Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi discusses CFP, rivalry with WVU, coaching in today’s college athletics
Pat Narduzzi is far from alone among his college football coaching peers in stressing that his No. 1 priority at work every day is to, as his job title suggests, coach. But the times have changed rapidly as a result of a highly fluid college athletics landscape that’s seen players...
Pat Narduzzi, Pitt players set high expectations for 2025 after disappointing finish last year
Pitt’s 2024 campaign was one few Panthers fans will likely forget because of its extreme peaks and valleys. After compiling a 7-0 record through the end of October — the best start in program history since 1982 — five straight losses followed to conclude the regular season. Then came the...
ACC commissioner Jim Phillips touts stability, strength of league in challenging college athletics atmosphere
It’s a tumultuous time to be in a college sports leadership position. That’s largely the result of seismic alterations to the student-athlete experience centered around NIL, following lengthy discussion and legal jousting. ACC commissioner Jim Phillips, like his peers at the helm of the other three power conferences, has had...
One of Australia’s top young basketball players headed to Pitt
One of Australia’s finest young basketball players is headed to Pitt. Roman Siulepa, a 6-foot-7 forward who just turned 19, has committed to the Panthers, according to a report by ESPN and a statement from his pro team in Australia, confirming a piece of long-rumored news. Siulepa, a physical forward...
Jimmy Joe Robinson, Pitt’s 1st Black varsity football player, dies at 97
Jimmy Joe Robinson, the first Black varsity football player at Pitt, died Monday at the age of 97, the university announced Wednesday afternoon. Robinson was born in Connellsville and debuted with the Panthers in 1945, when Pitt finished 3-7 under coach Clark Shaughnessy. He lettered at Pitt for two additional...
Pair of Pitt Panthers picked by Padres on 2nd day of MLB Draft
A pair of Pitt baseball players were chosen by the San Diego Padres on the second day of the MLB Draft on Monday. Left-handed pitcher Ryan Reed was selected in the 15th round (460th overall) and first baseman Luke Cantwell went in the 20th round (610th overall) Reed went 5-4...
Tim Benz: If the NCAA still wants to expand March Madness, at least fix one flaw along the way
It appears that the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournaments will not expand. For now. Thankfully. Although it does seem like just a matter of time before that happens. “The still viable outcomes include the tournaments remaining at 68 teams or expanding the fields to either 72 or 76 teams in...
Winding college career brings ‘Big’ John Hugley IV back to the ‘Burgh
A mountain of a man with an adoring smile emerged Tuesday from the summer basketball workout at Duquesne’s UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse and cheerfully greeted a curious onlooker. “Can I call you ‘Big John?’ ” the visitor inquired. To which John Hugley IV responded: “Sure can.” Wait, are we talking about...
First Call: Skepticism over T.J. Watt yielding a 1st-round pick in a trade; Larry Fitzgerald’s son chooses college
We wrap up an extended holiday weekend with Monday’s “First Call.” It features a schism between T.J. Watt’s trade value and his contract demands. A former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver is trying to find a way back into the NFL. A renowned Pitt alum has a son who will be attending...
Pitt men’s basketball to host Providence in exhibition game
Pitt fans missing the old Big East Conference can enjoy a battle with a formal men’s basketball rival this fall. The Panthers will host Providence in an exhibition game to open the season Oct. 19 at Petersen Events Center. Tip-off time is still to be determined. Pitt will make a...
Pitt, Penn State players selected for Walter Camp Preseason All-America teams
The Walter Camp Football Foundation released its preseason All-America teams Tuesday. Penn State’s Nick Singleton, Zane Durant and Olaivavega Ioane, along with Pitt’s Kyle Louis, were selected. Singleton earned first-team offense honors at running back, while Durant made first-team defense as a defensive lineman. Louis joined Durant on first-team defense...
First Call: Football camp walks back criticism of George Pickens; Tyler Boyd discusses prospect of joining SteelersVideo
There is an odd twist in the story about former Steeler George Pickens bailing on that youth football camp. Pitt product Tyler Boyd discusses the prospect of playing with the Steelers. The Mets are getting ripped for how they played this weekend in Pittsburgh. And there are some local connections...
Olivia Babcock becomes 1st Pitt female athlete nominated for ESPY Award
Olivia Babcock became the first female athlete in Pitt history to receive an ESPY nomination, the school announced Thursday. A decorated member of the Panthers’ NCAA semifinalist women’s volleyball team, Babcock is an ESPY nominee for best college athlete in women’s sports. She joins Southern Cal basketball star JuJu Watkins,...
