Pat Narduzzi has reportedly made another move to shake up his Pitt offensive coaching staff.
Pitt has reportedly parted ways with veteran tight ends coach Tim Salem, the FootballScoop reported. It’s somewhat of a surprising decision considering Salem’s importance as a recruiter, but with a stale offense, it’s not shocking that Narduzzi is shaking up the staff.
Salem, 62, was one of Narduzzi’s original hires back in 2015, and he spent the last nine seasons as the tight ends coach and a key recruiter in the Northeast region.
Salem was a key recruiter when it came to landing Kenny Pickett, Izzy Abanikanda, Jason Pinnock, SirVocea Dennis, Solomon DeShields, Carter Warren, Samuel Okunlola, Maurice Ffrench and Matt Goncalves.
But when it came to recruiting tight ends, and tight end production over the last two seasons, there was a disconnect for some reason.
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. Western Carolina offensive coordinator Kade 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.
Salem has spent decades as a college coach, arriving at Pitt from Illinois (serving as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach), and he’s had stops at UCF, Ohio State, Purdue, Colorado State and Arizona State.
Salem will likely not be the last offensive coach to be let go this offseason as Narduzzi and Bell revamp the offense. It’s a tough situation, but it was one that was needed with the stagnation of the Panthers’ offense.
Salem was the longest-tenured assistant on Narduzzi’s staff, one of the original members alongside running backs coach and special teams coordinator Andre Powell.
Best of luck to Coach Salem, but this was long over due. Recruiting can be replaced, but TE production has been substandard for years. Turn Bartholomew loose now!
Good recruiting is difficult to replace. Tight end production is a result of play calling. Best of luck to whoever is going to recruit his area.
I’m hoping that was a consideration. The article confirms the talent he brought in. This one is a surprise to me. The offense has stagnated. Not sure how you pin that on the TE coach. Good luck, Coach Salem. H2P!
Salem helped get Krull to the NFL…..after he was a dud at Florida. After that Cignetti came and the TE deminished.
Good luck Coach Salem. Remember not that long ago a trip to the Mercedes Benz Stadium.
Nonsensical move. The guy has been an ace recruiter in Jersey, and N. Y.. I hope they have a competent, proven replacement.
The Great Cignetti Fall Out continues… I would can them all. Anyone associated with the Stink of Cignetti gets the ax…Pat should thank his lucky stars Heather gave him that gratuitous ( and unnecessary) extension…
There seems to be openings now for someone with a strong PA high school connection on the coaching staff.
Sorry, but I disagree with this move.
Tim Salem’s recruiting knowledge/skills in NJ & NY. I believe cannot be duplicated.
I wish you the best Tim….H2P!
It’s a youth movement ..change is a good thing these guys were in the business a long time … retirement is in evitable
These guys are all in their 60’s..Salem,Borbs,Powell.I wont argue the experience that Narduzzi is firing.I just think it’s way past tine to inject some youth on this staff..Bell can hire his guys to teach and inplement his offense.And who knows.Perhaps the new coaches coming in are hungrier recruiters..We shall see but Im excited Narduzzi is doing something about it.Because a repeat of last tear will not be too good for him
Phil Jurkovec practiced four Weeks at tight-end, give him the job!
This might be a Market Level Reset for having a dud of a season, turnover Reset of the Salaries. Duzz might he taking a cut too.
The other 2 firings I can understand, but this one not so much. Good recruiter, good position coach I figured him and Underwood would be the 2 safe ones on the offense. It’s not his fault the TEs were under used and rarely targeted. But who knows maybe there were things going on behind the scenes that haven’t come out yet. Best of luck to him, hopefully Pitt can find someone who can match or exceed what he did.
The most insightful comment on this board.
I suspect this move was not driven by Narduzzi at all. Bell will have carte blanche to build the offensive coaching staff the way he wants too. Otherwise, releasing Salem, a top recruiter, doesn’t make sense.