On Dec. 26, 2014, Pat Narduzzi was named head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
“There wasn't any doubt; I knew Pitt was the one,” Narduzzi says. “It's got everything. I think you've got the ability to do big things here. There couldn't have been a better fit.”
He comes to the Panthers from Michigan State, where he was defensive coordinator from 2007-14 and assistant head coach for the 2013-14 season, part of a staff that helped guide the Spartans to Top 25 finishes in five of the past seven seasons.
In 2013, Michigan State finished No. 3 in the country following a Big Ten title and 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
Narduzzi, 49, completed his bachelor's degree in physical education at Rhode Island in 1990 and went on to earn a master's degree in sports studies at Miami of Ohio in 1992.
He and his wife, Donna, have four children — Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Narduzzi was an all-state performer at Youngstown's Ursuline High School.
He credits his late father, Bill Narduzzi, who was head coach at Youngstown State University from 1975-85, with instilling him with a passion for football.
Pitt will open its football season when it hosts Youngstown State at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 at Heinz Field.
Childhood hero:
My father, and he remains my hero to this day. He was a football coach who taught me about the importance of trust and respect in life.
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
My Ursuline High School football letterman's jacket
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
I'd love to be able to fly. Traveling would be much faster!
Favorite app:
USA Today
Favorite season:
What else? Fall means football!
Favorite ethnic food:
Anything Italian
I spend the most time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other:
The song I want played at my funeral:
Frank Sinatra's “My Way”
My favorite cable channel:
ESPN
The dessert that matches my personality:
Apple pie
My favorite TV or movie villain:
The Joker
If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
AC/DC's “Back in Black”
My childhood nickname:
Little Duzzer
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
The Pope, Colin Powell and Bill Belichick. (Imagine that conversation!)
Pick one: Pirates, Penguins, Steelers or other:
All of them! Pittsburgh is the greatest sports city in the world!
Best vacation ever:
Italy
Place I'd most like to visit:
Greece
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Chocolate
The first band I saw in concert:
I saw the Scorpions in Cleveland when I was a kid.
The best concert I've ever seen:
When we were at the Cotton Bowl last season, John Legend performed during the week. He put on a great show in a small venue.
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Serafino's
My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:
I always loved the players on those 1970s Steelers teams. They embodied toughness.
Favorite lunchtime spot:
The majority of my lunches are spent in my office!
Pick one: Cheetos, Cheez-It or Cheerios:
Cheez-Its
Top thing on my bucket list:
Win a national championship at Pitt
I wish I had more time to:
Spend with family
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
Absolutely, the people
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
A football player
Happiness is:
Time spent with family
One word my mother would use to describe me:
Worker
If I could go back, I'd tell my teenage self:
To slow down
My first job:
Working at a beverage distributor in Youngstown
My worst job:
Working 12 hours a day with a jackhammer doing construction in New Jersey. It was tough and tiring but taught me a lot. I wouldn't trade the experience.
If I wasn't head coach of the Pitt football team, I'd be:
Working for the FBI
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
Pitt's Cathedral of Learning
My most memorable fashion mistake:
My wife prevents me from making any.
What you'll always find in my glove compartment:
My GPS
My favorite website:
My personal motto is:
“Tell it like it is.”
The overused phrase I hate most:
“My bad”
People would be surprised to know that:
I was very quiet and shy growing up.
