Tiquan Underwood accepted a position as the assistant wide receivers coach with the New England Patriots earlier this week, and it was a journey that came full circle for the former Patriots wideout.
Underwood, who served as the Pitt receivers coach over the last two seasons, accepted the position during the Super Bowl over the weekend, and he penned a goodbye on social media to Pitt and his players.
“It was truly a honor & a privilege to coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Thank you Heather Lyke and Pat Narduzzi for the opportunity. What makes this place special is the people. From day one my family and I were greeted with open arms and for that I am forever grateful.
“Nothing but love for my guys the Waffle House & also the rest of the team… y’all know what it is! I hope I left a lasting impression & a positive example for you all. Best of luck this upcoming season and get that win vs. WVU in the Backyard Brawl. Coach Wood Out.”
It was a disappointing loss for Pitt, considering he turned down a position on the Syracuse staff earlier in the offseason, and he was expected to serve a major role alongside new offensive coordinator Kade Bell.
“One thing about coach Wood is he has great relationships with the players, and you can see that,” Bell said last week. “Kids smile when they see him He has great energy. So, that’s been awesome with him, just having a relationship with him and seeing the way he has relationships is the same way I want my players to view me.”
Underwood was originally hired as the new wide receivers coach in February of 2022, and he served as a key recruiter on the staff and helped the wide receiving corps flourish over the second half of the 2023 season — turning around what had been an underwhelming unit over his first season-and-a-half.
Jared Wayne blossomed into a 1,000-yard wide receiver in 2022, and after a slow start from Bub Means last season, he emerged as one of the better wide receivers in the ACC down the stretch — opting to eventually test his luck in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Pitt features a receiving corps that has potential but will need a player or two to step up as legitimate difference-makers in Bell’s new up-tempo offense. Konata Mumpfield, DaeDae Reynolds and Kenny Johnson are set to return in 2024, and a group of young wideouts in Che Nwabuko, Izzy Polk, Lamar Seymore and Zion Fowler-El have been supplemented by WCU transfers Raphael Williams and Censere Lee.
The 2024 recruiting class featured two wideouts, three-star Cameron Monteiro from Brockton, Mass. and three-star Tyreek Robinson from Shreveport, La. It wasn’t the biggest class, but it will help supplement a large class of 2023.
Pitt is already in the process of searching for a new wide receivers coach to replace Underwood, and with new coaches across the offensive staff, it will be an entirely new unit by the time the season opener rolls around in August.
Eraserhead did nothing at Pitt to warrant an NFL gig. But…it don’t matter.
I am a bit confused with the aggressive comment. Does his appearance bother you that it warrants a comment like that?
Farewell Christopher Reid. Onward to a different House Party.
I see what you did there!
I am at a loss to see much success from the WR corps in the two years. They were doing well before him both in recruiting and on the field. Good luck, but seems replaceable.
What we saw during his tenure was coach Cignetti’s offensive philosophy making it more difficult for coach Wood to recruit receivers. I believe he did the best he could given the circumstances.
There is soooo much that goes way beyond the scenes we see. We did have a lot less drops since he arrived.
Recruiting is the biggest issue, since HS kids loved him. He was very well liked and respected, so hopefully we can get someone just as good or even better.
Or… pay more NIL money like everyone else!
H2P!!!
He did a good job recruiting considering it was a run heavy offense. In addition, I believe he developed the players he had fairly well. Blessings to coach Wood. I am confident that we can find a talented replacement.
Pitt don’t go hiring Limas Sweed for WR’s Coach.
In all seriousness though the kid had all the tools but making the catch in the NFL got to be a psychological thing like Pedro Alvarez throwing to first base.