Since Mark Whipple left for Nebraska earlier this month, his potential replacement as Pitt’s offensive coordinator — in both the Peach Bowl and beyond — has been a hot topic among many in Panther Nation.
With head coach Pat Narduzzi promising to name the interim offensive coordinator once Pitt reached Atlanta for the Peach Bowl, he named tight ends coach Tim Salem as the interim OC for the game Sunday afternoon during Pitt’s Peach Bowl Zoom press conference.
“Tim Salem is gonna run our offense,” Narduzzi said. “Anybody on our offense could do it, and our kids could tell you … It’s been as smooth a transition as you can imagine. We’ve got a bunch of coordinators on our staff, so I trust everybody. But Tim Salem’s been with me for seven years. Our players have a lot of trust in him, it left right where it took off. We’re going to do what we do offensively, and guys have a lot of faith.”
While many clamored for wide receivers coach Brennan Marion to take over play-calling for the Peach, Narduzzi decided that Salem — the other offensive assistant with offensive coordinator experience — would be the play-caller.
Salem served as the offensive coordinator at UCF from 2004-08, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Michigan in 2003, the offensive coordinator at Purdue from 1993-96 and the offensive coordinator at Phoenix College in 1987-88.
Salem has served as the tight ends coach at Pitt since 2015, and he’s helped Pitt tight ends to All-ACC honors and program positional records. He’s also served as a key recruiter for Pitt during his time in Pittsburgh.
With Nick Patti making his first start of the 2021 season, leading a talented cast of skill players and a full offensive line, Salem will try to guide Pitt’s offense to another big performance and a program-tying-record 12th win.
Just lost Marion with this decision. Marion was their best recruiter and Narduzzi’s friendship just hurt Pitt. Marion has also been a Offensive Co’ordinator and Salem hasn’t been. Horrible decision will cost Pitt.
Umm – did you read the contents of the article ….
Salem has had OC responsibilities a few places.
If Texas is interested in Marion, unfortunately their salary pool much larger than what Pitt can pay a position coach.
did you read his experience as offensive OC? Was Oc at UFC & at Purdue university. they`ll be fine if everyone is on board with the choice.
Sturg doesn’t have time to read the articles. He’s too busy setting up fake accounts so he can post nonsense 24/7.
Why are you so paranoid of Sturg? What a sad life You must have to constantly to target accounts on comment threads. Stop trolling already.
“to constantly to target” How long did it take you to pass your GED? No Sturg, an example of a sad life would be someone who spends their days setting up multiple fake accounts to post pure crap. FJustinDietrich.
Good for Tim … let’s Go Pitt !
Narduzzi trusts Salem. Period.
The kid has a decision to make, follow his testosterone or work twice as hard. Past Pitt OCs have capitalized monetarily.
Just because Salem is coaching the Peach bowl as OC does not mean Marion could still not be the permanent one. No decision has been made. With the talented players the team has returning there could be a decent amount of established OCs that can be brought in externally. You do not need to hire within.
Another Naz decision based on emotion rather than qualifications. These decisions, regardless of schedule and talent always cost Pitt two to three games per year. IMO Saban, never would allow his coaching decisions to be based on his personal relationship with a coach, unless all other issues were equal.
Your post is pure nonsense. Who is more qualified on the current staff to be the interim OC? Salem has 12 years of experience as an OC, Marion has 3 years.
Pitt has 2 Coaches, that will be poached. Partridge and Marion are highly thought of by the Power 5 teams. Nonsense ? Texas and Miami want talented Coaches that can recruit. Only 2 coaches I see teams after.
What does any of this have to do with who calls the plays in the Peach Bowl Sturg? Sounds like you think the D-line coach should be the OC. Maybe the dumbest thing ever posted.
I don’t know who Sturg is? I responded and agree with Narduzzi making decisions based on friendship. Want me to list all these coaches with over 20 yrs experience with like 10 or more teams. I’m stating Pitt has 2 great coaches that are also great recruiters. Big 5 teams steal talent and don’t care how many yrs or teams you’ve been with. Marion has a Offensive System named after him! GoGo Offense! Maybe your buddy Sturg agrees with me Oh, Partridge would be a great Defensive Coordinator again.
Sure Sturg. I can see where all those voices in your head can be confusing. Especially when they all speak gibberish. Marion’s offense looks nothing like the offense that Pitt has been using the last 3 years under Whipple. Again, Salem has 12 years OC experience to Marion’s 3. Again, Partridge is a D-line coach, not an OC. The subject is who is going to call the plays at the Peach Bowl. Clearly you’re having trouble comprehending the subject matter. Maybe you should spend more time reading the articles & less time thinking of lame names for all of your… Read more »
Would sure love to meet you. Can already picture what you look like, and if you ever played sports. You was the guy, when I’m moving the weights or pounding the bag on treadmill. If you knew any of the Panthers in Palko’s days, they could tell you who the Irish Hammer is
I’m sure you would love to meet me sweetie but I don’t swing that way. Looks like you realize that your argument about Salem is absurd & now you’ve moved on to unwanted advances. Sad.
But who has the most talent and offers Pitt the best chance at future success? This is what matters most. I’d go with the younger, hungry one who has something to prove.
Of course you would because you know absolutely nothing about sports.You’re a one man clown show Sturg.
Things I trust more than Tim Salem as OC:
– Casey Anthony running a day care center
– My kids spending the night at Neverland Ranch
– Bill Cosby bar tending
– Mike Tomlin winning a playoff game
– Stevie Wonder in a NASCAR race
– ACC officials interpretation of defensive pass interference
Bartending is one word there genius.
Tell that to my phone Mr. English teacher
BS. Western Psych patients are not permitted to have phones.
Are you sure that your first name isn’t Richard instead of Mark?
Nope, my name is spelled correctly. M-A-R-K. Now if you could just learn how to spell Hugley & Jeffress correctly Sturg. This will be difficult for you since you’re very old but give it a shot.
Look buddy, it’s your business that you have a man crush on this Sturg guy but I’m not him. Please go be an internet tough guy somewhere else because you aren’t impressing anyone.
Not looking to impress you since you’re mentally ill. This is the part where you say something about rectums since they’re your thing.
Clearly, you are the last person on the planet that should be calling someone else mentally ill. Go back and look at your messages. You are out of nowhere harassing someone because you feel they are someone else that you are infatuated with. You sir are unstable. If you are indeed a Pitt grad they should consider revoking your diploma because you will clearly be doing something someday that blatantly embarrasses the University.
Go back & look at your messages Sturg. I realize that this will take several weeks since your multiple personalities are busy posting 24/7. You’re a sad clown obsessed with men’s rectums.
PSN staff, How much harassment is enough on your site? This guy clearly feels like I’m some guy he knows and must have a history with. He needs some kind of help.
Poor baby. Run to your safe space snowflake. Too bad you’re such a lightweight Sturg.
This decision is a huge mistake. Salem has already fallen flat on his face in his first stint as an OC at Pitt. He stunk as a play caller. Horrible decision.
Pickett bails + Salem as OC = Mich St win
Doesn’t matter what you think Surg. Your many posts under multiple fake names have shown you to be an ignorant twit.