Pitt early enrollees adjust to new coaches, share impressions of Kade Bell's offense

What do Pitt freshmen Julian Dugger, Cameron Monteiro, Juelz Goff and Moritz Schmoranzer have in common?

Certainly not position or place of origin.

But for starters, all of them are early enrollees currently in their first semester at Pitt.

So to varying degrees — for example, Dugger is a Penn Hills alum whose home is a stone’s throw from campus, whereas Schmoranzer is from Langenfeld, Germany — all four players are adjusting to college life.

Something notable they share is feeling the effects of the recent coaching changes at Pitt.

For Dugger, a quarterback and former WPIAL star, that means getting to work with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell, who replaced Frank Cignetti Jr.

Goff, Central York’s all-time leading rusher, is coached by Lindsey Lamar following the departure of Andre Powell.

As for Monteiro, a wide receiver from the Boston suburbs, he is currently without a position coach, with Tiquan Underwood having accepted a gig with the New England Patriots and coach Pat Narduzzi yet to name a replacement.

Lastly, Schmoranzer also finds himself working with a first-year coach at Pitt in Jeremy Darveau, who replaced Dave Borbely in charge of the offensive line.

The coaching staff changes at Pitt have required an adjustment for players, but the Panthers’ additions are embracing it.

“It’s a little difficult, but I know coach (Narduzzi) is getting the right guys,” Monteiro said.

Added Schmoranzer: “Of course it’s sad that they had to leave, but me and coach Darveau have a pretty good relationship already. I’m asking a lot of questions, and he can answer them. I like him.”

Assistance also has come from Pitt’s upperclassmen, returning players and extended support staff.

“Everything has been smooth so far due to the help of all the coaching staff and everybody helping us — academic advisors, counselors,” Dugger said. “Everybody’s helping me have a smooth transition and making it easy.”

The extent to which Bell’s offense has been implemented at Pitt is hard to say, but given he’s been on campus about a month, chances are it’s not far along.

Spring ball will constitute a more fitting time to begin working that out.

However, as Pitt’s players — newbies and veterans alike — study their playbooks, impressions are starting to be formed as to Bell’s style.

“It’s definitely fast. Explosive, big-time plays — a lot of playmakers here, and he gets his guys the ball,” Monteiro said. “If you can make a play, he’s going to get you the ball. It’s big plays, like one-play touchdowns. So definitely fast-paced.”

Dugger, who enters the competition at quarterback, even with Bell having declared the starter’s gig to be junior Nate Yarnell’s “to lose,” likes what he sees so far.

During his senior campaign at Penn Hills, Dugger showcased his versatility by throwing for 1,646 yards and rushing for another 776.

“I feel like it’s a great system,” he said. “It’s fast, and I feel like it’s great for stretching the defense out and can work to some of my strengths throwing the ball and using my athletic ability.”

Additionally, in an interesting coincidence, Dugger, like his new coordinator, is left-handed. Bell was a four-year collegiate starter at Jacksonville from 2011-15, during which time he threw for 9,613 total yards and 93 touchdowns.

Goff joins a Pitt tailbacks room that features returners Rodney Hammond Jr. and Daniel Carter.

Where he’ll land on the depth chart remains to be seen, but Goff certainly brings some pedigree as a high school standout, having set a Central York all-time rushing record (3,761) as a senior that had stood since 1975.

Like Monteiro and Dugger, Goff’s early impressions of the offense centered on its speed.

“The pace of everything — it’s so fast and unique,” he said.

Pitt will play its annual Blue-Gold Spring Game on April 13, which will serve as the 15th and final spring practice the team will conduct, per NCAA regulations.