Pitt has officially announced that Kade Bell is the new offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh.
The news broke earlier Sunday, and Pat Narduzzi confirmed that the former Western Carolina offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach will serve as the new Panthers offensive coordinator.
“Kade’s offensive approach — relentlessly fast and aggressive — is everything a defensive coordinator hates to face and the type of system our players will absolutely love,” Narduzzi said in the Pitt press release. “He’s an incredibly creative playcaller who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the country. Beyond ‘Xs and Os,’ Kade understands and greatly values relationship-building with his players and fellow coaches. On and off the field, Kade Bell will make us better.”
Pitt moved on from previous offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. after two seasons following a season finale loss to Duke last month, and it sent Pat Narduzzi into perhaps the most important coordinator search of his Pitt tenure. And it’s resulted in Bell taking over the Panthers’ offense.
Bell, 30, will be tasked with turning around an offense that hit rock bottom under Cignetti last season, averaging just 20.2 points per game and 317.9 total yards per game, and he will have — largely — the same offense that Cignetti had in 2024.
Pitt secured the returns of Rodney Hammond Jr., Gavin Bartholomew and both Ryan Baer and Branson Taylor, and the hire of a young, innovative playcaller should excite those who may have been on the fence.
Bell is coming off a three-season stint at Western Carolina — an FCS program in Cullowhee, N.C. — and he turned the Catamounts into one of the most explosive programs in all of college football.
The Catamounts averaged 37.5 points per game and 504.1 yards (321.2 passing yards and 182.9 rushing yards) per game to lead the Southern Conference. And, in a complete flip from the 2023 season in Pittsburgh, WCU converted 44.2% of third down opportunities. WCU quarterback Cole Gonzales threw for 2,803 yards with 28 touchdowns to eight interceptions, leading an offense that broke school records for total yards and passing touchdowns.
“I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity that Coach Narduzzi and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke have given me to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh,” Bell said in the Pitt press release. “Great players, traditions and championships are what this program is about. I can’t wait to get to work and be part of something special in the City of Pittsburgh. Hope our fans are ready to play fast and score faster. Hail to Pitt!”
Bell is a change from how Narduzzi has traditionally hired, and he does not have any Power Five (or even FBS) experience, but he has certainly produced in a major way at his prior stops. Now he will have to produce at Pitt.
Bell is a young, up-and-coming coach, graduating from Jacksonville in 2015 after a standout career as a quarterback, and he’s still fresh in the industry.
He started his coaching career as an assistant at Valdosta State (D2) in 2016, rising to offensive coordinator and passing game coordinator — leading an offense in 2018 that broke the Division II total points record.
Bell took the offensive coordinator position, also serving as an associate head coach, at Tusculum (D2) in 2020, and he spent two years with the Pioneers before taking the offensive coordinator job at WCU
Bell is likely the most important hire that Narduzzi will make in his near-decade as the Pitt head coach, as Narduzzi likes to be hands-off with his offensive personnel and let the offensive coordinator handle all of the day-to-day duties, and Bell will be tasked with turning around an inept offense that cannot flop again.
Narduzzi breaks the mold and I can’t believe he did. Pitt will join the jet set of college offenses.
You can bet the bank on the AD made this hire and fired the old OC. She knows Narduzzi lost this team and the program in trouble. She’s the one that kept Partridge here. Only quality Coach and recruiter on team. Has to be other moves to help Bell. Bring in young aggressive coaches.
Maybe, maybe not. It seems every other OC is a bust or a miracle worker (until lured away with large money offers). This is a money issue a promising Power 5 OC would probably cost double Cade’s salary.
Sounds good on paper. Can he recruit though?? The answer needs to be “Yes” for this move to work out.
Don’t know anything about him but his numbers look good. Even though not against Power 5 competition. Never thought that he had to come from a “big” program anyway. If you can play, you can play. Same as coaching. Encouraged that his numbers are good against like opponents. Pretty good balance. Hopefully Narduzzi lets him roll. Agreed to see if he can recruit. The guys that stayed gotta be somewhat happy with this move.
Welcome to the Panthers!
H2P!!!
Narduzzi: Kade’s offensive approach — relentlessly fast and aggressive — is everything a defensive coordinator hates to face and the type of system our players will absolutely love. He’s an incredibly creative playcaller who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the country.
Bell: Hope our fans are ready to play fast and score faster. Hail to Pitt!
These press releases were tailored to put out the impression that the offense will not be stifled next season. At least that’s the impression that I get.
Remember the goof that came here and left 4 games in…HIGH OCTANE!!! Sounds like him. Graham I think.
Awesome NEWs, finally the “High Octane” offense we have been promised… oh wait.
I seriously doubt his former HC at WCU will throw him under the Bus like Narduzzi did Whipple, for good reasons of course.