Pitt special teams/tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski departing for job at Auburn

As Pat Narduzzi gears the Panthers up to play in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27, he will now have two specific areas of his coaching operation in need of oversight.

A source confirmed that Jacob Bronowski, who coaches the Panthers’ tight ends and special teams, is leaving for a position at Auburn.

Bronowski was in his second season as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for Pitt, having joined the program from Miami (Ohio), where he spent 2022-23.

Bronowski, a special teams coach for the majority of his career, previously oversaw those units and tight ends for Robert Morris from 2018-19.

Now Bronowski is set to reunite with new Auburn coach Alex Golesh, with whom he worked at Tennessee in 2021.

Special teams was largely a strength for the Panthers under Bronowski.

Last year, Ben Sauls hit 21 of 24 (87.5%) of his field goals, while this fall, true freshman Trey Butkowski converted 19 of 22 (86%).

On punt returns, Desmond Reid scored touchdowns in 2024 and 2025, including an 88-yarder on his first return of the season Aug. 30 against Duquesne.

When Reid was replaced by Kenny Johnson due to injury, Johnson responded and took a punt return 66 yards for a score Oct. 18 at Syracuse.

Johnson, who also handled some kickoff return duties for Pitt, had a long return of 78 yards and averaged 31.8 yards on five attempts. Deuce Spann averaged 22.7 yards on 12 kickoff returns, with a long of 41.

At tight end, a position featuring slim statistical pickings in Pitt’s recent history, Bronowski’s room thrived.

Justin Holmes, Malachi Thomas, Jake Overman and Josh Altsman combined to record eight touchdown receptions.

Thomas had four, along with 22 catches for 201 yards, while Thomas caught 11 passes for 156 yards and Overman had nine grabs for 71 yards. Altsman made five receptions for 31 yards.

The Panthers recently signed a tight end in their 2026 class, three-star Wyatt Villarreal.