Back to work with a new contract, Pitt's Pat Narduzzi demands consistent effort

The ink was barely dry on Pat Narduzzi’s new nine-year contract Tuesday when he decided to blame himself for his players’ subpar effort at Pitt’s 10th practice of the spring.

“I wasn’t as excited about it, compared to what we did Saturday (in a scrimmage, won by the defense),” he said. “We’ll check the tape out. Maybe I’m dead wrong. Good day, not a great day.”

Narduzzi allowed the players to wear shells Tuesday — possibly lessening the practice’s intensity — in an attempt to prevent injuries.

“Every day you worry. That’s why I went to shells. Maybe it’s my fault,” he said. “Kids were flying around on Saturday. I want to make sure we make it through (healthy).”

Narduzzi worries a lot these days. He carries a bullhorn to make sure the defense doesn’t get carried away while rushing the quarterbacks.

Pat Narduzzi, commenting on his new contract and the program’s stability pic.twitter.com/UPJtg2zXQW

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) March 29, 2022

For the first time, he’s coach of the defending ACC champion, hoping to find a capable replacement for Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett and some depth at linebacker while attempting to meet the expectations that accompany his new contractual status and the ACC championship trophy. The tone of spring drills, both from Narduzzi and his players, is trying to avoid a one-and-done title.

What he seems unquestionably sure of are his feelings for Pitt and his desire to make it a destination job.

“It starts with the leadership,” he said. “We all better be going in the same direction. That’s why Chancellor (Patrick) Gallagher hired me. He wanted somebody who’s going to stay here and work at it and have a passion to do what we do here, coach and develop a program.

“That’s kind of what we’ve done. It’s a step-by-step (process), doing it the right way with integrity. It says a lot about this place. It’s a destination job. It is. It’s only a destination for someone who’s from this area, who loves this area, who has a passion about Pittsburgh.

“It might not be a destination job for somebody else who’s maybe not from this area. That’s the key. This is a great job. I love Pitt. I love these kids.”

Noting how coaches often hop from job to job, Narduzzi said he was confronted Saturday with an important question from parents of visiting prospects: “Are you going to be here?”

“It’s important to families as far as knowing who’s going to coach them,” he said.

Narduzzi also was pleased with how Pitt stepped up for his assistants, hoping to maintain continuity when players meet with their position coaches.

“(Athletic director) Heather (Lyke) and the chancellor really made a commitment. Probably our first significant raise for our assistants since I’ve been here. That’s important to me,” he said.

Several players on defense made him smile Saturday, but it’s the kind of effort he demands every day.

He said money linebacker Bangally Kamara was “out of his mind” Saturday.

“He went hard on Saturday. Saturday he was all over the place. Shut it down (Tuesday).”

Narduzzi said cornerback A.J. Woods, who returned an interception 73 yards in the conference title game, is “playing at a high level.”

He also likes the possibility of redshirt freshman Khalil Anderson improving enough to provide depth at safety behind Brandon Hill and Erick Hallett.

Another recurring theme this spring has been the return of the running game. Without Pickett, offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., a proponent of the ground game (anyway), might look to gain yards by having the run set up the pass.

“(Offensive line coach Dave) Borbely said he hadn’t really seen our offense run the ball against our defense since he’s been here,” Narduzzi said. “Three, four yards, pounding it.”