Football
- Title:
- Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach
- Alma Mater (Year):
- Rhode Island (1990)
- Year:
- 11th Season
- Coaching Record:
- 72-56 Overall (46-36 ACC)
Like the region it calls home, Pitt football under Pat Narduzzi has proven to be rugged, relentless and continuously rising.
Upon his hiring on December 26, 2014, Narduzzi pledged his Panthers would "play with a tough, blue-collar mentality—and how else would you want it in the City of Pittsburgh?"
Promise kept.
The 11th-year Chris Bickell '97 Head Football Coach has made an emphatic imprint on Pitt's program. His vision for the Panthers—on and off the field—continues to bear fruit in the form of ACC championships, All-Americans, NFL Draft picks and community impact.
- Narduzzi has compiled a 72-56 overall record as the Panthers’ head coach. His 72 victories rank second all-time at Pitt, trailing only the legendary Jock Sutherland, who compiled 111 wins from 1924-38.
- From 2015-24, Narduzzi directed Pitt to 46 victories in ACC play, the conference’s third-highest win total during that span, trailing only Clemson (71) and Miami (49).
- Narduzzi directed a historic 2021 campaign, when the Panthers stormed to 11 victories 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 2021 polls, its highest finish since 1982.
- In 2022, Pitt finished 9-4, including a stirring 37-35 win over nationally ranked UCLA in the Sun Bowl, to finish No. 22 in the final polls. It marked the first time since 1979-83 that the Panthers earned Top 25 finishes in back-to-back years.
- Narduzzi has coached 10 first team All-Americans at Pitt. In 2024, linebacker Kyle Louis was named a first team All-American by The Sporing News, becoming the first Pitt sophomore defensive player to earn that distinction since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978.
- Under Narduzzi’s watch, Pitt continues to produce high-level NFL prospects. Over the five NFL drafts from 2021-25, the Panthers' 20 picks were the second most of any ACC program (trailing only Clemson’s 22.)
- Six Pitt products—defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, offensive tackle Carter Warren, running back Israel Abanikanda, linebacker SirVocea Dennis and safeties Erick Hallett II and Brandon Hill—were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, the most in the ACC (tied with Clemson) and fifth most nationally.
- Kancey was drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, marking the second consecutive year Pitt produced a first-round pick. In the 2022 draft, quarterback Kenny Pickett was a first-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers—the first Pitt QB to be picked in the opening round since Dan Marino in 1983.
- Narduzzi’s Panthers have a well-earned reputation as a dangerous opponent for highly ranked foes. In 2019, Pitt scored a 35-34 triumph over UCF, which visited Heinz Field riding a 27-game non-bowl winning streak. The winning touchdown—a gadget-play pass caught by quarterback Kenny Pickett—has been immortalized as the "Pitt Special."
- In 2017, Pitt closed the season with a 24-14 victory over No. 2 Miami, which entered the game undefeated and on the cusp of the College Football Playoff.
- In 2016, the Panthers defeated two teams that finished in the top 5 of the final CFP rankings. Pitt gave No. 2 Clemson—that year’s national champion—its only loss (43-42) and kept No. 5 Penn State out of the playoff field by defeating the Nittany Lions, 42-39.
- Pitt has also thrived off the field under Narduzzi's watch. During the 2021-22 academic year, Pitt led all college football programs in community service hours per Helper Helper.
- During Narduzzi’s tenure, Pitt has two recipients of the Disney Spirit Award, presented to the most inspirational figure in college football: James Conner (2016) and Tre Tipton (2021). Additionally, Deslin Alexandre was honored as the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year and the male collegiate recipient of the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup for 2022.
- 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.
Narduzzi has engrained toughness and tenacity into the program’s culture. His passionate approach has spurred Pitt’s rise in the ACC and nationally. Moreover, he is committed—in both word and deed—to his student-athletes’ long-term growth.
