University of Pittsburgh Athletics
2/19/2024 9:00:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—JJ Laster, whose pass catchers have helped fuel some of college football's most explosive offenses, has been named the new wide receivers coach at Pitt, it was announced today by the Panthers' Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach, Pat Narduzzi.
Laster joins the Pitt coaching staff from Old Dominion, where he was recently appointed as wide receivers coach.
He spent the past three full seasons (2021-23) at Western Carolina, where he worked with new Pitt offensive coordinator Kade Bell.
In 2023, the Catamounts led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in total offense with an average of 504.1 yards per game. Additionally, WCU ranked third in passing offense (321.1 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (37.5 points per game).
"I am incredibly honored and blessed to join Coach Narduzzi's staff at the University of Pittsburgh," Laster said. "I know there is a great tradition of wide receiver excellence at Pitt. We are going to work tremendously hard to build on that rich history. I'm really looking forward to getting to Pitt to meet our players and prepare for a great spring."
"It was apparent upon first meeting JJ that he is a tremendous teacher and leader of young men," Narduzzi said. "He is the type of coach who will provide leadership well beyond the field and impact our players' lives outside of football. Our entire team is really going to enjoy getting to know him."
"JJ has a great understanding of Coach Bell's offense given their really successful collaborations at WCU," Narduzzi continued. "We are looking forward to getting JJ started as we prepare for spring ball."
Under Laster's tutelage at WCU, David White Jr.developed into a viable 2024 NFL Draft prospect and made strong impressions at the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl and Hula Bowl all-star games. Moreover, Censere Lee was an All-Southern Conference performer, compiling 82 receptions for 1,426 yards (17.4 avg.) and 14 touchdowns over two seasons.
Prior to WCU, Laster served as running backs and tight ends coach at Gardner-Webb in 2019. He coached three All-Big South Conference players: running back Jaylin Cagle, who rushed for 930 yards and eight touchdowns; all-purpose dynamo Devron Harper, an FCS Freshman All-American who compiled 1,600 all-purpose yards; and tight end AJ Alexander, who was a major strength in the run and pass games for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
From 2016-18, Laster coached at Tusculum University. He initially oversaw the Pioneers' running backs for two seasons before shifting to wide receivers for his final year. Laster also served as the program's recruiting coordinator.
Laster himself was an outstanding collegiate running back and return specialist at Jacksonville University (2008-11). He twice earned All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) honors, while compiling more than 2,400 scrimmage yards and scoring 21 touchdowns for his career.
In 2010, Laster paced the entire FCS with an average of 8.5 yards per rush, netting 810 yards on just 95 carries. He was part of two PFL championships (2008 and 2010) during his Jacksonville playing career.
Laster's coaching path began at Florida's Allen D. Nease High School, where he worked with the running backs (2012-13). He returned to Jacksonville University for the 2014-15 seasons as a defensive graduate assistant with a positional focus on the linebackers.
Laster earned two degrees from Jacksonville: a bachelor's in geography (2012) and master's in leadership and learning.
#H2P | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
