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Pitt HC Pat Narduzzi Working On Extension With AD Heather Lyke

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Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi signed a seven-year contract extension after the 2017 season, keeping him in Pittsburgh through the 2024 season, and it appears that he’ll be extending his stay once again.

At Pitt’s official Peach Bowl acceptance press conference Tuesday morning, Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke spoke to her great degree of trust in Narduzzi and his staff in building a program.

“This program, it takes time to build it the right way,” Lyke said. “We have unbelievable confidence in coach Narduzzi and our staff, and they’re building it, and here’s where — this is just the start of where we’re headed.”

Narduzzi has been the head coach at Pitt since 2015, taking over after a period of relative instability following Dave Wannstedt’s exit after the 2010 season. While it took some time to build the program, as Lyke mentioned, the fruits of Narduzzi’s labor have been on full display this season.

Pitt experienced its best season in decades, jumping out to an 11-2 record and the first ever ACC championship with a win over Wake Forest. Kenny Pickett became Pitt’s first Heisman finalist since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003, and Jordan Addison won Pitt’s first Biletnikoff Award since 2003.

With a chance to win the 12th game this season coming in the Peach Bowl against No. 10 Michigan State, Pitt can match the greatest win total in program history. And it’s also helped Narduzzi’s own standing in the program.

While he’s still under contract, Lyke said the discussions regarding his “arrangement and deal” have already begun to be worked on.

“Pat and I will work on his arrangement and deal, and we are and we have,” Lyke said. “So, when we’re ready to share that, we absolutely will.”

Narduzzi made just over $4.8 million in salary for the 2021, according to USA TODAY, which ranks second in the ACC behind Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. His salary is relatively average when compared with other FBS coaches.

Narduzzi is already rising the ranks of Pitt coaches, his 89 games coached ranking fourth in program history behind Jock Sutherland, John Michelosen and Walt Harris. His 53 wins also ranked fourth, and his .586 win percentage ranks seventh among Pitt coaches with at least 40 games coached.

Pitt will play Michigan State in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. on ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Steve
Steve
2 years ago

Was hoping the next coaching article would be the naming of an OC.

Section 122
Section 122
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve

Hopefully, getting that position and the other coaching positions more money is part of this negotiation.

Pittband
Pittband
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve

If the rumor is true, he’s already on staff.

richard ellison
2 years ago
Reply to  Pittband

if it is true thats the best route to go with someone that already has trust with the system. As the old saying goes dont it if it isn`t broken

Steve
Steve
2 years ago
Reply to  Pittband

Would love Marion to be promoted.

kmp30
kmp30
2 years ago

Good. We won’t always win 11 games but stability in a program like ours will get us there more often than a coaching change every 3 to 5 years.

Last edited 2 years ago by kmp30
Russell Eugene Kissell
Russell Eugene Kissell
2 years ago

Pitt needs Narduzzi, his loyalty to Pitt is one strength, but to have a lifelong coach like the other Pennsylvania school had, can only reap success!

Terrence
Terrence
2 years ago

Hopefully she does something about this abysmal basketball program soon as well

Adam Held
Adam Held
2 years ago
Reply to  Terrence

They’ve hit rock bottom and now they are passing out shovels.

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