Football
Partridge, Charlie
Charlie Partridge
- Title:
- Defensive Line
- Season at Pitt:
- 12th
Follow Charlie Partridge: Twitter | Instagram
Widely considered the nation’s finest teacher of defensive line play, Charlie Partridge enters his seventh season on Pat Narduzzi’s staff. In addition to his work with the Panthers’ dominant defensive front, Partridge also serves as assistant head coach.
Partridge has twice been recognized by FootballScoop as the National Defensive Line Coach of the Year. He was the 2022 honoree after overseeing the development of tackle Calijah Kancey, a unanimous All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Kancey led the nation’s interior defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss. He was the only player in the country to be selected a 2022 finalist for both the Outland Trophy (nation’s best interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year).
Kancey was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Additionally, Partridge’s starting defensive end duo of Deslin Alexandre (New York Jets) and Habakkuk Baldonado (New York Giants) signed NFL contracts.
Partridge was also honored by FootballScoop in 2020, when he produced the country's top defensive end duo in Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver. Both players earned consensus All-America honors—the first time since 1977 that Pitt had two defensive players earn consensus status in the same season.
In 2019, tackle Jaylen Twyman was named a second team All-American by six different outlets after compiling a team-high 10.5 sacks.
Jones (Minnesota Vikings), Weaver (Tennessee Titans) and Twyman (Vikings) were each selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
This is Partridge's second tour at Pitt. He originally served under head coaches Walt Harris and Dave Wannstedt from 2003-07.
From 2014-16, Partridge was the head coach at Florida Atlantic University. Inheriting a program in need of a complete rebuild, on and off the field, he signed three of the finest recruiting classes in FAU history. His 2015 class was hailed as the best in Conference USA. Partridge recruited 10 players to FAU who went on to sign NFL contracts. In the classroom, the Owls set new program standards for individual academic achievement and the highest team grade point average.
Partridge spent the 2013 season at Arkansas, where he served as assistant head coach and oversaw the defensive line. Under his watch, defensive ends Trey Flowers and Chris Smith were All-SEC performers. Partridge also contributed to the Razorbacks’ special teams that featured All-SEC kicker Zach Hocker and punter Sam Irwin-Hill, who ranked 15th nationally with a 44.3-yard average.
Partridge was instrumental in one of the best five-year runs in Wisconsin history from 2008-12. Initially serving as defensive line and specialist coach, he was elevated to associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator for his final two seasons. The Badgers won three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2010-12. His most accomplished pupil was defensive end J.J. Watt, a 2010 All-American and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy as the national defensive player of the year.
During Partridge’s initial Pitt tenure, he worked with the defensive line for four seasons and the linebackers in his final campaign. He also served as the Panthers’ special teams coordinator in 2006-07. In 2007, Pitt ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, yielding just 297.7 yards per game.
Under the guidance of Partridge and defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads in 2007, first-year starting middle linebacker Scott McKillop led the nation in tackles (12.6 per game), earning All-America status and unanimous first-team All-Big East honors. Another Partridge protégé, defensive end Joe Clermond, led the Big East in tackles for loss (16.5) in 2006.
Pitt’s special teams were highly productive under Partridge’s guidance. In 2006, the Panthers led the Big East in net punting (37.5 avg.) and kickoff returns (24.1 avg.). During the 2007 campaign, Pitt topped the conference in field goal percentage (81.8%, 18-22) and PAT kicking (100%, 28-28), while ranking second in kickoff returns (22.9 avg.). ESPN’s 2006 College Football “Play of the Year” was a Pitt special teams gem—Darrelle Revis’ 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against West Virginia.
Partridge served four seasons (1998-2001) at Iowa State in administrative and coaching roles. In 2002, Partridge was hired by Eastern Illinois University as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. The Panthers advanced to the NCAA I-AA playoffs that year and shared the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championship.
Partridge was an NSCA All-America defensive lineman for Drake University. His collegiate coaching career began at his alma mater as a Drake graduate assistant during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
Partridge and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Alexa and Kylee.
PERSONAL INFORMATIONWidely considered the nation’s finest teacher of defensive line play, Charlie Partridge enters his seventh season on Pat Narduzzi’s staff. In addition to his work with the Panthers’ dominant defensive front, Partridge also serves as assistant head coach.
