University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Bates to Retire After More Than 40 Years of Coaching
12/26/2025 3:00:00 PM | Football
Pitt’s defensive coordinator’s final game will be Saturday’s Military Bowl
PITTSBURGH—Defensive coordinator Randy Bates will retire from coaching following the Panthers' appearance in the Military Bowl tomorrow, concluding a distinguished coaching career that has spanned more than four decades.
"I want to start by thanking my family: my wife, Tracey, and my three daughters, Samantha, Alexandra and Olivia," said Bates. "Without their support, patience and love, I never would have been able to make it through all these years. They've been my foundation at every stop along the way, and I'm eternally grateful for everything they sacrificed for me.
"I could also go on forever about the many mentors who helped shape me both personally and professionally. I thank each of them for their guidance and generosity over the years. I couldn't have made it here without them.
"Finally, I want to thank the University of Pittsburgh, my fellow coaches and every player who wore the Pitt Script on his helmet. I am especially grateful for Coach Pat Narduzzi for his trust, leadership and friendship. He gave me the professional opportunity of a lifetime, and working at Pitt has been one of the great privileges of my career.
"Pitt is special because of its people, and I will forever be proud of what we accomplished together."
Bates has served as Pitt's defensive coordinator since 2018 and has been one of the most prominent defensive minds in college football during that time. Under his leadership, the Panthers have annually fielded one of the nation's most aggressive and productive defenses.
Since Bates' second season with Pitt in 2019, the Panthers have recorded a national-best 299 quarterback sacks, while also ranking among the country's top rushing defenses multiple times. Bates' units also proved capable of turning defense into offense, producing an ACC-best 20 defensive touchdowns over the last five seasons.
"Randy Bates is everything you want in a coach, leader and man," said Narduzzi. "He's an elite football mind, but more importantly, he's a tremendous teacher and mentor who made a lasting impact on our players and staff. I'm grateful for everything he's done for Pitt Football and proud to celebrate him as he closes out this chapter. On behalf of our program, I want to wish him, his wife Tracey, and their beautiful family, nothing but the best."
During Bates' tenure, Pitt's defense showcased some of the country's elite players, producing four first-team All-Americans: linebacker Kyle Louis (2024), tackle Calijah Kancey (2022), and ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver (both 2020).
Louis made history as the first Pitt sophomore defensive player to earn first-team All-America honors since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978.
Kancey capped his dominant career by being named a unanimous All-American and the 2022 ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jones and Weaver were consensus All-Americans who went on to become 2021 NFL Draft selections, further cementing Pitt's defensive NFL pipeline.
Bates also received prestigious recognition himself. He was named the 2020 Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The award is annually presented to an assistant coach who distinguishes himself through on-field performance and community impact.
A retired U.S. Navy lieutenant, Bates is widely respected not only for his football accomplishments but also for his service, integrity, and commitment to developing young men on and off the field.
He arrived in Pittsburgh after 12 seasons at Northwestern and coached at Louisiana Tech, Kent State, New Hampshire, Navy and several other collegiate stops.
