Wofford University has once again turned to Pitt for a coaching hire. Former Pitt wide receiver Michael Vardzel has joined the Terriers as a defensive quality coach working with defensive backs, Pittsburgh Sports Now has confirmed. The news of Vardzel’s hiring was first reported FootballScoop.com.
His hiring comes just days after Pitt graduate assistant Bryan Bing was hired as Wofford’s defensive line coach. Vardzel will become the fourth Wofford coach with Pitt ties, joining Bing, head coach Josh Conklin, and defensive coordinator Rob Greene. Conklin was Pitt’s defensive coordinator from 2015-18 before taking the reigns at Wofford, and Greene was a graduate assistant at Pitt in 2016.
That was the same year that Vardzel walked on at Pitt. He spent four seasons with the Panthers, playing just one game in his career. In 2020, Vardzel was named to the Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame after posting a 3.2 GPA throughout the entirety of his college career.
Vardzel’s younger brother, John, is currently a receiver at Pitt. John Vardzel walked on in 2018, and was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2020 season. John has four catches for 11 yards in 21 career games at Pitt, along with five punt returns for 7 yards.
The Terriers had their fall 2020 schedule postponed to this spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their eight-game spring season is scheduled to begin Feb. 20 against Mercer.