After the 2022 season, Pat Narduzzi had the luxury of keeping that desk drawer locked where he stores his list of assistant coach candidates.

It would be a big surprise if he doesn’t go looking for the key this offseason.

There is always collateral damage when a team has a losing record, and in Pitt’s case this will be the worst of Narduzzi’s nine seasons at Pitt. The Panthers (2-8, 1-5 ACC) are on the brink of the program’s first double-digit losing season since 1972, the last before Johnny Majors arrived to save the program.

Change is necessary, and Narduzzi will do what he believes is appropriate in consultation with athletic director Heather Lyke. That goes for coaches, players, everybody.

“We evaluate every day,” he said, “what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, try to get things corrected. It’s a team sport. It’s everybody. I tell the trainers, ‘You’re involved.’ Equipment, ‘You better not mess it up.’ Certainly, coaches.”

Some programs make personnel changes with games to play. Penn State and the Buffalo Bills, teams with unfulfilled expectations, fired their offensive coordinators this week. Narduzzi bristled recently when asked about making changes before the end of the season, indicating he won’t be rushed into decisions when there are games to play and game plans to formulate.

After nearly nine years of observing him, it can be stated that the man understands when there is a need for change, but he’ll do it on his schedule.

Meanwhile, here are five thoughts to ponder in advance of Pitt’s final home game Thursday night against Boston College (6-4, 3-3) at Acrisure Stadium:

1. OC parade

Narduzzi has employed five offensive coordinators over nine seasons, none having served longer than Mark Whipple, who forged a strong bond with Kenny Pickett and spent three years at Pitt.

Whipple is perhaps Narduzzi’s second-best hire after defensive line coach Charlie Partridge. Offensive coordinators are often easy targets, but Whipple doesn’t get enough credit for helping Pickett craft the best season by a quarterback at a school where Dan Marino used to play.

Jim Chaney and Matt Canada left after one season as coordinators in 2015 and 2016, each for more lucrative jobs. Shawn Watson was fired after two seasons. With Pickett gone, Whipple moved on to Nebraska for one season.

Pitt’s offense has struggled in Frank Cignetti Jr.’s second season, but he was on top of his game in 2022 when Pitt won nine games with three starting quarterbacks. That was a difficult season for Cignetti, whose father died the day of the Tennessee game.

Thanks to a contract that runs through the 2030 season, Narduzzi’s job is secure. Plus, he has the support of Lyke, who signed him to that contract. Through the Todd Graham/Paul Chryst years, Pitt fans wanted stability in their program.

Now, they have it.

• After 11 months of practices, games, Pitt still working to master tackling fundamentals • Tough time for a short week, Pitt gets ready to confront Boston College on Thursday night • Analysis: Questionable quarterback play 1 of Pitt's many problems

2. QB quandary

At his Monday news conference, Narduzzi had no interest in revealing the identity of his starting quarterback.

A hint: Change is difficult at this point of the season, especially on a short week, so Christian Veilleux seems like the logical choice.

Who could blame him, however, if he goes with Nate Yarnell, who replaced Veilleux in the second half of the Syracuse game? Veilleux has thrown eight interceptions in seven games, five more picks than Phil Jurkovec, who had 72 fewer attempts.

But the coaching staff still doesn’t have enough information on Veilleux or Yarnell to make an informed decision on what to do in the offseason. That’s why you might see both under center over the last two games.

Does Narduzzi return to the portal — where to date he hasn’t had great success finding quarterbacks — or does he stay with the three under scholarship, including freshman Ty Dieffenbach?

3. Significant shortfall

After Pitt averaged nearly 50 sacks per season from 2019-22, it’s jarring to see this season’s total (25) after 10 games. Linebacker Shayne Simon and defensive end Sam Okunlola lead the team with four each.

4. BC’s running threat at QB

The only way Pitt can break its second four-game losing streak of the season is to get a handle on Boston College quarterback Thomas Castellanos. At 5-foot-10, 196 pounds, Castellanos is the Eagles’ leading rusher (806 yards, 10 touchdowns) while throwing for 1,824 yards and 13 scores.

“Castellanos is an athlete who can run. He’s a running back back there, and he can throw it,” Narduzzi said. “He’s quick. He’s fast. He’s probably a 4.4 (40-yard dash) guy. He can put his foot in the ground and go.

“They found a diamond there, I think. If they had another quarterback, he can be a great tailback.”

Actually, BC had two starting quarterbacks last season, but Jurkovec transferred to Pitt and Emmett Morehead lost his job when Castellanos arrived from Central Florida.

At least Pitt knows who its opponent will use at quarterback. Last week against Syracuse, there was no certainty, and Pitt’s defense wasn’t ready for a tight end at wildcat.

“Nice to know that Thomas is going to be at quarterback,” Narduzzi said. “I say that, and (BC coach Jeff) Hafley will put someone else at quarterback.”

Asked if Jurkovec, who has been practicing with the tight ends, might play Thursday against his former teammates, Narduzzi said, “We’re trying to win a game. If he can help us win the game, we’ll get him on the field. If he can’t, then he won’t be on the field.”

Narduzzi should do it as a way of repaying Jurkovec for being a good soldier after being benched.

5. Not this week, coach

Narduzzi said he often exchanges pregame “Good luck” text messages with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, but he doesn’t expect one this week. Tomlin’s son Dino (5-11, 182) is a redshirt senior wide receiver at Boston College.

“I’ve been really impressed with him. He’s a playmaker. He’s become a trustworthy guy in that offense,” Narduzzi said. “He’s got great hands, and he finds a way to make a lot of plays. I’m sure coach Tomlin will be up in his box watching his son.”

Tomlin, who has 19 receptions for 228 yards, played at North Catholic and Shady Side Academy. Narduzzi said Pitt offered Tomlin a scholarship, but he opted for Maryland before transferring to BC.

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