in Pitt Football 287 Words

Top 25, Two years in a Row

Say what you want about Pat Narduzzi, but he’s just done something that hasn’t been done for 40 years. And he’s done it his way. With recruiting classes averaging somewhere in the 30’s to 50’s nationally. No other coach in America has done more with player evaluation and development. Prove me wrong.

Pitt Football Earns Top 25 Rankings in Final Polls – per the Pitt SID

 

PITTSBURGH—After concluding the season with five consecutive victories, including a pulsating win in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Pitt finished ranked in both final Top 25 polls unveiled today.

 

The Panthers placed No. 22 in both the Associated Press Poll and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

 

It marks the first time since 1982-83 that Pitt finished nationally ranked in consecutive seasons. In 2021, the Panthers placed No. 13 in both final polls.

 

Pitt finished the 2022 campaign with a 9-4 record, including a 37-35 win over UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The victory in El Paso drew national raves as one of the most exciting contests of the 2022-23 bowl season.

 

Under the direction of Coach Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers have won 20 games over the past two seasons. Pitt last achieved 20 wins over a two-year span in 1981-82.

 

The program’s ascension is only expected to continue. The Panthers anticipate the return of 18 starters from their victorious Sun Bowl lineup: eight on offense, eight on defense and two specialists. 

 

Pitt ticket information for the 2023 season is now available online or by calling (800) 643-7488. The Panthers host six games this fall, including ACC clashes with Florida State, North Carolina, Louisvilleand Boston College. The non-conference home slate features newly minted Big 12 program Cincinnati and Wofford.

86 thoughts on “Top 25, Two years in a Row”

  1. It’s going to be a challenging 2023 football season I’m sure the optimism will surely flow positively through this blog!!

    H2P

    Like

  4. He still looks like he has bad breath…just kidding!

    He’ll go down as the best HC we have ever had in modern days especially if he keep signing extensions.

    The fact the he coached a pretty depleted Pitt team to a victory over a full roster (almost) UCLA was a damn good piece of work on his account.

    His 66/41 W/L record at 60% is the best at Pitt in a long time. Gottfried ended at 62% back in ’89 and Sherrill at 84% in ’81.

    Some may say Johnny Majors was the best modern Pitt HC and his NC in ’76 was amazing. I do not think we’ll see another NC at Pitt for very long time due to the crappy changes we have seen by the NCAA ‘- but Top 25 seasons are good also.

    He’s a keeper.

    Liked by 9 people

  6. So next years schedule is absolutely brutal. Open with Wofford then Cinci. Then six road games in a row starting at WV and including ND. last four at home include FSU, Louisville with a finish with UNC. Wofford the only guaranteed win on the schedule.

    Like

  7. Well true that he did lead the team to twenty victories, he also coached in more games. Just being real. So comparing the two, the last time we finished 20-4. This two year period we were 20-7. Just sayin. It’s just wins and losses. Nice creativity by the athletic department. And if you go back, we had a 20-4 (1981/1982 combined two years), 22-2 (1980 and 1981 combined two years), and 22-2 (1979 & 1980 combined two years) over a four year stretch.

    Jackie Sherrill might be considered the best recruiter and winner of our era. I wouldn’t say modern, because we at the POV are anything but modern. Sorry guys, we are experienced. Been awhile since we have had sustained greatness.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t think anyone is putting Narduzzi in the same category as Sherrill. There will be no return to those halcyon days.

      I would also say that was a different era never to be seen again.

      The bar has been lowered considerably, not likely we will ever see a top ten team again.

      When all of the 5 star and most of the 4 star are concentrated in the elite teams hard to get in to the top twenty.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Wait a second Gordon. We were one victory away from top 10 last year, so it is doable. We win the bowl game and poof, top 10. It can happen and should right now, given the fact we are positioned in one of the worst performing divisions in P5 and there are a bunch of new coaches in it.

        Query: Does Pitt get a certain percentage of acrisure/heinz money for naming rights for their games? Or, is this lost opportunity not even negotiated? Or, did the Steelers reduce the rent by “x” amount to cover for the additional exposure Pitt gives them with home games? Following the cash here…..

        Like

        1. Yes a near top ten with an extra Covid year for our QB and a Bilitnekoff receiver. Hard to crack the top 10 with the SEC, B1G and PAC taking up most of the slots.

