http://www.pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102115aac.html
PITTSBURGH—First-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, who has Pitt back in the nation’s Top 25 for the first time in six seasons, has been named a candidate for the 2015 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Narduzzi is one of 22 head coaches revealed today as candidates for the prestigious recognition. The Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award honors excellence in college football coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke through its partnership with the American Heart Association.
It is the only college coaching honor determined after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. This year’s winner will be honored on January 13 at the 30th Annual American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards presented by Marathon Oil Corporation in Houston, Texas.
Under Narduzzi, the Panthers are ranked No. 25 in this week’s Associated Press poll, their first in-season Top 25 appearance since 2009. Pitt owns a 5-1 overall record—its best start since the ’09 campaign—and is 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time. The Panthers have sole possession of first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
Pitt’s ascendance under Narduzzi is particularly evident on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers boast the nation’s No. 17 defense, yielding just 300.8 yards per game, nearly 60 yards fewer than last year. Pitt already has 22 sacks, three more than it compiled in all of last season.
Remarkably, Pitt has achieved its strong start playing four of its first six contests on the road. The Panthers will play their fifth road game in seven weeks when they visit Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC) this Saturday for an ESPNU noon national telecast.
The 2015 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award candidates:
Art Briles, Baylor
Matt Campbell, Toledo
David Cutcliffe, Duke
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Jimbo Fisher, Florida State
Justin Fuente, Memphis
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Tom Herman, Houston
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
Jim McElwain, Florida
Urban Meyer, Ohio State
Les Miles, LSU
PAT NARDUZZI, PITTSBURGH
Gary Patterson, TCU
Matt Rhule, Temple
Nick Saban, Alabama
David Shaw, Stanford
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
PITTSBURGH—First-year head coach Pat Narduzzi, who has Pitt back in the nation’s Top 25 for the first time in six seasons, has been named a candidate for the 2015 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Narduzzi is one of 22 head coaches revealed today as candidates for the prestigious recognition. The Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award honors excellence in college football coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke through its partnership with the American Heart Association.
It is the only college coaching honor determined after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. This year’s winner will be honored on January 13 at the 30th Annual American Heart Association Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards presented by Marathon Oil Corporation in Houston, Texas.
Under Narduzzi, the Panthers are ranked No. 25 in this week’s Associated Press poll, their first in-season Top 25 appearance since 2009. Pitt owns a 5-1 overall record—its best start since the ’09 campaign—and is 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the first time. The Panthers have sole possession of first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
Pitt’s ascendance under Narduzzi is particularly evident on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers boast the nation’s No. 17 defense, yielding just 300.8 yards per game, nearly 60 yards fewer than last year. Pitt already has 22 sacks, three more than it compiled in all of last season.
Remarkably, Pitt has achieved its strong start playing four of its first six contests on the road. The Panthers will play their fifth road game in seven weeks when they visit Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC) this Saturday for an ESPNU noon national telecast.
The 2015 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award candidates:
Art Briles, Baylor
Matt Campbell, Toledo
David Cutcliffe, Duke
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Jimbo Fisher, Florida State
Justin Fuente, Memphis
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Tom Herman, Houston
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
Jim McElwain, Florida
Urban Meyer, Ohio State
Les Miles, LSU
PAT NARDUZZI, PITTSBURGH
Gary Patterson, TCU
Matt Rhule, Temple
Nick Saban, Alabama
David Shaw, Stanford
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
