Photo by: Jeffrey Gamza/Pitt Athletics
Pat Narduzzi Signs New Pitt Pact through 2030
3/28/2022 8:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh and Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach Pat Narduzzi agreed to a new contract that ensures his leadership of the Panthers through at least the 2030 season, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Heather Lyke.
"Our ACC championship season was the result of a strong culture and foundation that Pat Narduzzi has tirelessly built for Pitt football," Lyke said. "That foundation has our program positioned for sustained success well into the future. Continuity of leadership, especially outstanding leadership like Coach Narduzzi and his staff have provided, has been integral to our program's rise. We know that we are poised for even more history-making moments in the years to come with Coach Narduzzi on our sideline."
The 2022 season will mark Narduzzi's eighth as head coach of the Panthers.
"I love Pitt football and the University of Pittsburgh," Narduzzi said. "Pitt is truly home for my family and me. We are proud to represent this outstanding university and live in this tremendous city.
"I am so appreciative of our players, coaches and staff. Nothing great can be accomplished without their efforts and commitment. I've always talked about the importance of pushing together in the same direction. We have that at Pitt across the board.
"That's why it was such a special moment down in Charlotte to hand that ACC championship trophy to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and Heather Lyke, our athletic director. Their support and belief in what our football program can achieve has been vital. They are fully committed to the success of our student-athletes in every respect—academically, athletically and personally. It shows why Pitt is such a special place.
"Our goal is to bring more championships back to Pitt. I can't wait to lead this team into the 2022 season, starting with our nationally televised opener against West Virginia."
Last year, Narduzzi led Pitt to one of the most accomplished seasons in school history. The Panthers' stormed to 11 victories—their most since 1981—and claimed their first outright conference title with a 45-21 triumph over Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
Pitt earned a No. 13 ranking in the final polls, its highest finish since 1982. The Panthers placed No. 12 in the final College Football Playoff ratings, their highest ever.
In the wake of that historic season, Narduzzi received the Andy Talley Tri-State Coach of the Year award, annually presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the top college coach in the northeast region. Narduzzi was a finalist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year and Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year national awards.
Over his initial seven seasons as Pitt's head coach, Narduzzi has compiled a 53-37 overall record, making him the fourth-winningest football coach in school history.
Since 2015, he has led the Panthers to 36 victories in ACC play, the conference's third-highest win total during that span. Only Clemson (52) and Miami (37) have won more.
Narduzzi has coached seven first team All-Americans at Pitt, including three in 2021: wide receiver Jordan Addison, quarterback Kenny Pickett and long snapper Cal Adomitis.
Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award (nation's outstanding receiver), Pickett won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation's top upperclassman quarterback) and was a Heisman Trophy finalist, while Adomitis earned the Patrick Mannelly Award (nation's top long snapper).
Under Narduzzi's watch, Pitt continues to produce high-level NFL prospects. Pickett, one of the most prominent players in this year's draft, is projected to be the first Pitt quarterback selected in the opening round since Dan Marino in 1983.
Six Pitt products were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most of any program in the ACC and tied for eighth nationally.
The Panthers have also excelled in the classroom and community during Narduzzi's tenure.
In 2020, Pitt earned an NCAA Public Recognition Award for achieving an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score that ranked in the top 10% of all football programs. The Panthers' multi-year 988 APR set a Pitt football program record and was 24 points higher than the national average.
One of the tenets of Narduzzi's program has been "giving back." As a result, football student-athletes have been among Pitt's most active and enthusiastic when it comes to community service. Four of Narduzzi's players have been named to the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Adomitis (2021), wide receiver Tre Tipton (2019), linebacker Mike Caprara (2016) and running back James Conner (2015).
Season tickets are currently available at PittsburghPanthers.com and start at just $180. Fans have the option to pay in full or take advantage of an interest-free monthly payment plan. For pricing, seating maps, season ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
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"Our ACC championship season was the result of a strong culture and foundation that Pat Narduzzi has tirelessly built for Pitt football," Lyke said. "That foundation has our program positioned for sustained success well into the future. Continuity of leadership, especially outstanding leadership like Coach Narduzzi and his staff have provided, has been integral to our program's rise. We know that we are poised for even more history-making moments in the years to come with Coach Narduzzi on our sideline."
The 2022 season will mark Narduzzi's eighth as head coach of the Panthers.
"I love Pitt football and the University of Pittsburgh," Narduzzi said. "Pitt is truly home for my family and me. We are proud to represent this outstanding university and live in this tremendous city.
"I am so appreciative of our players, coaches and staff. Nothing great can be accomplished without their efforts and commitment. I've always talked about the importance of pushing together in the same direction. We have that at Pitt across the board.
"That's why it was such a special moment down in Charlotte to hand that ACC championship trophy to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher and Heather Lyke, our athletic director. Their support and belief in what our football program can achieve has been vital. They are fully committed to the success of our student-athletes in every respect—academically, athletically and personally. It shows why Pitt is such a special place.
"Our goal is to bring more championships back to Pitt. I can't wait to lead this team into the 2022 season, starting with our nationally televised opener against West Virginia."
Last year, Narduzzi led Pitt to one of the most accomplished seasons in school history. The Panthers' stormed to 11 victories—their most since 1981—and claimed their first outright conference title with a 45-21 triumph over Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
Pitt earned a No. 13 ranking in the final polls, its highest finish since 1982. The Panthers placed No. 12 in the final College Football Playoff ratings, their highest ever.
In the wake of that historic season, Narduzzi received the Andy Talley Tri-State Coach of the Year award, annually presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the top college coach in the northeast region. Narduzzi was a finalist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year and Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year national awards.
Over his initial seven seasons as Pitt's head coach, Narduzzi has compiled a 53-37 overall record, making him the fourth-winningest football coach in school history.
Since 2015, he has led the Panthers to 36 victories in ACC play, the conference's third-highest win total during that span. Only Clemson (52) and Miami (37) have won more.
Narduzzi has coached seven first team All-Americans at Pitt, including three in 2021: wide receiver Jordan Addison, quarterback Kenny Pickett and long snapper Cal Adomitis.
Addison won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award (nation's outstanding receiver), Pickett won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation's top upperclassman quarterback) and was a Heisman Trophy finalist, while Adomitis earned the Patrick Mannelly Award (nation's top long snapper).
Under Narduzzi's watch, Pitt continues to produce high-level NFL prospects. Pickett, one of the most prominent players in this year's draft, is projected to be the first Pitt quarterback selected in the opening round since Dan Marino in 1983.
Six Pitt products were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most of any program in the ACC and tied for eighth nationally.
The Panthers have also excelled in the classroom and community during Narduzzi's tenure.
In 2020, Pitt earned an NCAA Public Recognition Award for achieving an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score that ranked in the top 10% of all football programs. The Panthers' multi-year 988 APR set a Pitt football program record and was 24 points higher than the national average.
One of the tenets of Narduzzi's program has been "giving back." As a result, football student-athletes have been among Pitt's most active and enthusiastic when it comes to community service. Four of Narduzzi's players have been named to the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Adomitis (2021), wide receiver Tre Tipton (2019), linebacker Mike Caprara (2016) and running back James Conner (2015).
Season tickets are currently available at PittsburghPanthers.com and start at just $180. Fans have the option to pay in full or take advantage of an interest-free monthly payment plan. For pricing, seating maps, season ticket holder benefits and more, click here or call (800) 643-7488.
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