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Frank Cignetti Jr. Officially Hired As Pitt’s Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach

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Frank Cignetti Jr. is officially back for his third stint on Pitt’s coaching staff, coming back to Pittsburgh as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news that Cignetti was expected to be hired as Pitt’s offensive coordinator last week, and Pitt officially announced Cignetti’s hire Friday afternoon.

“My family and I are extremely grateful to Coach Pat Narduzzi for the opportunity to return home to Pittsburgh and coach at Pitt, two places that have always remained very close to our hearts,” Cignetti said in Pitt’s press release. “There are some incredibly special things happening at Pitt and it is exciting to become a part of it. I can’t wait to work with this great coaching staff and, most importantly, get to know and work with our players. I know everyone is wholly committed to building on last year’s ACC championship and continuing to elevate this proud program.”

Cignetti is coming off two seasons as Boston College’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, leading the Eagles’ best passing attack in years in 2020 before injuries ruined the 2021 season.

Narduzzi lauded Cignetti’s proven track record as a quarterback guru and welcomed the Pittsburgh native back home.

“Having the opportunity to bring Frank back to Pitt is a tremendous coup for our entire program,” Narduzzi said in Pitt’s press release. “He’s an extremely talented football coach and teacher. Frank has worked with some of the greatest quarterbacks in the game. He knows what it takes to build a championship-caliber offense. I really think Frank’s experience and knowledge will make us better in every positional room.

“Beyond football, Frank understands and values what Pitt and Pittsburgh are all about. This is home for him. His passion and energy are going to make an immediate connection with our team.”

Cignetti got his start as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 1989, and he’s been a coach in either the NCAA or NFL ever since. He made the jump from Indiana University (Pa.) to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999, and he’s served as either the quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints, Fresno State, North Carolina, California, Pitt, Rutgers, St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers and Boston College.

Cignetti helped lead Pitt to a 10 win season in 2009, guiding Bill Stull to his best collegiate season at quarterback and helping Dion Lewis, Jon Baldwin and Dorin Dickerson to NFL opportunities.

With USC transfer Kedon Slovis likely replacing Kenny Pickett at quarterback in 2022, Cignetti will be in charge of helping Slovis return to previously seen heights in SoCal and guiding Pitt’s loaded offense to another strong season.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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SRS
SRS
2 years ago

WVU Sept.3 and UTK Sept.10 will decide if we have a Space-Balls quote in mind, Colonel Sandurz “It’s Mega-Maid! We have gone from…”
Here’s hoping it is a High-Octane offense, #h2p.
Good O-Line, Good Specialty Players, Should have Quality QB. We’ll see what the Play Calling looks like and whether it is Side-Line Communications or Jog to Side-line like last few years to cover from Clemson (New England Patriots) anti-sign stealing covert mode.

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  SRS

Um….ok.

APD94
2 years ago

Looking forward to him running the PITT offense and being the QB coach. I think this is a decent hire.

Jim_99
Jim_99
2 years ago

I have confidence in him, and do hope that a more balanced attack is in order.

Send it in !
Send it in !
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim_99

That is archaic thinking. Passing is the name of the game.

TJ
TJ
2 years ago

Welcome back Mr. C. Looking forward to see you work your stuff. Wondering which of these guys will he be mentoring … Slovis, Patti, Beville, Yellen and Yarnell. Seems like Slovis is the fav to start next season or maybe Patti if he recovers. That means rs juniors Beville and Yellen will not see the field for yet another season. Then with Patti gone the following year, they’d need to beat out Slovis again in order to play before they graduate (not sure how the extra covid season factors in). Are Patti, Beville and Yellen willing to sit and wait,… Read more »

Send it in !
Send it in !
2 years ago
Reply to  TJ

Quarterbacks sit and wait on every team in college football. Why is Pitt any different ?

Send it in !
Send it in !
2 years ago

These guys sure do get ‘shuffled around’ a lot. 3rd time around at Pitt. I hate the pro-offense in college. He needs to trash it and get with the current state of the college game.

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  Send it in !

Ha! I’m sure Cignetti is rethinking his offense now that you have weighed in.

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