          Yes, the ACC is less worthy, but many teams on Pitt’s level or higher each year. Clemson will always be tough, FSU is back with Miami coming up and UNC in that group. Then you have Louisville and NCST that are usually competitive. The others have the occasional good year.

          Now with no divisions it will even be tougher for Pitt, especially with the usual non-com challenges.

          The Elite schools get the 4 and 5 star guys every year, and there are more than enough of them to take up 10 slots, that’s why I say not likely for Pitt to squeak in.

          Like

    2. Sherrill hurt his recruiting status IMO by simply leaving a God-awful QB room for Fazio after Marino left. Jackie also wouldn’t recruit Kosar at Foge’s urging.

      Pitt stays at a 9-2 level with Kosar and it forges Fazio to be the head coach still in 1987 when Major Harris would’ve been under center. The university probably never does what it did to football after 1989 with Foge still in charge. Crazy the ramifications of recruiting the most important position in sports.

      Like

  8. Yep. Ole Meatballs Gorilla Calves ain’t doing too bad. And he doesn’t have the Wannstedt stigma of lots of players in trouble with the law. Agree with Reed, he’s a keeper. Admittedly, we all have things we’d like to change about the way he does his job…….but that’s true of everyone (POVers obviously excepted so I don’t get in trouble!)

    Liked by 3 people

  9. I still don’t understand how Johnnie Majors deteriorated so much as head coach from his first to his second stint at Pitt. I could see some NCAA changes making life more difficult for him, but he was nowhere close to the National Championship HC he was the second time around. I get that he was boozing more, but his reputation should have brought the top level recruits in by then.

    Like

    1. Just looked at the Pitt schedule from 1976. We played a grand total of three ranked teams the entire year, with one being the championship bowl game. Maybe the easier schedule does work as noone complains here about the lack of difficulty during that time. We had the 56th easiest schedule that year according to sports reference.

      Our last four years strength of schedule in order from most recent to least recent were 62, 61, 67 and 66th. That’s pretty easy and also why I don’t celebrate our coach too much. That said, I love winning more than losing, I just think we should do better.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. The head coach sets the tone and the assistants try to keep the music on key. Duzzi has had some outstanding assistants and as we all know some who could not carry a half filled bucket of water. There are a number of head coaches who have had their assistants move on to outstanding careers…recently Mike Leach passed leaving a long list of successful students who became head coaches. Pitt has lost assistants to other schools because our athletic department can not match the step up in salaries offered by other P5 institutions.

    How many times have we commented on Cignetti and Borbely, Underwood and Marion?
    Is Manalac up to par? Partridge is a MUST keep and Pitt has to find the $$ to insure that he is not poached by an SEC or B1G school. Bottom line is that Duzzi needs a strong supporting cast if Pitt wants to keep on winning.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Majors’ 70s staff was best ever

    <

    div>

    Sent from my iPhone

    <

    div dir=”ltr”>

    <

    blockquote type=”cite”>

    Like

  12. Majors’ decline started at Tennessee and then he came to a Pitt institution that was no longer all about athletics. Remember, Pitt made a decisive decision to de-emphasize sports. They got too close to the sun and and got scared. Pitt decided to favor academic performance over athletic performance. Pitt’s problems the last 40 years are self inflicted. Historically, Pitt is a top 5 college program when they are all in. I wrote a lengthy comment on it back in the “Blather” days. Pitt shifted focus from athletics to academics a few times and they all coincided with a drastic decline in athletics. Pitt has found a balance but still won’t fully commit to being great athletically. Be it the BoT or Chancellor or whatever … Pitt will not fully commit to what it takes to being great. It was beyond Majors’ control. There is a reason why every coach since Foge has had the same exact ceiling. Pitt thought Majors’ name might do what you’re asking about, VOR … except, it’s always been more about having a “name” … you need the commitment from the university. The investment to be great. Without the investment you just get a prop. And that’s what Majors ended up being. Pitt, tomorrow, could turn on the lights and decide to be great and be right back at it. Pitt chooses not to. There is a price to pay to play with the big boys. Pitt decided a long time ago, that they didn’t want to play in that arena. Right or wrong, it was a decision Pitt made.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. If you look at the ACC list, Louisville does not belong in the ACC. The only reason they are in the ACC is due to their athletic program! Hopefully they start taking their academics more seriously!

      Like

    2. Pitt at 59 and PSU at 63, how sweet it is. Why not include ND, they play 6 ACC games every year and most of the other conferences only require 8-9 games a year so not much difference. That places the ACC at the highest level academically.

