NFL Stars Aaron Donald and LeSean McCoy to Serve as Honorary Pitt Coaches
4/11/2019 8:30:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Former Pitt greats Aaron Donald and LeSean McCoy, named to a combined 11 Pro Bowls during their accomplished NFL careers, will serve as honorary coaches for Saturday's Blue-Gold Game presented by PNC at Heinz Field.
"When you think about NFL players who have set the standard at their positions over the last decade, Aaron Donald and LeSean McCoy are definitely high on that list," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Our current players walk past their images every day in our facility. They performed at the highest levels while at Pitt and continue to do it in the pros. We are thrilled Aaron and LeSean will be with us on Saturday. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing them on our sideline again decked out in Blue and Gold."
Donald starred at Pitt from 2010-13, collecting 66 tackles for loss during his career, still the most by an FBS interior defensive lineman (and fourth regardless of position) since 2000 when the NCAA began tracking that statistic.
As a senior in 2013, Donald led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and a blocked extra point. He was named a unanimous first team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.
Selected by the Rams in the first round (13th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his five professional seasons. He was honored as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. During the Rams' drive to the Super Bowl this past season, Donald led the NFL with 20.5 sacks, the most in a season by an interior defensive lineman in NFL history. He additionally paced the NFL in tackles for loss (25) and quarterback hits (41).
McCoy had two spectacular seasons for the Panthers (2007-08) before declaring for the NFL Draft. Even in that brief span, he left an indelible mark on the school record book. His 2,816 yards still rank eighth all-time at Pitt. With 36 career touchdowns, McCoy set the Pitt record for most TDs as a freshman and sophomore. He additionally set Pitt standards for most rushing yards and rushing TDs (35) as a freshman and sophomore.
McCoy burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2007, earning first team All-Big East, Big East Rookie of the Year and unanimous Freshman All-America status. He was the country's top freshman rusher with an average of 110.67 yards per game (1,328 total) and ranked 21st overall. As a sophomore in 2008, he rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 TDs, ranking second in the nation in scoring (9.69 ppg.) and 10th in rushing (114.46 avg.). He was named the 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year by a league media panel and a second team All-American by SI.com.
A second-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2009 NFL Draft, McCoy has rambled for 10,606 rushing yards over his decade-long career. A member of the Buffalo Bills since 2015, he is the only player in NFL history with 10,000+ rushing yards, 400+ receptions, 80+ total TDs and a 4.5-yard rushing average per carry. McCoy leads the NFL in most yards from scrimmage (14,222) since 2009. He has been elected to six Pro Bowls, including in 2013 when he was the NFL rushing champion with 1,607 yards.
The Blue-Gold Game will start at 1 p.m., but activities on the North Shore will commence two hours before with attractions for the entire family. Beginning at 11 a.m., Art Rooney Avenue will host an array of kid-friendly activities, including an inflatable bounce house, various interactive games and Pitt-themed airbrush tattoos.
All fans will enter Heinz Field through Gate A, which opens to the general public at noon (11 a.m. for Panther Club donors with membership card). Seating will be general admission in the lower bowl on the west side (home sideline) of the stadium.
At the conclusion of the game, the Panthers will host an autograph and photo session on the field. To participate, fans must preregister at the Pitt Athletics tent outside of Gate A before kickoff. Pitt football posters will be available for all attendees.
All events surrounding the Blue-Gold Game are free of charge. Parking will be available for a nominal fee in Gold Lot 1 and Gold Lot 2 beginning at 10 a.m.
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"When you think about NFL players who have set the standard at their positions over the last decade, Aaron Donald and LeSean McCoy are definitely high on that list," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "Our current players walk past their images every day in our facility. They performed at the highest levels while at Pitt and continue to do it in the pros. We are thrilled Aaron and LeSean will be with us on Saturday. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing them on our sideline again decked out in Blue and Gold."
Donald starred at Pitt from 2010-13, collecting 66 tackles for loss during his career, still the most by an FBS interior defensive lineman (and fourth regardless of position) since 2000 when the NCAA began tracking that statistic.
As a senior in 2013, Donald led the nation with 28.5 tackles for loss and added 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and a blocked extra point. He was named a unanimous first team All-American and the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award, making him one of the most decorated players in Pitt history.
Selected by the Rams in the first round (13th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his five professional seasons. He was honored as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. During the Rams' drive to the Super Bowl this past season, Donald led the NFL with 20.5 sacks, the most in a season by an interior defensive lineman in NFL history. He additionally paced the NFL in tackles for loss (25) and quarterback hits (41).
McCoy had two spectacular seasons for the Panthers (2007-08) before declaring for the NFL Draft. Even in that brief span, he left an indelible mark on the school record book. His 2,816 yards still rank eighth all-time at Pitt. With 36 career touchdowns, McCoy set the Pitt record for most TDs as a freshman and sophomore. He additionally set Pitt standards for most rushing yards and rushing TDs (35) as a freshman and sophomore.
McCoy burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2007, earning first team All-Big East, Big East Rookie of the Year and unanimous Freshman All-America status. He was the country's top freshman rusher with an average of 110.67 yards per game (1,328 total) and ranked 21st overall. As a sophomore in 2008, he rushed for 1,488 yards and 21 TDs, ranking second in the nation in scoring (9.69 ppg.) and 10th in rushing (114.46 avg.). He was named the 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year by a league media panel and a second team All-American by SI.com.
A second-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2009 NFL Draft, McCoy has rambled for 10,606 rushing yards over his decade-long career. A member of the Buffalo Bills since 2015, he is the only player in NFL history with 10,000+ rushing yards, 400+ receptions, 80+ total TDs and a 4.5-yard rushing average per carry. McCoy leads the NFL in most yards from scrimmage (14,222) since 2009. He has been elected to six Pro Bowls, including in 2013 when he was the NFL rushing champion with 1,607 yards.
The Blue-Gold Game will start at 1 p.m., but activities on the North Shore will commence two hours before with attractions for the entire family. Beginning at 11 a.m., Art Rooney Avenue will host an array of kid-friendly activities, including an inflatable bounce house, various interactive games and Pitt-themed airbrush tattoos.
All fans will enter Heinz Field through Gate A, which opens to the general public at noon (11 a.m. for Panther Club donors with membership card). Seating will be general admission in the lower bowl on the west side (home sideline) of the stadium.
At the conclusion of the game, the Panthers will host an autograph and photo session on the field. To participate, fans must preregister at the Pitt Athletics tent outside of Gate A before kickoff. Pitt football posters will be available for all attendees.
All events surrounding the Blue-Gold Game are free of charge. Parking will be available for a nominal fee in Gold Lot 1 and Gold Lot 2 beginning at 10 a.m.
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