That last point was vividly illustrated when Narduzzi and his wife, Donna, made a six-figure financial gift to the Pitt Football Championship Fund, which serves the program in such key areas as student-athlete development, facility improvement, technology and recruiting.
“I take great pride in wearing that Pitt Script on my chest each day as the University of Pittsburgh’s head football coach,” Narduzzi said. “This is an outstanding place with so many amazing people. Donna and I feel incredibly blessed to call Pitt our home.
“This gift is an expression of our thankfulness for the people of Pitt, especially the student-athletes we get to work with each day. Our responsibility is to give them the finest experiences possible—academically, athletically and personally. Donna and I feel truly honored and fortunate to be able to provide support for that mission at Pitt.”
Narduzzi arrived at Pitt following eight highly successful years as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State under former head coach Mark Dantonio. During that time the Spartans achieved five Top 25 finishes and Narduzzi's defense proved instrumental in that success. Michigan State was the only team to rank in the nation’s top 10 in total defense and rushing defense each season from 2011-14.
In 2014, the Spartans finished with a No. 5 national ranking and 11-2 record following a stirring 42-41 victory over Baylor in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Narduzzi’s defense shut out the high-scoring Bears in the fourth quarter, opening the door for 21 unanswered points by Michigan State.
Michigan State boasted the nation’s top rushing defense in 2014, yielding just 88.5 yards per game. The Spartans finished third nationally with 34 turnovers gained and eighth in total defense, holding opponents to just 315.8 yards per contest.
In 2013, Michigan State finished No. 3 in the country following a Big Ten title and 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl. In the wake of that championship season, Narduzzi was named the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Broyles Award, annually presented to the country’s top assistant coach.
Narduzzi tutored an impressive list of decorated defensive players at Michigan State, including first team All-Americans in cornerback Darqueze Dennard, safety Kurtis Drummond, linebacker Greg Jones and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy.
Dennard was a unanimous All-American in 2013, becoming the first Michigan State cornerback to earn that distinction. He also was the school’s first winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football’s top defensive back. Dennard was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, the first Spartans defensive back taken in the initial round since 1961. In the 2015 draft, another Narduzzi pupil, Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.
Narduzzi coached 19 first-team All-Big Ten selections. Four players won the conference’s top individual awards under his watch, including two Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honorees (Dennard in 2013 and Drummond in 2014). Shilique Calhoun was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2013 while Greg Jones was the overall Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.
Prior to Michigan State, Narduzzi spent three years (2004-06) as defensive coordinator under Dantonio at Cincinnati, helping the Bearcats to a pair of bowl invitations.
In 2003, Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator at Miami of Ohio under the late Terry Hoeppner. The RedHawks stormed to a 13-1 record that season, capturing the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship and defeating nationally ranked Louisville in the GMAC Bowl to finish No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger headlined Miami’s offense, Narduzzi’s stout unit topped the MAC in rushing defense (19th nationally), scoring defense (22nd nationally) and pass efficiency defense (34th nationally).
Narduzzi served as linebackers coach at Northern Illinois for three seasons (2000-02). NIU won a pair of MAC divisional titles during his tenure and in 2002 had the league’s top rushing defense.
From 1993-99, Narduzzi coached at his alma mater, Rhode Island, serving as the Rams’ defensive coordinator his final two seasons. He began his coaching career at Miami of Ohio, working as a graduate assistant in 1990 and 1991, before earning his first full-time position as receivers coach for the 1992 season.
Narduzzi was an All-Ohio performer at Youngstown’s Ursuline High School, leading the Irish to the Steel Valley championship and state playoffs as a senior in 1984. He was a starting linebacker under his father, the late Bill Narduzzi, as a freshman at Youngstown State University in 1985 before transferring to Rhode Island, where he became a three-year starter for the Rams from 1987-89.
Bill Narduzzi was head coach at YSU from 1975-85. He led the Penguins to two NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including the national championship game in 1979, and twice was named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year. (One of Bill’s first coaching posts was as a freshman line coach at Pitt in 1962.)