      Like

  16. Haba did not play a full season and as a result of his injuries, he is not going to have a chance to be invited to the combine (I could be wrong, but he is a marginal player). The best chance that he has is to shine on pro-day and get a free agent offer,

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He’s going to the East West Shrine game, gets a week to perform in front of NFL scouts. He has a better shot than some Pitt players declaring.

      Like

  17. I agree with everything you said Tossing. Except for maybe ND, very few of the top athletic colleges are also academic leaders. Stanford and Northwestern used to fall into this category but no more. Duke is slipping now.

    It is not about the money. These schools have plenty. The top academics at these institutions don’t want to be upstaged by athletics. Deep down, I think they don’t like athletes and the attention they get.

    Like

    1. Very rare. There are some. UVA invests in basketball. UNC in basketball. Duke in basketball … Pitt had a chance to keep investing in basketball. Haha. In the era of NIL you’ll see less academic focused institutions competing in football. Stanford is in for a world of hurt.

      Like

  18. Haba is playing in the East West Shrine game. I thought he had already declared. Guess not. The East West game will give him some NFL exposure, too.

    Like

  19. On Majors I vs Majors II,

    Majors I was a young, successful rising star with a gift for motivating kids to want to play for him. If you didn’t see it you can’t appreciate what an impressive motivator he was. And as Tossing points out, the university was all in.

    Majors II was a not so young coach fired by his Alma mater who’s gift had not aged well. And the university expected a miracle without the commitment.

    He was a Pitt man even after his dismissal. I used to see him in the stand at Pitt games long after he was let go. A class act.

    Liked by 5 people

  20. I don’t recall Majors having good recruiting classes the second time around. Why was he booted from Tennessee?

    Like

    1. Because they weren’t winning and there were rumors of his drinking. A great guy but the worst coaching choice other than Haywood ever at Pitt. Lucky that Walt came next and brought in Fitz. When Majors came back the second time, no money had been put into facilities since he left and it was another low point in Pitt Football.

      Like

  21. How fortunes change, when UNC handed us our fourth loss they were on their way to 9-1 with a freshman phenom QB and all the 4 and 5 star guys Mack had been stockpiling. They went on to lose their last 4 and finish out of the top 25.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I heard the 2nd time around PITT team was so low on players Johnny supposedly ran and add in the paper to get players

    Like

      1. Majors was my era. I think he tried getting kickers to come out. He was not recruiting from the student body. Haha. I knew a bunch of guys who tried walking on and none of them made it.

        Like

    1. Those were bad days and were about to get worse. The neglect of the football program over the previous 10 years was astonishing. More eye-opening was only 69 scholarship players during the days of the 105 limit. Too bad there was no portal and a free transfer rule.

      What was Posvar thinking?

      Like

  24. That’s a really sad story about Johnny Major’s return. A 58 year old coach walking into a bad situation with his mind clearly embittered by his previous employer. Pitt let him down when he was apparently eager for a chance to rejuvenate his career.

    He was set up to fail, but he never held a grudge and in later years said he never should have left the first time. A bigger question is how did they get Walt to take the job?

    Like

  25. ​​ ​​​​​
    January 10, 2022​

    Pitt Football Earns Top 25 Rankings in Final Polls

    PITTSBURGH—After concluding the season with five consecutive victories, including a pulsating win in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Pitt finished ranked in both final Top 25 polls unveiled today.

    The Panthers placed No. 22 in both the Associated Press Poll and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.

    It marks the first time since 1982-83 that Pitt finished nationally ranked in consecutive seasons. In 2021, the Panthers placed No. 13 in both final polls.

    Pitt finished the 2022 campaign with a 9-4 record, including a 37-35 win over UCLA in the Sun Bowl. The victory in El Paso drew national raves as one of the most exciting contests of the 2022-23 bowl season.

    Under the direction of Coach Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers have won 20 games over the past two seasons. Pitt last achieved 20 wins over a two-year span in 1981-82.

    The program’s ascension is only expected to continue. The Panthers anticipate the return of 18 starters from their victorious Sun Bowl lineup: eight on offense, eight on defense and two specialists.

    Pitt ticket information for the 2023 season is now available online or by calling (800) 643-7488. The Panthers host six games this fall, including ACC clashes with Florida State, North Carolina, Louisville and Boston College. The non-conference home slate features newly minted Big 12 program Cincinnati and Wofford.

