Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi made some tough decisions on Friday by making some huge changes to his offensive coaching staff.
Two of those moves involved coaches that were members of his original coaching staff back in 2015, running backs/special teams coach Andre Powell and tight ends coach Tim Salem.
These moves, along with the prior dismissal of offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, Jr., were an obvious reaction to the Panthers’ struggles on offense over the past couple of seasons. The other part that stands out is the age of all four coaches that were dismissed: Cignetti 58 years old, Salem 62 years old, Powell 57 years old and Dave Borbely 64 years old.
It appears as though Narduzzi wants fresh, young blood as a part of his 2024 coaching staff. His first offseason hiring was 30-year-old Kade Bell as offensive coordinator.
The other aspect to consider is that this could also be an attempt to improve their recruiting. However, if that’s the case, it’s going to be hard to find someone that’s done a better job than Salem. Over the years, Salem was someone that Pitt fans were quick to criticize for the lack of consistent depth and production at the tight end position, but the program will no doubt miss his results on the recruiting trail. Salem’s prime recruiting territories were New Jersey, New York, Connecticut/Massachusetts, Florida and certain territories out West.
Here are just some of the players that Salem helped recruit to Pitt over the last 8 years:
LB Phil Campbell (New Jersey)
WR Maurice Ffrench (New Jersey)
OT Carter Warren (New Jersey)
C Owen Drexel (New Jersey)
QB Kenny Pickett (New Jersey)
QB Nick Patti (New Jersey)
LB SirVocea Dennis (New Jersey)
OT Matt Goncalves (New York)
OL Jason Collier (New Jersey)
RB Izzy Abanikanda (New York)
LB Solomon DeShields (New Jersey)
TE Gavin Bartholomew (Pennsylvania)
DB Noah Biglow (Florida)
DE Samuel Okunlola (Massachusetts)
LB Kyle Louis (New Jersey)
DE Jimmy Scott (New York)
WR Israel Polk (California)
OL Tai Ray (Florida)
So a bunch of 3 star recruits…not hard to land. The success Pitt had with these players was their development.
Why is age even being brought up? Apparently Pat saw a need to upgrade his staff and took steps to do so.
Maybe Lyke adjusted Staff pay to last Season’s attendance Revenue drop. Chuck the Older higher paid Dudes. Follow the money instead of the on-field performance. Duzz might be down some Coin too.
psssst season tickets sales were not down last year seats were sold, nobody came this year, 24-25 will tell the story thought you knew that
There are literally hundreds of “Turbo” Tims out there.
Buh bye
New blood and high energy needed. Expiration dates have arrived. Salem will not be missed. Making a story out of nothing.
Decent recruiter, but a lousy coach our tight ends are mostly non existent
Maybe, maybe not but it won’t be hard to replace his coaching.
Why are we lamenting the guys that are gone (who were past their expiration dates a couple years ago) and not looking into who they are potentially bringing in to replace them?
I’ll play Devil’s Advocate on this one.,..
This coaching move makes the least sense to me, thus far (Powell’s release, the most sense). Salem’s recruiting success will be difficult to replicate by someone else in the TE coach position. One would have to put the TE room disaster more on Cignetti’s shoulders. Salem’s TE room/Bartholomew performed quite well when the offense was being led by Whipple.
Whipple was the difference.
Seems like Pat is doing pretty well with the portal
2 players said: they couldn’t “relate” to the older coaches. Borbely should have been gone 3 years ago – he was so blind he couldn’t drive nor let alone view game film. Some guys quit going to his film sessions and went to the others (blame Narduzzi for ‘blind’ loyalty). Conversely, we should thank Salem for his service – he worked hard with the tools and $ he had.
what was his $? thought so
out of those top recruits from the past 8 yrs, how many are excelling in the nfl? Is there an all-pro or pro bowler on that list? Salem was an ok recruiter but he didn’t bring in any 4/5 stars that went on to success in the nfl. Bring in young 20-30 yr olds that know how to use social media. People b%#$@ng about no loyalty to old coaches that are way past their prime.
yea Saban finally retired. clown