Narduzzi completed his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Rhode Island in 1990 and later earned a master’s degree in sports studies at Miami of Ohio in 1992.
He and his wife, Donna, have four children: Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1990
Family: Narduzzi and his wife, Donna, have four children: Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.
COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Rhode Island, 1987-89, three-year starter at linebacker
Youngstown State, 1985, starter at linebacker
COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE
Pitt, 2015-present, Chris Bickell ’97 Head Football Coach
Michigan State, 2007-14, defensive coordinator, 2013-14, assistant head coach
Cincinnati, 2004-06, defensive coordinator
Miami (Ohio), 2003, defensive coordinator
Northern Illinois, 2000-02, linebackers
Rhode Island, 1993-97, linebackers; 1998-99, defensive coordinator
Miami (Ohio), 1990-91, graduate assistant; 1992, wide receivers
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Pitt)
2022, Defensive End Deslin Alexandre (Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year; Coach Wooden Citizen Cup)
2021, Wide Receiver Jordan Addison (Biletnikoff Award)
2021, Quarterback Kenny Pickett (Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award)
2021, Long Snapper Cal Adomitis (Patrick Mannelly Award)
NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Michigan State)
2013, Cornerback Darqueze Dennard (Jim Thorpe Award)
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Pitt)
2024, Linebacker Kyle Louis
2022, Defensive Tackle Calijah Kancey (Unanimous)
2022, All-Purpose Israel Abanikanda
2021, Wide Receiver Jordan Addison (Consensus)
2021, Quarterback Kenny Pickett
2021, Long Snapper Cal Adomitis
2020, Defensive End Patrick Jones II (Consensus)
2020, Defensive End Rashad Weaver (Consensus)
2016, Returner Quadree Henderson (Consensus)
2016, Guard Dorian Johnson
FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Michigan State)
2014, Safety Kurtis Drummond
2013, Cornerback Darqueze Dennard (Unanimous)
2011, Defensive Tackle Jerel Worthy (Consensus)
2010, Linebacker Greg Jones (Unanimous)
2009, Linebacker Greg Jones (Consensus)
ACC AWARD WINNERS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Pitt)
2022, Defensive Tackle Calijah Kancey - ACC Defensive Player of the Year
2021, Quarterback Kenny Pickett - ACC Overall and Offensive Player of the Year
2016, Running Back James Conner - Brian Piccolo Award
2015, Safety Jordan Whitehead - ACC Overall and Defensive Rookie of the Year (Media)
2015, Running Back Qadree Ollison - ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year (Media)
2015, Safety Jordan Whitehead and Running Back Qadree Ollison - ACC Co-Rookies of the Year (Coaches)
BIG TEN AWARD WINNERS UNDER NARDUZZI (at Michigan State)
2014, Safety Kurtis Drummond - Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year
2013, Cornerback Darqueze Dennard - Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year
2013, Defensive End Shilique Calhoun - Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
2009, Linebacker Greg Jones - Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
BOWL GAMES COACHED
GameAbove Sports Bowl, 2024, Pitt vs. Toledo
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, 2022, Pitt vs. UCLA
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, 2021, Pitt vs. Michigan State
Quick Lane Bowl, 2019, Pitt vs. Eastern Michigan
Sun Bowl, 2018, Pitt vs. Stanford
Pinstripe Bowl, 2016, Pitt vs. Northwestern
Military Bowl, 2015, Pitt vs. Navy
Cotton Bowl, 2015, Michigan State vs. Baylor
Rose Bowl, 2014, Michigan State vs. Stanford
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2013, Michigan State vs. TCU
Outback Bowl, 2012, Michigan State vs. Georgia
Capital One Bowl, 2011, Michigan State vs. Alabama
Alamo Bowl, 2010, Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
Capital One Bowl, 2009, Michigan State vs. Georgia
Champs Sports Bowl, 2007, Michigan State vs. Boston College
Fort Worth Bowl, 2004, Cincinnati vs. Marshall
GMAC Bowl, 2003, Cincinnati vs. Louisville
