Former Pitt Football QB Alex Van Pelt Hired as Patriots OC

Former Pitt football quarterback Alex Van Pelt found his new job in the NFL, as the New England Patriots hired him as their offensive coordinator on Thursday.

He will join new Patriots head coach Jarod Mayo as a member of his first-year staff. The Patriots fired long-time head coach Bill Belichick at the end of the season, after back-t0-back years finishing below .500 and a 4-13 record last season.

Van Pelt previously worked as the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the past four seasons. He did not have play-calling duties, as head coach Kevin Stefanski held those responsibilities. Van Pelt did have play-calling duties in the 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs.

Stefanski fired Van Pelt, along with Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney at the end of the Browns 2023 season, ending Van Pelt’s tenure there.

Van Pelt was quarterback for Pitt football from 1989 through 1992 and when he graduated, Van Pelt held school passing records previously set by Hall of Famer Dan Marino. His single season record of 3,163 passing yards in 1992 stood until 2003 when former quarterback Rod Rutherford broke it by throwing for 3,679 yards.

Following his collegiate career, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Van Pelt in the 8th Round of the 1993 NFL Draft. They cut him and he then served on the practice squad for the Kansas Chiefs. He would play for the Buffalo Bills for 10 seasons from 1994-2003.  Van Pelt made 11 starts, appeared in 31 games and threw 16 career touchdowns in his 11-year NFL career.

Van Pelt spent one season as the  also worked as quarterbacks coach for the Cincinnati Bengals (2018-19) and the Green Bay Packers (2014-17) with Aaron Rodgers under center. He also worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and (2010-11) and for the Buffalo Bills (2006-09) in a variety of roles.