It’s no secret that Pat Narduzzi is a defensive-minded head coach, but it’s clear now that he’s not all that involved with the offensive personnel decisions this season — especially at quarterback.
Narduzzi hasn’t wavered from his position that Pitt shouldn’t just “pull the plug” on Jurkovec though.
As the calls for Phil Jurkovec to be benched have grown louder and louder over the last two weeks, especially after such a poor showing against West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, Narduzzi has remained steadfast in his support of the sixth-year senior.
“You know what, he’s a leader in that huddle,” Narduzzi said Monday at his weekly news conference. “He’s a guy you trust. You’ve seen it every day.”
He may be a leader in the locker room, in the huddle or wherever, but through the one-fourth mark of the season, it’s not a stretch to say Jurkovec has been the worst quarterback in the ACC. He’s completed 35-of-75 pass attempts (46.7%) for 474 yards (both the lowest among ACC quarterbacks) with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s coming off perhaps the worst performance by a Pitt quarterback since Kenny Pickett in the ACC championship game a few seasons ago.
And if there’s to be a switch at quarterback this week or in the future, it won’t be Narduzzi who will make that decision himself.
“I’m leaning on Frank (Cignetti Jr.) and the offensive staff to make the right decision and make decisions at every position,” Narduzzi said.
“I mean, those guys know better. I don’t sit in there. I spend 85% of my time in the defensive side of the room. In practice, I spend probably 85% of my time watching them because I know I’m going to watch it with the defense and watch it with the offense and making sure we’re getting what we need out there and seeing what the tempo of the practice is.”
It’s not surprising that Narduzzi is more hands-on with the defense. But it certainly is concerning that in the midst of such a poor stretch of play, he’s only spending 15% of his time with that unit. He’s the head coach, not the defensive coordinator.
It’s clear that Pitt needs a change, even if it’s just to provide a spark to a stagnant, underperforming offense, but it appears as though that will only happen if Cignetti decides to do so. Not Narduzzi.
Pitt’s Week 4 depth chart featured Jurkovec as the starting quarterback, and that’s not surprising either. Narduzzi said that there will be more competition and evaluation this week in practice, as he did all summer, but quarterback is still the biggest question mark on the roster.
No. 17 North Carolina awaits, and the Tar Heels’ quarterback is far from a question mark.
Great, two games into the season and we’ve officially reached the “passing the buck” phase. If only they were this good at passing the ball.
Narduzzi has breeches his responsibility to the team, fans, city and his staff. He has put our fate in the hands of the con man Cignetti.
I have been a big supporter of Narduzzi until now. Obviously he lacks knowledge and courage to do his job.
Very true, Sharon. It’s now clear that Narduzzi isn’t pulling a full train!
Narduzzi has breeched his responsibility to the team, fans, city, boosters, and alumni. He has put this teams fate in the hands of the con man Cignetti.
I have been a big supporter of Narduzzi until now. Obviously he lacks knowledge and courage to do his job.
Cignetti should be getting less responsibilities, not more.
Cignetti is too dumb to realize he is now the fall guy.
I know what we’ve seen every day…he’s a hot headed, immature, noodle arm, slow and doughy spent QB. There are no advantages to him playing anymore, get CV meaningful snaps.
do we really think Cig has the stones to pull his prized pupil?
If you are the head coach and you spend 85% in the defensive room, then you aren’t a head coach, your are a DC. Way to pass the buck you clown.
Narduzzi is as weak as water!
Two of the best coaches in the business (Dabo & Saban) have pulled their QB’s in the middle of the game (Dabo last season, Saban on Saturday) Why can’t Narduzzi???? I say Pitt should hire Beanie Bishop as their new OC. At least he knows the QB play stinks…
Better choose wisely Frank, your job is on the line.
The only way Phil gets better is with better protection. The line isn’t suddenly going to become All American. The best solution is to use a power I or blocking back, like PITT did when they had 2 – 1000 yard rushers. It also puts an additional blocker in the backfield to help pickup any defense that gets through the line until the O line improves. It helps Phil and it should be quick to implement.
Hopefully MSU solves this problem for us.
Too many years left on Duzz contract.
All you need to see is what we saw in the Cincy game. While Narduzzi was having a meltdown the longer the game went, yelling at officials, then playing cheerleader trying to get the crowd pumped up…
Satterfield was calm, cool, collected, focused and locked in which is why he owns Narduzzi.
Then the following week Cincy/Satterfield went on to lose to the feared Miami of Ohio. ‘God Father’ Corleone/Bearcats were taken down by a MAC team on their home field. Sure makes Pitt’s offense look pretty pathetic (the RB’s excepted). WVU will be getting beat-up next. Pitt’s defense is actually quite good (again). They still have a shot at salvaging the season with a QB change, making Hammond the Ball Hawk, utilizing their 3-talented TE’s, and inserting the freshman receivers more often. I think Narduzzi needs a ‘coming to Jesus’ meeting with Lyke/AD first so that these enhancements will actually be… Read more »
It all starts with me and ends with me except when the qb is lousy then cignetti has the call…..buncha bs
I’m kind of conflicted because instead of manning up, swallowing his pride, and making the “tough” decision he decides to pass the responsibility to Cignetti. Which looks weak and cowardly on Narduzzi’s behalf(him claiming to barely spend anytime with the offense doesn’t help his case)
But I also see it as him saying to Cignetti “you wanted the Jurk, so you take him out to pasture or else you’re getting taken out to pasture”.
Maybe I’m looking too deep into it lol