    Like

  26. MaJors was a very heavy drinker his first time around Pitt, I was a bartender at the Encore Bar in Shadyside back then and Majors was routinely the last to leave at 2:00 am. Many times he would then go to The Mardi Gras bar for another hour or two (it illegally stayed open until 4:00 am or so).

    Although never saw this on a pre-game night. Also, he would rarely talk about Pitt or his team but would converse on all other schools, sports and players.

    While I was stationed elsewhere his 2nd time at Pitt I heard from others who worked the bars on Walnut Street that he hadn’t changed much.

    Not trying to slander the guy but this was no secret to anyone who knew him back then…

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I’d take Pitt +8.5 tonight, a good bit more than what I expected the line to be and think we should be competitive and even have a chance

    will this start Pitt’s fall back to earth?

    there’s been a lot of love for Capel these last few days with COTY being mentioned on ESPN and of course ACCN

    Like

    2. Capel said not academics, injury or punishment related. He was very clear on that so you’d think you’d have to believe him. Not a good look if it comes out he lied publicly.

      Like

    3. Academics is my guess as well. They may be keeping it quiet because they are hoping he can get in a quick self-study course to raise his GPA above the minimum.

      Like

  31. I was at Pitt during the Majors era and had a fake ID and being in a fraternity had friends that spanned every college age group and year of education. Majors was not partying on campus or any bars in proximity to campus. Everyone would have known. That means no Oakland, North Oakland, South Oakland, Shady Side, Squirrel Hill, Strip, or South Side. If he was drinking at bars they were downtown. There were rumors about Majors drinking but never any sightings.

    I was at Pitt from 93′-98′. Yes, I redshirted. Lol. But, this sounds like the old timers I would talk to at Peters who said they did coke with Marino. Everyone always had an “I did coke with Marino” story. Lol.

    Sometimes the legend can be greater than the truth.

    He was probably boozing hard. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. But, he wasn’t doing it publicly. Maybe, in his Pitt Stadium office. Or at home in his study. But, he was not visible on campus. Ever.

    People I’ve run into randomly on campus. Fred Rogers, Walt Harris, Dan Marino, Schottenheimer, Willard, Stache … but never Majors and I knew guys on the football team and regular students in proximity to the team. And I lived in the fraternity houses just above Pitt Stadium next to a brand new Sutherland Hall. We used to hit golf balls into the stadium at night.

    Majors wasn’t one to just peruse campus. Especially, bars. That’s not to say he wasn’t a drinker because even football players and people around the team will tell you he was. But, he wasn’t doing it in public.

    Like

    1. One guy not associated with Pitt who was on campus all of the time … Jagr. He was always on Pitt’s campus. He was a very regular patron. So much so, you would have thought he went to Pitt or worked at one of the bars. Always hanging outside with the bouncers.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Perhaps Hugley is being prepared for major knee surgery! One needs to strengthen the quads and ligaments around the knee before most surgeries. Success can depend on it. It’s obvious he’s thru for this year.

    Like

  33. Can any potential portal transfers still enroll for Pitt’s winter semester? It seems the longer they wait the more classroom time they miss (if that’s even important anymore). I would think they would want to be in school for spring practice. I also wonder how many players end up without a follow on scholar ship offer?

    Like

  34. Still troubled over the Majors saga. Reed and Tossing seem to have different recollections of his public drinking. Majors had to see that the Pitt facilities were below standard when he took the job the second time. Maybe he was desperate to get another HC job, or maybe he was promised upgrades that never happened.

    The rebuild would have taken much time, and called for a much younger coach who didn’t have the health and drinking problems. This was definitely a stopgap hire to stop the bleeding. I have two questions to put this into more perspective: When was the Cost Center indoor facility built, and when was the Golden Panthers organization disbanded?

    Like

    2. There were facility upgrades done at Pitt Stadium under Majors. If you were on the field staring at where the teams came out of the tunnel, it was to the left of that. Players even came out of there for games when it was completed and it had a new weight room and hydrotherapeutic facilities. It was pretty nice.

      Made me wonder why the stadium couldn’t have had more work done over a two-year period and done much sooner. Put in grass, chop off a portion of the top section all around and renovate it with better restroom facilities and more food options. Also, upgrade the press box.

