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The process of rebuilding a roster in college football isn’t a quick one, since it’s done in increments of, at most, 25 players and those new additions usually take a year or two to be ready to contribute.
That’s why every new head coach knows he will likely need time to remake the team in his image. But those coaches know that by Year Three, they need to show results, since the roster will be mostly of their doing (even if their players are still young).
That’s where Pat Narduzzi finds himself after Pitt’s 2016 season ended with a 31-24 loss to Northwestern in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. Narduzzi has won more games in his first two seasons than any Pitt coach since Foge Fazio in 1982-83, but a pair of bowl losses and more than a few near-misses have affected what will be expected from Narduzzi’s Panthers in 2017.
And a majority of the scholarship roster will be Narduzzi players, as 38 recruits and transfers from this year’s team will be joined by at least 20 - and probably closer to 25 - new additions. With more than 60 of his own players on the roster, Narduzzi will be expected to succeed next season.
“We got a lot of young secondary: Damar Hamlin, (Therran) Coleman, (Jay) Stocker is going to continue to get better, Brice Garner is a good football player already, Henry Miller - across the board. Chase Pine on defense. Ruben Flowers, who hasn't played yet. Wait til you get a glimpse of Thomas (MacVittie),” Narduzzi said Wednesday.
“I think the future is bright for the Panthers. A lot of guys didn't play. Keyshon Camp didn't play a whole lot. There's guys everywhere. We have done a decent job of recruiting; we just have to keep going."
The freshmen Narduzzi mentioned - all are redshirting this season save for Hamlin, who played a few games at midseason - all have a shot at playing time in 2017. Hamlin, Coleman and Miller will compete for the open starting job at cornerback with experienced players like Phillipie Motley and Dane Jackson. Stocker and Garner will compete with each other and possibly incoming freshman Paris Ford for an open job at free safety.
Pine will be in the mix at outside linebacker, Flowers will look for playing time at receiver and MacVittie will be in a competition to replace Nate Peterman at quarterback.
Those players will compete for those jobs this spring. According to the outgoing players, the youngsters will have good guidance from the staff.
“Coach Narduzzi has this under control and it’s going in the right direction,” redshirt senior Adam Bisnowaty said after the loss to Northwestern. “It’s too bad we couldn’t finish off with a win this year. Next year is going to be a great year.”
“At the end of the day, this is a business; you grow to love these coaches, though, after time, even though it is a business,” redshirt senior defensive end Ejuan Price said. “I just hope they stick around because I really learned a lot from these coaches, both on and off the field. I think that speaks volumes.
“Anybody can teach x’s and o’s, but when you have a group of young men like that, you have to teach them how to be men in the process. I think they did a good job with both facets and they’re a great staff.”
Price added that he thinks Narduzzi’s approach should lend itself to long-term success.
“I hope. I really hope so. We have a lot of potential and talent in the building; I just hope they continue to groom it and make those young boys something.”
