University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi Named Finalist for Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
12/7/2021 1:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi, who led the Panthers to their first 11-win season since the Dan Marino era, has been named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, it was announced today by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Under Narduzzi's direction, Pitt has compiled an 11-2 record and won the program's first ACC championship with a 45-21 triumph over Wake Forest. The Panthers achieved a No. 12 ranking in the final College Football Playoff ratings, the highest in program history.
Pitt's 11 victories are its most since 1981, when the Panthers—coached by Jackie Sherrill and quarterbacked by Marino—went 11-1.
As ACC champions, Pitt earned an invitation to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where it will play Michigan State on December 30 in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It marks the Panthers' first New Year's Six game since the 2004 team advanced to the Fiesta Bowl out of the Big East Conference.
Since taking over as head coach in 2015, Narduzzi has led Pitt to 36 victories in ACC play, the league's third-highest win total during that stretch. He is one of only two coaches nationwide—joining Alabama's Nick Saban—with multiple victories over Clemson in that span. The Panthers defeated the Tigers 27-17 this season and 43-42 in 2016, Clemson's lone blemish during its national title run.
Player accolades have been abundant under Narduzzi this season. Record-breaking quarterback Kenny Pickett was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, among several other prestigious awards.
Jordan Addison, who leads the nation with 17 touchdown catches, is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to college football's outstanding receiver. Cal Adomitis is a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation's top long snapper.
The Panthers led the ACC this year with 12 All-ACC honorees, including the conference's Player of the Year in Pickett.
The FWAA has presented this prestigious Coach of the Year award since 1957. It was named in Eddie Robinson's honor in 1997.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Under Narduzzi's direction, Pitt has compiled an 11-2 record and won the program's first ACC championship with a 45-21 triumph over Wake Forest. The Panthers achieved a No. 12 ranking in the final College Football Playoff ratings, the highest in program history.
Pitt's 11 victories are its most since 1981, when the Panthers—coached by Jackie Sherrill and quarterbacked by Marino—went 11-1.
As ACC champions, Pitt earned an invitation to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, where it will play Michigan State on December 30 in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It marks the Panthers' first New Year's Six game since the 2004 team advanced to the Fiesta Bowl out of the Big East Conference.
Since taking over as head coach in 2015, Narduzzi has led Pitt to 36 victories in ACC play, the league's third-highest win total during that stretch. He is one of only two coaches nationwide—joining Alabama's Nick Saban—with multiple victories over Clemson in that span. The Panthers defeated the Tigers 27-17 this season and 43-42 in 2016, Clemson's lone blemish during its national title run.
Player accolades have been abundant under Narduzzi this season. Record-breaking quarterback Kenny Pickett was named the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, among several other prestigious awards.
Jordan Addison, who leads the nation with 17 touchdown catches, is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, presented to college football's outstanding receiver. Cal Adomitis is a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award, given to the nation's top long snapper.
The Panthers led the ACC this year with 12 All-ACC honorees, including the conference's Player of the Year in Pickett.
The FWAA has presented this prestigious Coach of the Year award since 1957. It was named in Eddie Robinson's honor in 1997.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Players Mentioned
The Pat Narduzzi Radio Show | Episode 11.11 | 11.19.25
Thursday, November 20
Caleb Junko | Day in the Life | Pitt LiveWire presented by UPMC
Thursday, November 20
A Day in the Life of Caleb Junko | Pitt LiveWire presented by UPMC
Thursday, November 20
Georgia Tech Week | Archie Collins, Jake Overman, Lyndon Cooper
Wednesday, November 19