Football
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator
- Season at Pitt:
- Seventh
Under the coordination of Randy Bates, Pitt annually fields one of the nation’s most aggressive and productive defenses.
The Panthers' trademarks have been a swarming pass rush and smothering run defense.
Over the past six seasons (2019-24), Pitt has collected a combined 270.5 quarterback sacks, the highest total in the nation.
During that same span, the Panthers have finished in the nation’s top 12 in rushing defense four times. Pitt fielded the ACC’s top rushing defense four consecutive seasons from 2019-22.
Bates’ ball-hawking defense has also produced points on the scoreboard. Over the past four seasons (2021-24), the Panthers scored an ACC-best 16 defensive touchdowns, second nationally to only Ohio State (17).
During Bates' Pitt tenure, four defensive players have earned consensus All-America recognition, including linebacker Kyle Louis in 2024. Louis became the first sophomore defensive player at Pitt to earn First Team All-America since the legendary Hugh Green in 1978. He totaled 105 tackles, four interceptions, a forced fumble, 15.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 27 pressures and nine QB hurries—a stat line that has only been recorded one other time in college football over the last decade.
In 2022, tackle Calijah Kancey was a unanimous All-American and additionally was selected the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Kancey led the nation’s interior defenders with 14.5 tackles for loss. He was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2020, the Panthers boasted college football’s top defensive end duo in Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver. Both players were consensus All-Americans—the first time since 1977 that Pitt had two defensive players earn consensus status in the same season.
Additional Pitt defenders who earned national accolades under Bates include safety Erick Hallett II, a Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) second team All-American in 2022, and tackle Jaylen Twyman, a second-team All-America pick by six different selectors in 2019.
Bates has also received prestigious recognition. 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.
Bates arrived in Pittsburgh in 2018 after spending the prior 12 seasons (2006-17) coaching linebackers at Northwestern. His accomplished pupils included back-to-back All-America linebackers. Anthony Walker Jr., now a member of the Miami Dolphins, was a consensus All-Big Ten selection who earned All-America accolades from Associated Press and Sports Illustrated. Additionally, Bates oversaw the development of Paddy Fisher, a 2017 FWAA Freshman All-American and the Big Ten Network’s Defensive Freshman of the Year.
Prior to Northwestern, Bates spent six seasons at Louisiana Tech (2000-05). He coached nearly every defensive positional group while with the Bulldogs before ascending to defensive coordinator for his final season.
Under Bates' orchestration in 2005, the Louisiana Tech defense forced a whopping 31 turnovers to lead the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and rank ninth nationally. The Bulldogs surrendered their fewest points since 1994 and finished among the WAC's top three teams in rushing defense, pass defense, total defense and scoring defense.
Among the standouts under Bates at Louisiana Tech were three defensive backs who played in the NFL: safety Bobby Gray (Chicago Bears), cornerback Jerron Wishom (Green Bay Packers) and cornerback Tramon Williams, who as a member of the Packers won a Super Bowl and earned a Pro Bowl invitation.
Before Louisiana Tech, Bates was the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator at Kent State for two seasons (1998-99). While with the Golden Flashes, he coached future NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison.
Bates coached the linebackers at New Hampshire from 1992-97, mentoring three players who finished among the top 10 career tacklers in program history. The Wildcats claimed three Yankee Conference Northern Division titles during his tenure.
Bates’ additional coaching stops include Navy (1989-91), St. Joseph's (Ind.) College (1984-88), Miami (Ohio) (1983) and Muskingum College (1982).
A retired Naval Lieutenant, Bates received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Ohio State in 1983. He also earned a master's degree in education from Miami University in 1985.
Bates and his wife, Tracey, have three daughters: Samantha, Alexandra and Olivia.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: New Concord, Ohio
Alma Mater: Ohio State, 1983
Family: Bates and his wife, Tracey, have three daughters: Samantha, Alexandra and Olivia.
COLLEGE COACHING EXPERIENCE
Pitt, 2018-present, defensive coordinator.
Northwestern, 2006-17, linebackers.
Louisiana Tech, 2000-02, secondary; 2003, linebackers; 2004-05, secondary; 2005, defensive coordinator.
Kent State, 1998-99, linebackers and recruiting coordinator.
New Hampshire, 1992-97, linebackers.
Navy, 1989-91, linebackers and defensive backs.
St. Joseph's (Ind.), 1984-88, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Miami (Ohio), 1983, graduate assistant.
Muskingum, 1982, offensive line.
