Pitt names Tim Daoust, formerly of East Carolina, as new defensive line coach

Pitt added a new member to its football coaching staff Wednesday, with coach Pat Narduzzi tapping Tim Daoust to oversee the defensive line.

Daoust joins the Panthers from East Carolina, where he coached the defensive line and outside linebackers in addition to coordinating special teams from 2021-23.

He replaces longtime assistant Charlie Partridge, who recently left Pitt after seven seasons to take an assistant coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts.

Welcome, @CoachDaoust ????

Pat Narduzzi officially names Tim Daoust as Pitt's new defensive line coach!

Details ✍️ https://t.co/QJEPeoj7r6#H2P » #WeNotMe pic.twitter.com/58wHEUfx4a

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) February 14, 2024

Daoust previously coached at Sam Houston State (2019-20), where he was assistant head coach, in addition to Western Michigan (2017-18), Ball State (2016) and Syracuse (2011-15).

Working as a graduate assistant at Northern Illinois (2002-03) and Cincinnati (2005) brought him into orbit with Narduzzi.

“Tim and I have known each other for years and he’s an incredibly impressive person and coach,” Narduzzi said in a news release. “He has coached everything on defense and is a tremendously effective teacher and evaluator. From a personal standpoint, he is a great family man and values developing relationships. I’m really excited about bringing him to Pitt, and I know our players and staff will really enjoy working with him.”

Daoust inherits a Pitt defensive line that ranked 27th nationally in 2023 with 2.58 sacks per game.

The Panthers’ total defense ranked 49th among 130 FBS programs with 361.6 yards surrendered per game but was moderately better against the pass (42nd, 211.4) than the run (66th, 150.2).

Daoust, the latest hire by Narduzzi in an offseason flush with changes, will work under coordinator Randy Bates, who enters his seventh season in charge of Pitt’s defense.

Defensive line was a priority for the Panthers this past recruiting cycle, with six linemen and edge players signed from the high school ranks, in addition to three transfers: edges David Ojiegbe (Clemson) and Nate Matlack (Kansas State) plus lineman Nick James (Indiana).

Additionally, Daoust will get to work with key returning players such as Nate Temple, Bam Brima and Dayon Hayes.

“My family and I are incredibly excited to join one of the most tradition-rich programs in all of college football,” Daoust said. “Pat has long been a mentor for me. I understand and embrace the responsibility of the position. I’m ready to get to work on bringing another championship to Pitt.”