Pitt announced Frank Cignetti Jr. would not return as its offensive coordinator just under a week ago, setting the stage for a completely revamped offense in 2024, and Pat Narduzzi has been busy interviewing potential candidates all week.
There have been a number of candidates from around the college football landscape who have had their names linked to the Pitt opening, and a name may be rising toward the top of the list.
Georgia wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Bryan McClendon is picking up steam as a candidate for the opening.
McClendon is in his second stint at Georgia, serving as the wide receivers coach and passing coordinator for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons, which is also where he played college ball.
He started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Georgia in 2007, working his way onto the staff as the running backs coach before being reassigned as the wide receivers job. He served as the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, in addition to his wide receivers duties, in the 2015 season — even coaching the TaxSlayer Bowl as the interim head coach.
McClendon has served as an offensive coordinator at one stop along his coaching career, calling plays for South Carolina in 2018 and 2019. The 2018 season was a success, averaging 30.1 points per game and racking up 426.2 yards per game with Jake Bentley under center — in the best season of his lengthy college career.
The 2019 season wasn’t nearly as successful as the Gamecocks as injuries and inconsistent play led to McClendon being demoted as the offensive coordinator — but retaining his wide receivers coach role — at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
He did not stay at South Carolina though, instead taking a position on Mario Cristobal’s staff at Oregon as the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator. He spent two seasons with the Ducks, once again serving as the interim coach in a bowl game as Cristobal left for Miami. McClendon was hired by Cristobal at Miami, set to serve as the co-offensive coordinator, but never coached a game at Miami after he swapped back to Georgia instead.
McClendon hasn’t had a ton of success at the coordinator level, only two seasons calling plays under his belt, but the 2018 season at South Carolina was successful. And it’s clear McClendon is the type of coach who has built strong bonds with his players at every stop. And he’s an ace recruiter — serving as the primary recruiter for the likes of Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Todd Gurley and many others.
It remains to be seen how quickly Narduzzi will fill Cignetti’s vacancy, but with the transfer portal opening on Dec. 4, it would be in everyone’s best interest to have the process wrapped up sooner than later. There will be important decisions to make in the transfer portal, and there probably is a reason that no offensive player has entered the portal to this point.
The Pitt coaching staff hit the road Friday morning to check in on the class of 2024, and Georgia is in the midst of prep for Saturday’s SEC championship game against Alabama, for reference, so it could be a busy week once again for Pitt football.
We would be lucky to land him. He would instantly improve the pass game and offensive recruiting.
Hard pass.
This guy has had little success as an OC,
So why would anyone think he could do good things at Pitt?
If this is the best Pitt can do for a new OC that says a lot about both Pitt and Narduzzi. I get they aren’t going to attract an established OC from a big name program. But you can’t tell me there aren’t good OCs from the group of 5 that would take a chance at Pitt to show they can cut it in a P5 conference. So instead they go after a coach who after his 2nd season ever as a coordinator was demoted back to a WRs coach. He sounds like a really good recruiter and position coach,… Read more »
Demoted to WR coach after only 2 seasons. He sounds like a Narduzzi guy already.
Once again delusional Pitt fans here.
Pitt is not a desired destination.
We are not going to get a highly successful offensive coordinator to come here .
They are going to have to either take a chance on someone or get a retread once again.
Any Coach would be a idiot to come here. He would have to have complete control of offensive assistants and offense. Horrible Offensive Line Coach, Wide Receiver Coach etc. Need young aggressive coaches that can recruit. AD will have to be involved to bring in anyone talented. Narduzzi has this program in serious trouble.
Bryan McClendon would be an excellent choice as the new Offensive Coordinator at Pitt! Let’s get Bryan on board and get started on rebuilding the Pitt offense, including recruiting young men who want to build something special at Pitt.
Are you his agent?
He has only been an OC for 2 years out of his entire career. Had 1 ok season and one season bad enough he was bumped back down to WRs coach. While yes he’s a great recruiter and position coach, Pitt can’t afford to give someone a shot at their 2nd chance. They need to look down in the G5 for someone who wants a shot to get into a bigger conference. Someone that’s already established as an OC.
Lombardi had a lousy resume when the packers hired him.
I have no idea if McClendon will be a good OC nor does anyone else and I guess that’s my biggest concern. I would like someone with more than 2 years of OC experience. Pitt should be able to attract either someone doing special things in a mid tier conference looking to move up, or someone from a power 5 school who is out of a job due to other circumstances (change at head coach..etc.) This guy (if hired) may turn out to be the greatest OC ever, but I don’t think Pitt is in that bad of a position… Read more »
McClendon is likely Georgia’s next OC. I doubt we can land him. He probably makes more as the WR coach and heir apparent OC.