Pitt's new football coach will have a role in the search for the university's next athletic director.

“That was one of the things we thought was an advantage. Others have said it was a disadvantage, but we like our coaches to have an input on that,” acting athletic director Randy Juhl said Friday. “We'll start the search immediately. All the coaches will have a representative or two on the committee.”

At his introductory news conference Friday, football coach Pat Narduzzi said he was “not at all” concerned about taking the job even though Pitt had no full-time athletic director.

“Talking with the committee, I felt really good about the direction they were going in,” Narduzzi said.

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher did not attend the news conference. Pitt officials said he was visiting extended family in New Mexico.

Visible at the news conference was Pitt men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon, who Juhl said also would have a spot or representative on the search committee.

Steve Pederson was fired as athletic director Dec. 17. He was in the second year of a five-year contract signed under former chancellor Mark Nordenberg.

— Rob Rossi

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