After a historic season at Pittsburgh that culminated in the Panthers’ first conference title in over a decade, head coach Pat Narduzzi is getting rewarded in a big way.
On Monday, Pitt announced that Narduzzi is receiving a contract extension that will run through 2030. In a statement, Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke praised Narduzzi for building up the program and looks forward to sustained success.
“Our ACC championship season was the result of a strong culture and foundation that Pat Narduzzi has tirelessly built for Pitt football,” Lyke said. “That foundation has our program positioned for sustained success well into the future. Continuity of leadership, especially outstanding leadership like Coach Narduzzi and his staff have provided, has been integral to our program’s rise. We know that we are poised for even more history-making moments in the years to come with Coach Narduzzi on our sideline.”
Pitt fans were excited for the announcement as well. Even some of Narduzzi’s previous detractors expressed a willingness to eat crow in the face of his recent success:
Well deserved! Let me hold something @CoachDuzzPittFB 💰👀 https://t.co/Tb3QGTor6Q
— Tiquan Underwood (@TiUnderwood) March 28, 2022
I’ve long been harsh on Narduzzi and frankly wanted him gone on a few occasions. But one thing that is important is program continuity and his ability to consistently recruit gems that turn into good pros. His 2022 season could really have this program headed in a great direction https://t.co/kd9Y3DREW9
— Michael LaRocka (@MikeLaRocka) March 28, 2022
Congratulations coach! H2P! https://t.co/yNWy2Bc48k
— Kevin Legs (@Klegs412) March 28, 2022
Lets go!!! Much deserved! Especially after bringing Pitt it’s first ACC championship!! https://t.co/GrkfAuaNco
— Joey DiPiazza (@AllDayDiPiazza) March 28, 2022
Pat Narduzzi was hired in 2015 following 25 years of assistant head coaching, mostly in the Group of Five. He quickly earned his keep with back-to-back 8-5 seasons. By 2018, Narduzzi had Pitt in the ACC Championship Game for the first time.
This past year was one of the best in Pitt history though. His Panthers went 10-2 in the regular season before beating Wake Forest in the ACC Championship Game.
Pitt went on to lose to Michigan State in the Peach Bowl, but finished No. 13 in the nation – their highest finish since the 1980s.
Do you approve of Pat Narduzzi getting that big contract extension?