Source: Panthers target Pat Narduzzi

[den-the-coach]

Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has emerged as a focus of Pittsburgh's head coaching search, according to a source.

Narduzzi views Pittsburgh as a destination position, which is critical to the school after having been through massive turnover in recent years.

Narduzzi's prominent candidacy for the Panthers' head coaching position was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.

The 48-year-old Narduzzi has coached some of the nation's most productive, physical, blue-collar defenses in the nation under Mark Dantonio.

Narduzzi had a shared interest with Colorado State but he viewed the Pitt position as a more ideal fit.

Pitt is attempting to replace Paul Chryst, who left for the Wisconsin job earlier this month.

http://espn.go.com/college-football...i-focus-pittsburgh-panthers-search-head-coach

 

[den-the-coach]

IMO this is a great hire and I believe that Narduzzi will make Pitt relevant again. He's a great recruiter in that part of the area and IMO he fits the mold of Pittsburgh better than the past two Coaches in Todd Graham and Paul Chryst.

Now some will debate that Pitt is setting themselves up for Narduzzi in a few years going back to Michigan State, however, that is always the case for Head Coaches at the collegiate ranks and I would rather have a coach in demand than the alternative.

Great fit and Pitt will be a program on the rise IMO and now being in one of the Power 5 conferences is a sleeping giant that we be awoken by Narduzzi!

 

[den-the-coach]

Michigan State DC Pat Narduzzi to be new Pittsburgh head coach
Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will be the next head coach at Pitt, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The deal has yet to be finalized and is not expected not be announced until after Christmas. Barring any eleventh-hour breakdown, Narduzzi will be announced following the Christmas holiday.

Narduzzi is considered the top defensive coordinator in the country, and he received the 2013 Frank Broyles award for the nation’s top assistant coach. He has led the Spartans to a top 10 finish in the NCAA’s total defense statistics for each of the past four years.

Narduzzi topped a field that included Marshall head coach Doc Holliday, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell and Pittsburgh assistant Joe Rudolph. Narduzzi interviewed for the Colorado State job in Las Vegas on Sunday night but declined interest in order to pursue the position at Pitt. Yahoo Sports first reported that he was emerging as the leader at Pitt. He replaces Paul Chryst, who left to become Wisconsin’s head coach last week. Chryst’s departure led to the removal of athletic director Steve Pederson.

Narduzzi will be Pittsburgh’s fifth head coach since 2010, but the Panther’s move to the ACC in 2013 and Chryst’s three-year tenure have brought relative stability to the program recently. Chryst posted a 19-19 record, reaching a bowl game in all three years. The Panthers went 6-6 this season, including a 4-4 mark in ACC play, and will play Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 2.

Narduzzi will inherit a team rife with young talent, including All-America tailbackJames Conner, talented receiver Tyler Boyd and quarterback Chad Voytik, all of whom will be juniors next season.