Frank Cignetti Jr.
Hometown:
Pittsburgh, PA
Position:
Offensive Coordinator
Birthdate:
10/04/1965
Alma Mater:
Indiana University of Pennsylvania '88
Pittsburgh native Frank Cignetti, whose coaching resume includes two decades of experience on both the collegiate and NFL levels, enters his second year as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Pitt.
Cignetti's impact at Pitt was immediate last year. The Panthers boasted one of their most potent offenses in recent memory, averaging 32.1 points per game -- one of the top five scoring averages in school history. Pitt's offensive arsenal included a 1,700-yard rusher in Dion Lewis and 1,000-yard receiver in Jon Baldwin. Moreover, quarterback Bill Stull ranked among the nation's most efficient passers, throwing for more than 2,600 yards and 21 touchdowns.
In total, seven of Pitt's offensive players were named All-Big East, including Lewis, who was honored as the league's Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Cignetti joined Wannstedt's staff after spending the 2008 season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of California. The Bears averaged nearly 33 points per game en route to a 9-4 record and victory over Miami (Fla.) in the Emerald Bowl. In 2007 Cignetti was the San Francisco 49ers' quarterbacks coach.
His Pitt appointment marked a return to the place where he landed his first coaching position as a Panthers graduate assistant in 1989.
Cignetti's family has deep ties to Pitt and Western Pennsylvania football. His father, Frank Sr., was a Pitt assistant from 1966-68 and later the head coach at both West Virginia (1976-79) and Indiana University of Pa. (1986-2005). His brother Curt was also a Pitt assistant (1983-84 and 1993-99) who is now at Alabama.
Prior to his 49ers post, Cignetti was the offensive coordinator at North Carolina (2006) and Fresno State (2002-05). In 2004 Fresno State averaged 52.8 points over its final six games and became just the sixth team in NCAA history to score 50 or more points in four consecutive contests.
The Bulldogs twice finished among the nation's top 10 in scoring and third-down conversions during Cignetti's tenure. They were also a perennial postseason team, advancing to four consecutive bowls, including victories over Georgia Tech (2002, Silicon Valley), UCLA (2003, Silicon Valley) and Virginia (2004, MPC Computers).
From 2000-01, Cignetti served as quarterbacks coach with the New Orleans Saints, where he helped Jeff Blake to a career-best passer rating and also helped Aaron Brooks produce some of the best statistics of his career en route to a Pro Bowl alternate selection. Cignetti landed his first NFL appointment in 1999 as a quality control assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs.
From 1990-98, Cignetti was on his father's staff at IUP, where he was an all-conference safety before earning his bachelor's degree in 1988. He served IUP as receivers, secondary and quarterbacks coach before elevating to offensive coordinator for his final two seasons. During his tenure, IUP twice advanced to the NCAA Division II national title game and earned a berth in the semifinals four times.
Cignetti additionally has served on the coaching staffs for the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine all-star games.
Personal Information
Born: 10/4/65
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Alma Mater: Indiana University of Pa., `88
Family: Cignetti's wife's name is Ellen. They have three daughters: Alyssa (9), Gabrielle (7) and Ella (4).
http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cignettijr_frank00.html
