Pat Narduzzi officially introduced as Pitt head coach
Three days after it was reported that Pitt was close to a deal with its next head coach, the school made the hire official.
Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi was introduced as the Panthers’ head coach at a press conference on Friday afternoon. Narduzzi, who has been the defensive coordinator for the Spartans since 2007, takes over for Paul Chryst, who left to be the head coach at Wisconsin last week.
Narduzzi has produced a top 10 defense nationally with Michigan State over the last four seasons, including a Spartans team that was No. 7 in the country this season in total defense. Additionally, Narduzzi was the winner of the 2013 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.
“Our goal was not only to find the best football coach but also a person who would uphold the values and mission of the University of Pittsburgh. In Pat Narduzzi we have found that person,” said Dr. Randy Juhl, Pitt’s acting athletic director.
“His achievements on the football field are well documented. Pat is widely regarded as a rising star in the coaching profession who is ready to lead his own program. It was obvious from our conversations that he also embraces the responsibilities he has beyond the game. Pat wants to impact the lives of his student-athletes long after their Pitt careers end. We are excited about what our young men can accomplish, on and off the field, under his watch.”
Narduzzi has been an assistant under Mark Dantonio for the past 11 seasons. From 2004-06, he was the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati before Dantonio accepted the head-coaching gig at Michigan State.
Additionally, Narduzzi had stints as a defensive assistant at Miami (Ohio), Rhode Island and Northern Illinois.
Before beginning his first job as a head coach at any level, Narduzzi will coach the Michigan State defense for one last time when the Spartans take on Baylor in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“I am very honored to be the new head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh,” Narduzzi said. “I want to thank Chancellor Gallagher, Executive Vice Chancellor Jerry Cochran, Dr. Randy Juhl and Donna Sanft for providing me with this tremendous opportunity. It is an honor to join a program with such great history and tradition.
"I am very eager to begin working with the young men who are already in the program and meet people throughout the Pitt community. We are going to work very hard on the field, in the classroom and in the community to make the University of Pittsburgh proud.”
According to Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde, the 48-year-old Narduzzi also interviewed for the Colorado State job, but was “more interested” in the opening at Pitt.
Narduzzi is now Pitt’s fifth head coach since 2010, following Dave Wannstedt, Mike Haywood, Todd Graham and Chryst.
Under Chryst, the Panthers went 6-6 this season and will play Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 2.
For more Pittsburgh news, visit Panther-lair.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
