When head trainer Rob Blanc walked into Pat Narduzzi’s office last week, Pitt’s coach thought someone was injured or ill. Actually, the news was almost that bad.

Blanc told Narduzzi he is retiring after 32 years, all of them as Pitt’s head football trainer. Blanc, 60, served eight football coaches.

Enjoy your retirement Rob Blanc!!! We will miss you pic.twitter.com/ejLf962X1T

— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) July 31, 2020

“I about fell out of my darn chair,” Narduzzi said. “The university made him a package he couldn’t pass up. I’m happy for him. Obviously sad for us that we’re going to miss somebody who has worked his tail off for years.”

When Blanc addressed the team Friday morning, players gave him a standing ovation.

“As he told our team today, `I missed a lot of birthdays,’ ” Narduzzi said. “That really hit me because my daughter’s birthday is Aug. 7 (the start of training camp). The last 26 years, I feel like I (cheated) her.”

Narduzzi said Dale Thornton, a trainer on Blanc’s staff, will take over as the interim head trainer.

“Dale is an excellent trainer, well qualified, and he’s going to have a great chance of being that next guy,” Narduzzi said. “Maybe he can be here for 30-some years as well.”

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