Oregon State transfer Damarco Minor answers Pitt’s help-wanted call at point guard
The Pitt men’s basketball team needed a point guard after All-ACC third-teamer Jaland Lowe’s transfer to Kentucky. Damarco Minor was happy to answer the call. A call in April, that is, from Pitt coach Jeff Capel that quickly convinced Minor to transfer in from Oregon State. “I’ve been in this...
3-star defensive lineman Logan Nagle commits to Pitt
Pitt football continues to add players to its 2026 recruiting class, and on Wednesday the Panthers picked up another piece in the trenches. Three-star defensive lineman Logan Nagle made a verbal commitment to Pitt on Instagram. The Wayne, N.J. native is entering his senior year at DePaul Catholic. Nagle chose...
First Call: Steelers reportedly ‘checked in’ on Jalen Ramsey; Diontae Johnson thinks Kenny Pickett will start for BrownsVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Adam Schefter’s update on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ level of interest in Jalen Ramsey. An ex-Steeler thinks Kenny Pickett is going to win the Browns starting QB job. We examine some struggling Pirates. We also advance a highlight moment for the Penn State women’s hockey program. Ramsey...
Sorting out the media fumble of Gov. Shapiro’s quotes on publicly funded NFL stadiums in Pa.
The media kerfuffle over what Gov. Josh Shapiro said — or didn’t say — about public funding for football stadiums in Pennsylvania is just the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a hair-pulling, mind-numbing process until the Steelers and Eagles work out their new leases. That’s whether they play in...
Lithuanian guard joins Pitt basketball with chip on shoulder after transfer from Iowa State
For Nojus Indrusaitis, it’s a chance to become a star player on a team that desperately needs some. For Pitt basketball and coach Jeff Capel, it is the hope that the players who have been brought in can change the narrative. “I get a vibe of everyone having a chip...
Pitt’s Kyle Louis, Desmond Reid earn 1st-team All-America preseason honors
Eight members of the Pitt football team earned preseason recognition Thursday, including two who garnered spots on Phil Steele’s annual preseason All-America first team. Linebacker Kyle Louis and running back Desmond Reid were honored by Steele, who is one of the most respected voices in college football preview analysis. Both...
Pitt adds commitment from Florida WR Bryan Hamilton
Pitt’s Class of 2026 verbal commitment list grew Thursday morning with the addition of Tampa, Fla., wide receiver Bryan Hamilton. Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Hamilton chose the Panthers from over 25 other scholarship offers, including Arizona, Kansas State, Maryland and Wisconsin. A 5-foot-11, 165-pound recruit out of...
Excitement builds for Pitt’s Lola Abraham as return from torn ACL draws nearer
Lola Abraham is amped up for the start of the Pitt women’s soccer team’s fall season. “We’re going to have a newer, younger team,” the Panthers sophomore forward and Riverview graduate said. “All of the coaches and returning players are super excited. We have a lot of potential with how...
Pitt football announces 19 newcomers, including 2 WPIAL walk-ons
With the season opener 75 days away, Pitt announced 19 additions to the football roster Monday. The list includes seven freshman from the early signing period in December, three specialists plus Latrobe defensive back John Wetzel — who committed this year — three transfers and five freshman walk-ons. Two WPIAL...
4-star offensive lineman from Texas commits to Pitt
Pitt nabbed its first four-star recruit in the Class of 2026 on Sunday when offensive lineman Day’Jon Moore committed to coach Pat Narduzzi. A 6-foot-3, 305-pound interior lineman at Willis High School in Texas, Moore is Pitt’s 17th commit in the Class of 2026. He announced his commitment on Instagram...
3-star quarterback from Texas commits to Pitt
Pitt added a second quarterback to its 2026 recruiting class Saturday as Corey Dailey announced a verbal commitment on X. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound three-star recruit from Seguin High School in Texas chose the Panthers over offers from Fordham, Tulane and UTSA, among others. Dailey was the District 13-5A offensive MVP...
On Sports: A less controversial Pitt-Steelers news crossover; Penguins Cup-iversaryVideo
In Friday’s “On Sports,” Pitt and the Steelers shared a headline far less controversial than last time, when Beanie Bishop had Panthers and West Virginia fans (with the Steelers caught in between) at each other’s throats. Additionally, the Penguins passed the anniversary date of two of their Stanley Cup titles....
