Dunlap: Narduzzi Tasked With Enormous Decision
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi --- truth be told --- is still in his infancy as a head football coach.
But the task he's saddled with now might end up being the most important (or at least among the most important) of his head coaching career. No matter how long it lasts. It could last decades and, man, right now will be among the most important times Narduzzi faces.
You see, when it was announced Wednesday that offensive coordinator Matt Canada was bolting The Burgh for Baton Rouge, it really didn't come as that big of a surprise to anyone who has followed much college football the past half-century or so.
Louisiana State has more money.
Louisiana State has more recent prestige.
Louisiana State is in the SEC.
Louisiana State --- as Beano Cook used to say about Notre Dame in its heyday --- has "more material."
Louisiana State has that stadium rocking on Saturdays in the autumn while when anyone talks about Pitt and attendance, it is generally a discussion about how many people aren't showing up.
But here's why Narduzzi is facing such an important time, such an important decision in the offensive coordinator he hires to replace Canada: Pitt is actually trending heavily in the right direction right now. That's just the reality.
Can you remember a time in the recent past where there was this much legitimate buzz around Pitt football and what the program could achieve in the next few seasons? I know I can't.
On top of that, Pitt (and, really, Narduzzi) won't just be hiring an offensive coordinator, but in a sense a second head coach. With Narduzzi schooled on the defensive side of the ball, one would think the man who replaces Canada will have the latitude to take full command of the offense and not have a lot of interference from Narduzzi.
The offense is the baby of the new coordinator while the defense is the baby of Narduzzi --- that's just the way it is.
The way it also is is that this season's Pitt offense saved Narduzzi's backside. Without their prolific scoring masking the inadequacies of the defense, the win total could have been much different.
Will that defense improve a ton in just one season? Who knows?
But it seems the skeleton could be in place to keep the offense potent, it will just take a coordinator as inventive and imaginative as Canada.
"When you hire great people and have success, your staff will always be in demand," Narduzzi said in a portion of the statement released by the athletic department. It continued, "I'm confident we will find another outstanding person and professional to continue our momentum."
He better.
Because momentum like this with Pitt football hasn't come around all that often in the recent past.
Colin Dunlap is a featured columnist at CBSPittsburgh.com. He can also be heard weekdays from 5:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sports Radio 93-7 "The Fan." You can e-mail him at colin.dunlap@cbsradio.com. Check out his bio here.
