Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi will become the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers, according to Sports Illustrated. The deal has not been finalized and is not expected to be announced until after the holidays, but both sides have agreed to terms.
Narduzzi is widely considered to be one of the best coordinators in the country, and won the 2013 Frank Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant coach. His Michigan State defenses have finished in the top 10 in the country in all of the top defensive categories during the last four years. He became Michigan State's defensive coordinator in 2007.
He will be replacing Paul Chryst, who became Wisconsin's head coach after going 19-19 with the Panthers over the past three years.
Marshall head coach Doc Holliday, Pittsburgh assistant Joe Rudolph, and Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell were all also being considered for the job. Narduzzi interviewed for the Colorado State job as well, but declined interest in order to pursue Pitt.
The Panthers went 6-6 this past season, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC. They'll be playing in the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2 against Houston.
Back to the Pitt Panthers Newsfeed