One thing that everyone can agree on when it comes to Pat Narduzzi is that he’s very good at making eye-opening comments.
Whether you agree with him or not, you can count on the Pitt head coach saying something that will make headlines and that was certainly the case following his appearance on a local podcast.
Appearing as a guest on the Shults Ford podcast with owner Richard Bazzy, Narduzzi got people stirred up, especially programs in the Big Ten, after his strong comments concerning his former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, last year’s Peach Bowl and the national perception of the Big Ten Conference.
While the specific comments can and will be debated, if you’re a Pitt fan, you should love that your head coach is this opinionated and obviously has this much passion and love for the program that he’s in charge of.
Since making these comments, the Narduzzi detractors are out in full force and hammering him pretty good, which is to be expected.
Duzz rubs a lot of people the wrong way because he’s brash and emotional and is willing to say things that most college coaches don’t have the stomach to say. I’ll admit that at times, Narduzzi says things that might not need to be said, but on the other hand, he’s asked a question and he’s giving you his honest thoughts. How many times do fans and media accuse head coaches of being boring and that their press conferences are a waste of time?
That’s certainly not the case when it comes to Pat Narduzzi.
Have I always agreed with Narduzzi’s game day coaching? No. Have I criticized him for some games I feel Pitt should have won? Yes. Have I openly wondered aloud whether he was going to succeed at Pitt? Yes.
With all that being said, I have never questioned Narduzzi’s passion and love for the Pitt program and his players, which is his best quality.
Although it’s taken some time and a lot of hard work by him and his coaching staff and a huge commitment from the University, Narduzzi has this program as solid as it’s been in many, many, many years and he’s the perfect person to be the face of the Panthers program.
Thanks to their first ACC championship last season, Pitt is back in the national spotlight and Narduzzi believes they’re positioned to be there for the foreseeable future, hence his strong comments on Wednesday. Narduzzi believes in the talent that’s on this roster and isn’t afraid to let people out of Pittsburgh know about it. As I said earlier, I have no problem with that.
Narduzzi shouldn’t be criticized for giving his opinion and nothing he said is wrong because it’s just that, his opinion. Frankly, I agree with just about everything he had to say.
While it made things entertaining and raised the profile and statistics of players like Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison, Whipple did throw the ball entirely too much and had no use for the running game. Whipple’s pass-happy offense also didn’t do the Pitt defense any favors either.
Narduzzi’s biggest fault for what he had to say about Whipple was that he was too honest because the actual comments were spot on.
As far as the Big Ten/SEC comment, I don’t disagree with that when it comes to the Big Ten. I’ve said this before and maintain the opinion that the conference is propped up and has the inflated national opinion because of the success of Ohio State, one of the most dominant brands in football.
I’m sure I’ll get a lot of positive comments about this but after Ohio State, I’m not star-struck by the rest of the conference as most people are. Penn State and Michigan are Top 10 brands but after that? Wisconsin is good but isn’t elite. Michigan State, Iowa — blah. The Big Ten is Ohio State period.
The thoughts on the Peach Bowl can be debated, but they became headlines because it’s not normal for coaches to be that outspoken on a topic like that, except when you’re talking about Pat Narduzzi.
Pitt fans enjoy this time period. Your football program is one of the best in the ACC and the man in charge is considered a rebel by people outside the program but loved by his players
Time are changing at Pitt and that’s a good thing and it’s all because of the outspoken Pat Narduzzi.
The Little 12, outside of OSU, is the most overrated conference in the country.
Don’t forget USC. But hang on in there with the ACC as it slowly dies over the awful contract it’s locked into. Miami, Florida State and Clemson are soon gone.
Let’s see how cocky duzzinator is without Pickett who carried them last year.
h2p!!!!
According to you, Miami, fsu and Clemson are locked into an awful contract and can’t leave anytime soon. If you’re going to troll, be consistent in the trolling. Least you can do
oh they are locked into it but they also have deep enough pockets to pay to get out and not worry about the penalty. Pitt, not so much
h2p!!!!!
Love him or hate him, he has great supervision over the Shower Rooms.
Yeah, okay Swami.
Nothing wrong with being outspoken, but how do you call out your OC for being too pass happy when you hired him knowing that’s his style and you kept him for two years? Makes you look a little foolish IMO
Narduzzi and the program need to keep it up. One year removed from a championship, means little if you can’t be consistent. Let him say what he wants … what goes around, comes around. I always tell people who like to talk big, “if you want to ride in like Custer, you better be prepared to come back with a haircut”.
Ez… he’s the head coach that’s why he’s not there no more… his not like The rest of these phonies in this world … HTP
Nice article .. I agree with you… but from the comment Pittsburgh is Truly a state penn town… but hey they don’t care about pitt .. LOL 🙄 … 🤡