I recently read an article about the sad state of Pitt panthers football. Some things the article suggested struck a nerve with me being as i am a life long panther.. To start is the theory of the piece was so truthful it hurt. Pitt has truly been treated as a stepping stone by most of its coaches in the past 20 years.
Pittsburgh needs Narduzzi to be its knight in shining armor so to speak. This program deserves a coach to say “Hey, im not here until a better job comes along! Im here until the job is done. I will abandon this school, this team, nor this town!” Pitt sadly does not have a true premiere coach in its rich history. There are many great coaches who have donned the blue and gold, yet none are Pitt’s version of a Bear Bryant or Bo Schembechler. Majors is the closest Pitt has to a signature coach and lets face it he is known just as much for his time with Tennessee as he is for his accolades accomplished while at Pittsburgh. Narduzzi could be that man for panthers football if he plays his cards right.
You would think a program that has won 9 national titles would have more of a rich history. Pitt has had many great players but not many coaches who have stayed for long stretches. No matter how successful Pat Narduzzi is at Pittsburgh if he leaves after 4-5 years it will likely not leave a lasting legacy for the program. On the flip side if Narduzzi where to say stay for a decade, win a few conference titles, beat some top opponents, and put Pitt back on the map so to speak he could be Pittsburgh’s very own Woody Hayes.
Not only would success and longevity solidify Narduzzi as a head coach, and seal his fate as the golden standard for Pitt football coaches to emulate. Narduzzi staying could give Pitt a solid foundation to build off of for a long time after he is gone. Pitt needs someone who will not leave who will stick it out through thick and thin. The program needs Narduzzi to be that man.
Success is what Pitt wants, stability is what Pitt needs. Coach duzz if able to obtain both could become a legend within the Steel City and within all of college football. Narduzzi has a foot to stand on so to speak hiring a solid and experienced staff.
The key to making Pitt football a dynasty and a force to be reckoned with is keeping continuity and stability within the football program he is building. Success is also vital to this gridiron formula. Pittsburgh must have both of the afore mentioned components to maintain a competitive and thriving program well into the future. Narduzzi has taken the first steps to achieving this goal, the key will be finishing the job!