      Like

    3. There were definitely rumors of his drinking problems but I’m just saying he didn’t do it publicly in the 90’s. In the 70’s I don’t doubt Reed at all. He was there for it. There were definitely rumors from players and from fans. I’m just saying he didn’t frequent the local bar scene the second time around. He wasn’t a visible head coach on campus his second go around.

      Like

      1. I like Vincent D. too. But the fumbles became worrisome…

        Hope he finds a good spot. Someone’s going to be pleasantly surprised by him (as long as he holds onto the ball)…

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 3 people

  36. I have church duties tonight and will not be availed to watch or comment til second half.

    If I was Capel, I’d be doing nothing but practicing offense to my post players. Defenses are just abandoning our inside and overplaying Pitt’s shooters. I’d assign Fede and Diaz to an offensive area from foul line to the low blocks. No more coming out to top of the key to set hedges! Then run pick and rolls, teach drop steps and any post play that increases scoring.

    We must get scoring from our big men to make our outside shooters effective!

    H2P. Have a great game!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Dan,you are 100% on target. Points in the paint have been a major problem for Pitt with Hugely on the sideline. The Canary Island Brothers are like whisps in the wind against more physical players. FF is still a work in progress with tremendous upside but he misses quite a few bunnies. If Pitt has to rely heavily on 3-pointers to win our goose is cooked. Yes, there are times when every shot seems to find paydirt (old timers with a Philly background will remember the great announcer, Les Keiter>>”He tickled the twine”.
      Last but not least we need a strong point guard….DJ must keep his nose clean.

      Like

      1. Yes, but Pitt’s next back door cut will be their first. I think one of the reasons Fede and Diaz clear out so often is to allow that. In this day and age back door cuts are considered “sissy” basketball!

        I ran the Princeton Offense when I coached AAU because we were so outmatched physically!

        Liked by 1 person

  37. Some pondering on Hugely. TT mention him getting in shape. I agree, I think he decided he wasn’t playing until he was totally healthy and in shape because it was hurting his future value. The trainers can clear him to play, that doesn’t mean he is 100%. Maybe he was smart enough to say, “You’re throwing me out there not 100%, I am overweight, not in game shape and look like a fool. I’m not playing until I say I am ready.” Totally hypothetical but possible.

    Like

  38. Thanks pittdad for the Cost Center and Golden Panther dates. Majors coached the second time from 1993-1996, so it appears he had the advantage of an indoor facility and the Golden Panthers organization during his second stint. Yet the recruiting was poor, maybe because he didn’t go on the road to recruit.

    It’s sad that Majors name and coaching reputation were sullied by the second stint, and he didn’t make it to the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in addition to making it as a player.

    Like

    1. The Cost center was a debacle as an indoor football practice facility. It was way too small. I believe a player was paralyzed at practice falling head first into the wall because the sidelines were so close. I remember Major’s stating that he wished they would had consulted him on the design.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. So Pitt traded a Davis for a Davis. I love the portal kid. Great addition and fits Cignetti’s offense better. I don’t see Hammond carrying the load for an entire season. He has had his share of injuries.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Good post, Maestro.

    Back when Duzz was hired, there was some reasonable skepticism about whether the Michigan State practice of developing 3 stars could be repeated and if Narduzzi’s defensive scheme would work in the ACC.

    I think its is fair to say that Pitt has done rather well despite not landing as many 4 star caliber players as we’d all like.

    Also think that Duzz has been able to largely stick to his defensive philosophy. Hiring Charlie Partridge was a key enabling factor in making that happen.

    Now, if he & Cignetti can do similar things with the offense…..

    Liked by 1 person

  42. Well, I just made a contribution to Alliance 412, hoping that it may help us get a 4-star sometime in the future. 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I gave some to a couple guys, some Kedon guy and Jordan something or other, I forget their last names, hope they are good and it pays off

      Like

  43. Major I did too and I credit MM for his marketing skills.

    I appreciate that we have all had our problems with HCPN, me too since I used the moniker Nardummy for some time. However, with the lack of an OCS, relatively lower attendance, NIL explosion, portal transfers I think HCPN has done a very good job managing all of the revolutionary changes to NCAA football.

    Part of his secret appears to be the sense of togetherness that he’s built within the program. You hear the players mention this alot, and even Patti, who in many ways got a bad deal, had nothing but positive comments about the coach in his Panther-Lair interview.

    Lyke did absolutely nothing to help in 2023 with 3 very tough OOC teams so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a drop in wins but hopefully it is temporary as future schedules make more sense.

    Like

Comments are closed.