Partridge has twice been recognized by FootballScoop as the National Defensive Line Coach of the Year. He was the 2022 honoree after overseeing the development of tackle Calijah Kancey, a unanimous All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Kancey led the nation’s interior defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss. He was the only player in the country to be selected a 2022 finalist for both the Outland Trophy (nation’s best interior lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year).
Kancey was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Additionally, Partridge’s starting defensive end duo of Deslin Alexandre (New York Jets) and Habakkuk Baldonado (New York Giants) signed NFL contracts.
Partridge was also honored by FootballScoop in 2020, when he produced the country's top defensive end duo in Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver. Both players earned consensus All-America honors—the first time since 1977 that Pitt had two defensive players earn consensus status in the same season.
In 2019, tackle Jaylen Twyman was named a second team All-American by six different outlets after compiling a team-high 10.5 sacks.
Jones (Minnesota Vikings), Weaver (Tennessee Titans) and Twyman (Vikings) were each selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
This is Partridge's second tour at Pitt. He originally served under head coaches Walt Harris and Dave Wannstedt from 2003-07.
From 2014-16, Partridge was the head coach at Florida Atlantic University. Inheriting a program in need of a complete rebuild, on and off the field, he signed three of the finest recruiting classes in FAU history. His 2015 class was hailed as the best in Conference USA. Partridge recruited 10 players to FAU who went on to sign NFL contracts. In the classroom, the Owls set new program standards for individual academic achievement and the highest team grade point average.
Partridge spent the 2013 season at Arkansas, where he served as assistant head coach and oversaw the defensive line. Under his watch, defensive ends Trey Flowers and Chris Smith were All-SEC performers. Partridge also contributed to the Razorbacks’ special teams that featured All-SEC kicker Zach Hocker and punter Sam Irwin-Hill, who ranked 15th nationally with a 44.3-yard average.
Partridge was instrumental in one of the best five-year runs in Wisconsin history from 2008-12. Initially serving as defensive line and specialist coach, he was elevated to associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator for his final two seasons. The Badgers won three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2010-12. His most accomplished pupil was defensive end J.J. Watt, a 2010 All-American and winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy as the national defensive player of the year.
During Partridge’s initial Pitt tenure, he worked with the defensive line for four seasons and the linebackers in his final campaign. He also served as the Panthers’ special teams coordinator in 2006-07. In 2007, Pitt ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, yielding just 297.7 yards per game.
Under the guidance of Partridge and defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads in 2007, first-year starting middle linebacker Scott McKillop led the nation in tackles (12.6 per game), earning All-America status and unanimous first-team All-Big East honors. Another Partridge protégé, defensive end Joe Clermond, led the Big East in tackles for loss (16.5) in 2006.
Pitt’s special teams were highly productive under Partridge’s guidance. In 2006, the Panthers led the Big East in net punting (37.5 avg.) and kickoff returns (24.1 avg.). During the 2007 campaign, Pitt topped the conference in field goal percentage (81.8%, 18-22) and PAT kicking (100%, 28-28), while ranking second in kickoff returns (22.9 avg.). ESPN’s 2006 College Football “Play of the Year” was a Pitt special teams gem—Darrelle Revis’ 73-yard punt return for a touchdown against West Virginia.
Partridge served four seasons (1998-2001) at Iowa State in administrative and coaching roles. In 2002, Partridge was hired by Eastern Illinois University as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. The Panthers advanced to the NCAA I-AA playoffs that year and shared the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championship.
Partridge was an NSCA All-America defensive lineman for Drake University. His collegiate coaching career began at his alma mater as a Drake graduate assistant during the 1996 and 1997 seasons.
Partridge and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Alexa and Kylee.
Born: December 7, 1973
Hometown: Plantation, Fla.
Alma Mater: Drake, 1995
Family: Partridge and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Alexa and Kylee.
Pitt, 2017-present, defensive line; 2018-present, assistant head coach.
Florida Atlantic, 2014-16, head coach.
Arkansas, 2013, assistant head coach and defensive line.
Wisconsin, 2008-10, defensive line and specialists; 2011-12, associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive line.
Pitt, 2003-05, defensive ends; 2005, special teams; 2006-07, special teams coordinator; 2006, defensive line; 2007, linebackers.
Eastern Illinois, 2002, defensive line and recruiting coordinator.
Iowa State, 1998-99, graduate assistant; 2000-01, director of football operations.
Drake, 1996-97, graduate assistant.
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