Pitt Football Adds New Defensive Staffer, Former D-III HC

Pat Narduzzi has revamped the Pitt coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but there have been some major changes on the defensive side of the ball, too.

The departure of Charlie Partridge, who left for the defensive line coach job with the Indianapolis Colts, was a seismic move — as was the elevation of Cory Sanders to assistant head coach. But there have been a few assistants added, too, and there’s one more coming.

Caleb Padilla — the former co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Lenoir-Rhyne — announced on social media that he’s joining the Pitt coaching staff in 2024 as a defensive assistant.

Excited to have joined the Pitt defensive staff for the 2024 season! pic.twitter.com/2gUzUuS5yV

— Caleb Padilla (@Coach_CPadilla) July 22, 2024

Lenoir-Rhyne was wildly successful in the first season of Padilla’s tenure as co-DC, ranking first in the South Atlantic Conference in scoring defense, total defense, run defense and third down defense. The L-R defense allowed just 14 points per game.

Padilla initially arrived at L-R before the 2022 season, serving as the linebackers coach before being promoted to co-DC.

Padilla has a lot of experience at the Division II and III level, serving as the outside linebackers coach/defensive ends coach at Colorado School of Mines (2008-10), defensive backs coach and then defensive coordinator at Albion College (2010-13) and defensive coordinator at Notre Dame (Oh.) (2014-15).

Prior to his tenure at Lenoir-Rhyne, he spent six seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Luther College (D-III) before being elevated to head coach in 2017.

Padilla played his college ball at Winona State (D-II) from 2001-05, serving as a defensive back.

It remains to be seen exactly how Padilla will be utilized in 2024, but he has experience working at all three levels of a defense. And he should be an asset wherever he’s utilized.