With the conclusion of the 2021 season, Pat Narduzzi’s biggest task is bringing in someone to replace Mark Whipple as Pitt’s offensive coordinator.
Considering the talent that the program has stockpiled on offense and the upward trajectory of the program, Narduzzi will have no problem luring qualified and attractive candidates. Based on his recent track record of hiring assistant coaches, I’m very confident he’ll make another solid choice that will keep this offense in a position to put up points.
Despite saying he wouldn’t focus on this hiring until after the season, I’m sure Narduzzi has a short list of candidates that he plans on talking with. I can save Pat some time and suggest a person that he’s already familiar with that was one of his better coaching hires at Pitt.
Bring back former wide receiver coach Chris Beatty as the Panthers new offensive coordinator.
Pitt hired the 48-year-old back in 2019 and he moved on to the NFL as the wide receiver coach with the Los Angeles Chargers. He didn’t leave because he was unhappy or for a lateral job, he left to go coach at the highest level of football.
Beatty had this to say to Pittsburgh Sports Now after accepting the job with the Chargers-
“This definitely was bittersweet 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 there 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.”
Of all the coaches that have left during Narduzzi’s tenure, I believe Beatty was the biggest loss and had the most long-term potential. Aside from Charlie Partridge, Beatty arguably was Narduzzi’s best assistant coaching hire. His biggest strengths are his personality and ability to create lasting relationships with people, most notably recruits.
Despite not being here long, Beatty was able to attract talent like Jordan Addison, Naquan Brown, Myles Alston, Rodney Hammond and Malik Newton to the Panthers program. Let’s not forget that Beatty was solely responsible for bringing Addison, Brown, Alston and Hammond to Pitt. His recruiting ties to the east coast, especially in Virginia and Maryland are legendary and with more time, would’ve brought more elite level talent to Pitt. I believe it’s a must for Pitt’s next offensive coordinator to be a strong and active recruiter, something Mark Whipple wasn’t.
Beatty would instantly turn into Pitt’s best recruiter on staff, along with Partridge. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football and Beatty would keep that as a strength for the Panthers.
Along with attracting talent, Beatty has a long history with many Power Five programs and served as co-offensive coordinator at both Illinois and Maryland. Since moving to the college ranks in 2006, after coaching high school football in Virginia, Beatty has had stops at Northern Illinois, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia and Maryland. Aside from offensive coordinator, Beatty has also been assistant head coach at Maryland and Virginia.
Despite being in the NFL, this would likely be an opportunity Beatty wouldn’t pass up. Successful stints as a coordinator turn into head coaching jobs–which is every coach’s dream.
A big part of Pitt’s recent success is Narduzzi has surrounded himself with a tremendous coaching staff and Beatty would more than make up for the losses of Whipple and Marion.
This is an attractive job and Narduzzi will no doubt have a ton of worthy candidates but in my opinion, Chris Beatty checks all the boxes and so would be a home run hire.
Do you have any information on what style offense Beatty would bring if hired? What style did he offense did he run when he was co-OC?
I know he might be a great coach, but does he fit our current system???
H2P!!!
boy, looks like he’s jumped around many times in college and now would leave the NFL? Where’s the loyalty?
He’s not a good human and would not be a good hire for my alma mater. There will be better options. If he’s hired, could be a public relations nightmare.
WHAT???
Pay no attention to this cretin who calls himself LaLa. He’s a mentally ill clown in need of a diaper change.
We’re you given too much whiskey as a baby? 🍼
I think you need to explain your post a bit. No one seems to know what you’re talking about.
Good luck trying to get something coherent out of Krackers.
I don’t need to explain more than I have known him for a long time before he was at Pitt and after he left. He’s a master manipulator and is in it for the money. The quote is laughable. He is loyal to himself only. Pitt can hire him if they want, I think it’s a mistake.
Excellent article and great suggestion. If they offer him a competitive contract he might take it. Unfortunately for Pitt, he has some tremendous opportunities in the NFL.
How about checking the Wisconsin OC, who’s roots are In western Pa, and bringing him back to Pitt?
Not after this season they were terrible offensively
Our receivers led the acc in drops under Beatty and didn’t get yards when they did catch it. They didnt block in the run game either like they did this year. Marion fixed all of these issues in 1 season. Co-offensive coordinator is not enough to prove Beatty can be a good playcaller obviously teams gave him a title because he is a good recruiter. How he got an NFL gig is a huge question mark for me especially now seeing how much the receivers improved after he left! Matt Canada may be looking for a job soon lets stick… Read more »
Canada’s record as a college OC is 78-75. Not exactly setting the world on fire.
Duzz isn’t going to bring Canada back. That bridge burnt went Canada bolted after Duzz and he had an understanding to be patient.
Maybe you should be replying to Nonya instead of me. he’s the one who wants Canada.
He may well have burnt that bridge whoever Duzz hires will be an experienced OC cant see him hiring a rookie OC or he would have just hired Marion.
LSU wouldn’t let him run his offense and Maryland was a dysfunctional situation. He had great seasons at Wisconsin and Pitt. At least he ran a more balanced offense when he was at Pitt maybe KP wouldn’t have opted out because he was getting murdered under whipples play calling. There may be better canidates available but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he came back. Beating Clemson in death valley was a huge accomplishment especially with no defense.
Apparently your idea of “great seasons” are 8-6 (Wisconsin) & 8-5 (Pitt). But keep making excuses for the guy that bounces around more than Sturg in a rubber room. Take away his one year at N. Illinois where he went 11-3 & his Power 5 record is 67-72. Proven winner? Not even close.
Look at Pitts strength of schedule in 2016 and compare it to this last season (70th) and then tell me 8 wins was not impressive. Especially since prior coaches left pitt with 2 star walk ons on defense. Canada put 38 points on Oklahoma st ranked 11th and still lost. Beat #1 Clemson and #7 Penn st witb 0 defense. Whipple had cake defenses to build his resume.
Also Peterman was knocked out of the bowl game
#7 Penn State? They weren’t even ranked when they played & Pitt was favored. Bottom line Sturg, you’re making excuses for a guy who can’t hold a job for more than 2 years, is under .500 when coaching power 5, & if not for the Steelers would be out of coaching which he still might be next year.
How about Brian Hartline WR Coach at Ohio State
No.