It’s been a poorly kept secret that Rutgers wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood was coming to Pitt to serve as its wide receivers coach, but that news is now official.
Pat Narduzzi announced Underwood’s hire Saturday via Twitter, formally introducing him as Pitt’s new wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. The 34-year-old replaces Brennan Marion, who left for the same position at Texas in December.
Underwood, who spent the last two seasons as Rutgers’ wide receivers coach, arrives at Pitt much to the dismay of many Rutgers fans, who felt the Rutgers alum might stay longer under Greg Schiano.
“Tiquan is a tremendous addition to our program,” Narduzzi said in Pitt’s press release. “First and foremost, he is just an outstanding person. Our staff really enjoyed getting to know him during the interview process and it was obvious he’ll be a great fit. Tiquan is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable coach who will help elevate everything we are looking to accomplish offensively. He’ll make an immediate connection with our players and help them be better on and off the field.”
A five-year NFL pro, racking up 1,000 yards and six touchdowns during his time in the league, Underwood was drafted out of Rutgers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. During four seasons as a Scarlet Knight, Underwood emerged as one of the top wide receivers in program history — his 1,110 yards as a junior ranking fifth in single-season history.
While Underwood has only has three stops as a coach (Lafeyette’s wide receivers coach for a season, the Miami Dolphins’ quality control coach for a season and then Rutgers), he’s a young, innovative mind that will have an influence on Pitt’s offense in 2022.
“It is an honor to be named wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh,” Underwood said in the release. “I am grateful to Coach Narduzzi and our director of athletics, Heather Lyke, for the opportunity to join this outstanding program and university. Pitt is a special place with a great tradition. I look forward to helping this program pursue another ACC championship and national title while working with our tremendous student-athletes, coaches and staff. I can’t wait to get started and help build on the solid foundation that is already established here at Pitt.”
While Underwood’s impact on Jordan Addison, Jared Wayne and Konata Mumpfield is the obvious draw, he’s an active recruiter in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, pulling a couple of strong wide receivers to Rutgers in his two seasons. He will continue that at Pitt.
Underwood and new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti Jr. complete Pitt’s staff for the 2022 season, filling the vacancies created by Marion and Mark Whipple.
Welcome Aboard Mr. U. H2P !