics
#Top15of15: No. 15 -- Narduzzi's First Coaching Victory
12/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH - As we begin counting down the top 15 moments and plays of the 2015 season, we start with Pat Narduzzi's first victory as a head coach.
It was only fitting that Coach Narduzzi made his head coaching debut against his hometown team in Youngstown State. Narduzzi's father, the late Bill Narduzzi, was the YSU head coach from 1975-85, and Pat was a starting linebacker for his father in 1985 and led the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles as a freshman before finishing his playing days at Rhode Island.
Kicking off Pitt's 126th collegiate season, Narduzzi led the Panthers past Bo Pelini and Youngstown State 45-37 at Heinz Field on September 5.
"I am never going to forget this," said Narduzzi when he was presented the game ball by senior captain J.P. Holtz in the locker room after the game.
Narduzzi would go on to lead the Panthers to an 8-4 regular season mark, their best record in six years.
Pitt will play Navy in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman on December 28 at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (2:30 p.m. - ESPN).
The #Top15of15 will relive one of Pitt's top moments or plays of the season each day leading up to the bowl game in Annapolis.
