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Mark Whipple still fond of UMass, but stays focused on improving Pitt's offense

Jerry DiPaola
| Tuesday, August 31, 2021 5:07 p.m.
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and quarterback Kenny Pickett are entering their third season together.

Mark Whipple spent some of the best years of his life at the University of Massachusetts.

He twice was hired as the Minutemen’s head coach, spent a total of 11 years there and won a national championship in 1998. He was fired after the 2018 season — after he was suspended for an insensitive remark earlier in the year — but he speaks highly of the university.

“It’s a great place, great school,” Whipple said. “My son (Austin) graduated from there (and was assistant director of football operations in 2018).”

Whipple’s other son, Spencer, played quarterback there in 2008 and was an assistant coach under his dad from 2014-18.

“I spent 11 years there, had a lot of good times,” Mark Whipple said. “Miss Longmeadow Country Club. A lot of really good people.”

UMass as Pitt’s opening day opponent Saturday at Heinz Field means no more to him than the previous two (Virginia and Austin Peay) during his three seasons as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator.

Most of the players he recruited to UMass are gone, and he has been around the game — college and pro — long enough to know holding grudges serves no purpose. He has more important pursuits, starting with helping quarterback Kenny Pickett get the Pitt offense back on track this season.

Coach Pat Narduzzi said Whipple hasn’t mentioned UMass, other than football-related matters.

“I think that’s (way in the past),” Narduzzi said. “He’s not going to be the type of guy (to say), ‘Oh, can’t wait to play them.’

“It’s probably like me playing Youngstown State (where Narduzzi started his playing career and his father, Bill, was fired as head coach). One of those same things that you can never let your emotions get ahold of you. Obviously, we all know, in every profession, it’s natural, it’s human that you want to go do that. But you know, the emotions won’t get into the game.”

Like most coaches whose teams are 0-0, Whipple has high hopes for the Pitt offense. Pickett and many of those around him have grown up under Whipple.

It starts with Pickett, who (by all accounts) made significant strides during training camp. Narduzzi was quick to point out Pickett’s improvement has little to do with a stronger throwing arm or quicker feet.

Whipple explained it’s all in Pickett’s head and what he sees when he drops back to pass.

“In the pass game, you have your No. 1, your No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 (options),” Whipple said. “He’s been able to get to 3 and 4 quicker. And that’s the whole thing with the quarterback situation in an NFL system. It takes some time to process it and see the defense. The ball’s coming out of his hand a lot quicker. He’s had a really good camp, refining all the things we’re trying to do. Been a leader. We’ve had a lot of fun.”

Whipple also sees a more physical and seasoned offensive line. Because of covid-19 absences, Pitt was forced to use several younger players on the line last season.

“You don’t want to say covid was a plus,” Whipple said, “but in a sense it was because we had a lot of guys had game reps. Those guys played in ACC games. Our guys understand the offense better, and that gives them a chance to teach when there are mistakes within the group.”

The run game suffered at times last season, but Whipple is focused on the last four games when Pitt averaged 158.2 yards – even when the 16-yard effort at Clemson is factored into the equation.

“The line’s better,” Whipple said. “Talking with the guys on defense, we’re a little more physical than we’ve been in the past.”

Whipple also likes the depth at wide receiver.

“I think we have more receivers than teams have corners,” he said. “If we can keep our guys fast and guys aren’t loafing, which they haven’t ever done here, it comes down to the fourth quarter (where) you are going to have to win a lot of games in the ACC. Hopefully, that will help us down the road.”

Perhaps the biggest difference will occur at tight end if Lucas Krull can stay healthy. He missed most of last season with a knee injury. Several other tight ends also were out, throwing another road block in front of the run game.

“We put a lot of stuff in last year for (Krull) exclusively, and all of a sudden he got hurt,” Whipple said. “He’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing where he becomes No. 1 in some of these concepts, stuff the Patriots have done with (Rob Gronkowski) and we did next door (when he was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback coach) with Heath Miller.”

One aspect of the offense that won’t change is the quarterback coming to the sideline to get a call and perhaps a quick reminder from Whipple — unless the NCAA decides to put headsets in quarterbacks’ helmets like the NFL does.

“That’s just the way we do it,” Whipple said, “because I give him tips, certain things to look at.

“To me, (no headsets) is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. Why wouldn’t you? It only helps the game. The Pac-12’s already talked about doing it. You don’t have to worry about cheating or stealing stuff. The communication’s better. The noise problem isn’t as much. But I don’t know if I’ll be coaching when that comes around.”


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