Pat Narduzzi Named Head Football Coach at Pittsburgh
12/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Michigan State assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has been named the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh, the Panther Athletic Department announced Friday.
Narduzzi was officially introduced at a press conference Friday in Pittsburgh.
Narduzzi will coach in his final game at Michigan State in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic as the No. 8 Spartans take on No. 5 Baylor Thursday, Jan. 1 in Arlington, Texas.
"I want to congratulate Pat Narduzzi on his appointment as head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh," said eighth-year Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio. "Pat has been my defensive coordinator for the last 11 years, including the past eight seasons here at Michigan State. He's one of five coaches who have been here from the start (at MSU since 2007), so he's played an integral part in helping to build the foundation of our program.
"The success we've enjoyed over the last eight seasons, both collectively and on the defensive side of the football, has afforded Pat with this opportunity to become a head coach in a Power 5 Conference. That's a tremendous accomplishment, and he'll do an outstanding job at Pittsburgh. We wish him nothing but the best.
"Following today's press conference in Pittsburgh, Pat will rejoin the Spartans and serve as our defensive coordinator for one last game, in the Cotton Bowl against Baylor. It's an opportunity for Pat to finish what he started with this senior class and help launch his program at Pittsburgh.
"As I've stated on numerous occasions, staff continuity has been a cornerstone for our sustained success at Michigan State, and it will remain a vital constant as we continue to move forward."
Since his arrival with Dantonio, Narduzzi has helped develop the Spartans into one of the premier defensive teams in the nation.
Michigan State, which has ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and Top 10 in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision the past three seasons in total defense and rushing defense, is on pace for another Top 10 finish in both categories. MSU enters the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic ranked third in the Big Ten and seventh in the NCAA FBS in total defense (293.5 ypg.) and sixth in the FBS in rushing defense (97.5 ypg.). MSU ranked No. 6 in total defense in 2011, No. 4 in 2012 and No. 2 in 2013, and No. 9 in rushing defense in 2011, No. 8 in 2012 and No. 2 in 2013. Michigan State and Florida are the only schools in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense every season since 2011 (including 2014). In addition, MSU is the only school in the FBS to rank in the Top 10 in total defense and rushing defense the past four seasons (including 2014).
Michigan State, which has ranked in the FBS Top 10 in scoring defense in 2011, 2012 and 2013, is currently 12th in the FBS in scoring defense (19.9 ppg.) through 12 games in 2014. MSU has allowed an average of 18.02 points per game over the last five seasons, which ranks as the fourth-best scoring defense average of any FBS team since 2010.
The Spartans are also currently ranked No. 1 in the FBS in turnover margin (+1.67 per game). MSU is +20 in the turnover department and has forced 33 turnovers this season (16 fumbles, 17 interceptions), which is tied for third most in the FBS. MSU also ranks among the FBS leaders in passing efficiency defense (fourth with 102.9 rating) and pass defense (25th at 196.0 ypg.).
During Narduzzi's tenure at MSU, his players have earned All-Big Ten honors 62 times, including 12 different first-team selections, and first-team All-America accolades on five occasions. A total of eight Spartan defensive players have been drafted in Narduzzi's tenure, including first-round pick Darqueze Dennard in 2014.
The Spartans feature three first-team All-Big Ten selections on defense in 2014, including the Big Ten Defensive Back for the second year in a row, in safety Kurtis Drummond. Junior defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun garnered first-team accolades for the second straight season, while junior cornerback Trae Waynes was also a first-team honoree. Calhoun, Drummond and Waynes have all been named to various All-America teams, including Drummond, who landed on the Football Writers Association of America First Team. Junior linebacker Taiwan Jones was a second-team choice by the coaches, while junior linebacker Ed Davis and senior defensive lineman Marcus Rush were named honorable mention.
The foundation of Michigan State's defense is stopping the run, and the 2014 Spartans are no different. MSU has held eight opponents under 100 yards rushing this season, including five under 50 yards. Michigan State has finished in the Top 25 nationally in rushing defense four of the past five seasons (24th in 2009; ninth in 2011; eighth in 2012; second in 2013). Since the beginning of 2011, Michigan State has held 33 opponents under 100 rushing yards (seven in 2011; eight in 2012; 10 in 2013; eight in 2014), which ranks second most in the FBS (Alabama: 37).
Narduzzi has been named the National Coordinator of the Week four times in his career - three for his game plans in wins over Michigan (2010, 2011, 2013), including last season, when the Wolverines were sacked seven times and held to a school-record low minus-48 yards rushing, and also for his role in helping MSU defeat No. 2 Ohio State in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game.
Narduzzi helped construct the No. 1 defense in the Big Ten for the third consecutive year in 2013. The Spartans led the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense for 13 straight weeks and finished the season ranked No. 2 in the FBS, allowing just 252.2 yards per game. MSU was the only school to rank in the top three in the four major defensive stat categories: No. 2 in total defense, No. 2 in rushing defense (86.6 ypg.), No. 3 in scoring defense (13.2 ppg.) and No. 3 in pass defense (165.6 ypg.). In addition, the Spartans led the FBS in pass efficiency defense (92.3 rating) and ranked No. 2 in opponent third-down conversions (.279) and No. 5 in first-downs defense (14.3 pg). MSU's defense allowed just 4.04 yards per play, which also ranked No. 1 in the FBS.
Michigan State led the Big Ten in nine defensive stat categories, including total defense and rushing defense for the third year in a row. Since the Big Ten awarded conference stat champions in 1985 for overall games, MSU is the first team to win three straight titles in total defense and rushing defense.
Narduzzi was named the winner of the 2013 Frank Broyles Award, which is awarded annually to the nation's top assistant coach. He is the first MSU coach to win the award, which started in 1996. Narduzzi also was named the national defensive coordinator of the year by FootballScoop.
For a complete look at Narduzzi's coaching career, please visit his bio on msuspartans.com.
THE NARDUZZI FILE
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE: College - Graduate assistant coach (1990-91) and receivers coach (1992) at Miami-Ohio; linebackers (1993-97) and defensive coordinator (1998-99) at Rhode Island; linebackers coach at Northern Illinois (2000-02); defensive coordinator at Miami-Ohio (2003); defensive coordinator at Cincinnati (2004-06), defensive coordinator at Michigan State (2007-14).
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in physical education from Rhode Island in 1990; master's degree in sports psychology from Miami-Ohio in 1992.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE: College - Three-year starter at linebacker at Rhode Island (1987-89); one year at linebacker at Youngstown State (1985).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: Coach - 2003 GMAC Bowl, 2004 Fort Worth Bowl, 2007 Champs Sports Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl, 2011 Capital One Bowl, 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, 2014 Rose Bowl, 2015 Cotton Bowl.
