Pat Narduzzi has made yet another change to the Pitt offensive coaching staff.
Andre Powell is out as the Pitt running backs coach and special teams coordinator after nine seasons in the positions, and he is the third offensive staffer to be let go today. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the news.
Tight ends coach Tim Salem and offensive line coach Dave Borbely have also been relieved of their duties, leaving new offensive Kade Bell and wide receiver coach Tiquan Underwood as the holdovers for the new staff.
Powell came under fire during the 2023 season for his running back usage, splitting carries to a fault, and the special teams unit — the punting unit — has been a disaster over the last two seasons. Despite some success at times, it was time for a change to be made at both positions.
Powell has also coached at Maryland, Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia, Rhode Island, VMI, Army, South Carolina and Indiana in a coaching career dating back to the late 1980s.
Powell, along with Salem, were two of the longest-tenured staffers on Narduzzi’s staff, joining him upon Narduzzi’s hire in 2015.
Narduzzi was forced to part ways with former offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. in November, following the complete offensive breakdown in 2023, and it’s trickling down to the offensive staff. Bell was hired as his replacement, and his brief tenure at the helm of the offense, it’s certainly been a breath of fresh air.
With Salem, Borbely and Powell out, it’s the start of a new era of offense at Pitt. And Narduzzi will have his chance to almost completely revamp the offensive staff.
I think we’re seeing a change from old school to new. Not much to see here. Kabe probably wanted the ability to hire guys he knew could teach the techniques he requires for his offense. Change can be good and each of the assistants let go today had some good years, but their units were definitely inconsistent at best.
Punting was dreadful this year. Of course Powell probably had to play Junko. The Aussie kid was pretty good before him. And PK was pretty good, mostly. But that became politics too.
I have been telling everyone since Bell was hired, there would be other staff moves, or he wouldn’t have taken the job. The AD was involved and knew major changes had to be made. Bell will have control of the offense and Partridge will control defense. Until AD makes the next change. Watch the offensive assistants recruit now.
Change is easy. Enhancement is hard. Fingers are crossed that Bell/Lyke can lure some incredibly talented, and loyal, offensive coaches to the staff.
This one bothers me the most. Punting was awful and special teams in general took a step back, but over the years, I thought he proved his worth with solid RB performance. Last year was bad, but I put that more on Cignetti and poor line play. Best of luck and thank you to Coach Powell
Powell’s running-back-by-committee approach kept that group from realizing their full potential. It was near consensus that Hammond was the best RB but was totally misused. Derrick Davis is loaded with talent and was not really given a fair shot as a backup. The ceiling was much higher for the RB group than was displayed. Powell got lucky with Abanikanda, and even used him in a committee system until it became obvious that Abanikanda was a dominant force (wouldn’t be surprised if Narduzzi felt the need to interject at this point). Punting was indeed, absolutely awful. Thus it speaks volumes that… Read more »
Well, Narduzzi has ditched coaches Cignetti, Salem, Borbs and now Powell, hired a young innovative OC, recruited a solid ’24 class, made some nice portal additions while holding onto all but a few veteran players and has a four-star transfer QB on campus.
Damn, quickly running out of things to bitch about this off-season (guess there’s always the on-campus stadium thing).
On campus is too miserable to come here and spew his nonsense after no game James proves again what a failure he is at Pedo State lol
Thanks for the reply, but I was actually referring to the on-campus stadium debate that has been raging periodically among Pitt fans since the day that the old Pitt Stadium was razed.
As for the other “On Campus Stadium” you’re absolutely correct.
Yea, his negativity is NOT welcomed here.
We have enough of that with true Pitt fans, lol.
H2P!!!
Figured after the season was over there would be little if any excitement to the off-season and into the start of next year, but Pitt somehow found a way to build a little intrest going into next season.
As far as an on campus stadium goes, it’d be nice but I don’t see that happening again for a very long time, if ever. Close to Oakland maybe, but not on campus.
Thank Heather Lyke. Her pattern of not tolerating losing programs at the University speaks for itself. The lady is a decisive change machine and thus someone who needs to be held onto.
Our special teams made a lot of mistakes over the last 5+ years. Almost half of other team’s punts hit the ground and rolled for an extra 20 yds – and trying to down a punt inside the 15 was like watching the bad news bears! Not to mention not playing Hammond most of the time and starting a below average HS punter. Other than that he was great.
So glad we are making changes! Good or bad, at least we are trying to move forward and holding everyone accountable.
H2P!
Conveniently timed until after signing day
Yes, Narduzzi better find some ace recruiters.
Winning and NIL infusion will fix your concerns