The Pitt Panthers are in the market for a wide receivers coach as Chris Beatty has decided to move to the NFL as the new wide receivers coach of the San Diego Chargers.
This was unexpected but it also is a major loss for Pat Narduzzi as Beatty is a top notch assistant as well as arguably the top recruiting assistant on the Panthers staff.
Since joining the Pitt staff in 2019, Beatty’s recruiting ties in Virginia in Maryland were felt immediately with the commits of players such as Jordan Addison, Naquan Brown, Myles Alston, Rodney Hammond and Malik Newton.
Following the news of his departure, Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke on the phone with Beatty who was both excited for the promotion to the NFL but also sad for leaving Pitt, in particular his position group and recruits he brought to Pittsburgh.
“At the end of the day, it’s a who you know business and networking business and I was fortunate enough to have a relationship with Brandon Staley (Chargers new head coach) from the past as we worked together at Northern Illinois, so that’s kind of how everything came together. Most people want to see how they can do against the best in the world, along with getting to coach at the highest level and I’m no different. I always aspired to get into the league at some point and see how I could do. It’s a dream come true and hopefully I’ll be able to stay there for awhile, because it’s a tough business.”
“This definitely was bitter sweet because trust me, I love everyone here (Pitt). I appreciate Coach Narduzzi for giving me the opportunity at Pitt. They really have a great coaching staff along with great people, in every respect. Then obviously the players, I love those guys, they’re my guys. This definitely was not easy. Believe me their are very few jobs that I would’ve left these guys to go to because I felt like I had a great gig and situation here. I was not looking for a change
Maybe now the Pitt WR’s won’t drop the ball so much.
Make no mistake about it, this is a loss for PItt. I’ll forgive a few drops in exchange for the talent Beatty brought in. However, I can’t fault a guy who wants to coach with his buddy out in southern CA; It’s not like Pitt lost Beatty for a lateral career move. Hopefully Beatty’s pay is high enough to absorb California’s ridiculously high taxes.
Should’ve canned Whipple and made him OC a month ago.