Pitt football seeks record number of wins for Pat Narduzzi's tenure

During the final days of the 2019 season, Pat Narduzzi has an opportunity to keep Pitt’s program on an upward trajectory.

At least in terms of victories, which is the ultimate measuring stick.

After winning six of its first nine games, Pitt has a chance over the final three games, plus an expected bowl invitation, to record its most victories in the coach’s five seasons.

Pitt won eight games each in 2015 and ’16, Narduzzi’s first two years as coach. Those were followed by five- and seven-victory seasons. The Panthers haven’t won more than eight since winning 10 in 2009 under Dave Wannstedt.

Next up for the Panthers after Thursday’s matchup with North Carolina is a game Nov. 23 against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., where they will be the guests on what will be an emotional day for the Hokies.

It will be longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s last game at Lane Stadium. Foster, 60, will retire at the end of the year after 33 seasons on the Hokies staff.

For the past several seasons, Foster has been what Narduzzi was at Michigan State before he accepted the Pitt job five years ago: one of the most respected and highly paid assistant coaches in college football. Foster, who will earn $975,000 this season, also is the longest continually tenured assistant at the same school.

Foster is the highest-paid football assistant at Virginia Tech and third overall at the school, behind only head football coach Justin Fuente ($3.5 million) and men’s basketball coach Mike Young ($2 million). Foster also is the third highest-paid assistant in the ACC, behind defensive coordinators Brent Venables of Clemson ($2.2 million) and Florida State’s Harlon Barnett ($1,005,000).

Foster’s defensive units have led the nation in several major statistical categories nine times and finished in the top five 44 times. Since 2000, Virginia Tech is second only to Alabama in shutouts (22). The Hokies also have gone to 26 consecutive bowl games, the longest active streak in the nation.

“I’m not sick. I’m not burned out. At least, I hope I’m not sick,” he said at his retirement announcement in August. “Nobody’s forcing me out. It’s just going to be time when it’s all said and done. Like I said, I’ve been given a great opportunity.

“I saw coach (Frank) Beamer kind of go down this road (when he retired in 2015). He knew it was time. This was not an easy decision.”

Foster is concluding his fourth year on Fuente’s staff.

Pitt has won seven of its past 10 games against Virginia Tech (2-2 under Narduzzi). The Panthers scored their most points against the Hokies last year in a 52-22 victory. With a team plagued by injuries, Foster had only six defensive starters available and was forced to start four freshmen as Pitt ran for 492 yards.

This season, Virginia Tech (6-3, 3-2) remains in contention for the ACC Coastal title with the nation’s 63rd-ranked defense.

Pitt will conclude the regular season Nov. 30 against Boston College at Heinz Field. Boston College (5-5, 3-4) leads the ACC in average rushing yards per game (282.2).

Running back A.J. Dillon has rushed for 4,148 career yards, 1,451 this season to lead the conference.

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