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Pat Narduzzi Says Losing WR Coach Brennan Marion to Texas Symptom of ‘Good Coaching’

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Texas is set to hire Pitt wide receivers coach Brennan Marion to be the Longhorns’ receivers coach and passing game coordinator, Pittsburgh Sports Now has confirmed. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of On3Sports.

Marion is the second Pitt offensive coach to depart following the season, joining offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who left to take the same position at Nebraska.

After Whipple’s resignation following Pitt’s ACC Championship Game victory, Marion was interested in remaining at Pitt in an increased role, but that was not in the cards.

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi instead chose to use experienced tight ends coach Tim Salem as his interim offensive coordinator and put the offensive coordinator hire on the back burner.

Since then, Marion has been touted as a candidate for several other positions, with interest from Texas surface in recent weeks. Narduzzi declined to comment specifically on Marion’s situation after the game.

“When you have good coaches, people are going to come after them,” Narduzzi said. “Guys have decisions to make. Whatever he wants to do, I’m good. We’ll be fine.”

The 34-year-old Greensburg Salem alum is seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks. Marion first gained widespread attention for developing his Go-Go offense when he was the offensive coordinator at Howard from 2017-18. Since then, he’s had one-year stops at William & Mary as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Hawaii and Pitt.

His tenure with the Panthers will do little to slow that momentum, after shepherding a receiver’s room that including Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison and saw increased production from players like Taysir Mack, Jared Wayne and Jaylon Barden.

Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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Krackerjack Kid
Krackerjack Kid
2 years ago

This is a misstep by Narduzzi. Pitt had the opportunity to continue with the same continuity with what was built the last couple of seasons. Marion was a great recruited, well liked by the players and knew the offense. In addition he was considered by many to be young an innovative.

It will be disappointing if Salem is promoted to OC.

All the pieces are in place to have a great team next year but this may have just reduced any chances of an ACC title repeat.

local_troll
local_troll
2 years ago

How do you know he was liked by the kids? Are you on the practice field with the kids? Or are you a big donor that has the inside scoop?

Or are you just some dude from Carrick living in a house you inherited from your parents?

TJ
TJ
2 years ago

interestingly .. other than the “prestige” of Texas (and probably more $) versus Pitt, I think the position he accepted is the same. If he wanted an OC job, he didn’t get one.

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago

Still waiting for you to list all the great players that Marion delivered to Pitt.

KBo
KBo
2 years ago

I wonder if Narduzzi didn’t want to go to the Go-Go offense. Maybe he wanted to stick to a pro-style offense. Do y’all have any insight on this?

John Marshall
John Marshall
2 years ago

Why did he not get the job? Seems like he was well qualified for the O/c job. Does Duzz have a better option for that position? To me it seems he let a good guy go!

Nick
Nick
2 years ago
Reply to  John Marshall

Well qualified? Guys been an OC at low-to-mid-tier FCS programs for a combined 3 seasons. Guy might be great, but can you risk the momentum they’ve built this season on hype? I don’t feel Narduzzi could ultimately take that leap.

Realitychek
Realitychek
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick

so you let Salem run it? I don’t know how he has kept a position job let alone be the interim OC. If Duzz promotes him it will be a huge mistake.

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  Realitychek

Yes, he did a terrible job coaching Bartholomew this year.

TMG
TMG
2 years ago

See how many jump in the portal to follow him?

Real Deal
Real Deal
2 years ago

Bottom line – Brennan Marion is going places that Turbo Tim will only see in his dreams. Marion’s career is on an upward slope. Turbo Tim, not so much. Let’s wait to see where these guys careers are 3-5 years from now. I like Marion’s chances for success a lot more than Turbo Tim’s.

Let's Believe
Let's Believe
2 years ago
Reply to  Real Deal

Simply liking this comment isn’t enough… Valid point!

Giovanni
Giovanni
2 years ago

If Salem’s effectiveness as Pitt’s OC in the Peach Bowl is any indication, Marion should have been a lock for new OC. I was hopeful that using Vincent Davis on ‘4th down and short yardage’ would go the way of the Do-Do Bird after Whipple departed. How dumb/stubborn. Geeze. Marion runs a dynamic offensive scheme with spark. Something the Pitt offense direly needed in the Peach Bowl even if using a (quality) 3rd string QB. The ‘3 and outs’ killed them and fatigued the Defense. All they had to do is run out the clock in the 4th with a… Read more »

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  Giovanni

You state that “Marion runs a dynamic offensive scheme with spark. Something the Pitt offense direly needed in the Peach Bowl…” So you’re clearly suggesting that Pitt should have asked the players to learn an entirely new offense in a few days so they could attempt to implement this brand new offense with their second & eventually third string QB. Congrats for composing the dumbest post in the history of the internet

Realitychek
Realitychek
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Recker

or maybe he would have called some different/more dynamic plays in the current offense? I’m sure it would have been better than anything out of Salem and his brilliant mind

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  Realitychek

Or maybe you’re clueless Sturg. Judging by your idiotic posts it’s a safe bet.

ReealityChek
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Recker

And I can tell you played Soccer

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  ReealityChek

Nope, never. Looks like you just pulled that out of your rectum.

Katura Cassells
Katura Cassells
2 years ago

I don’t believe Pitt will find a better offensive coordinator candidate with a higher ceiling than coach Marion. Narduzzi was caught sleeping at the wheel. It became obvious last night that Salem isn’t the answer. Hopefully, Narduzzi already has a good candidate in mind. If not, it makes no sense allowing that guy to walk.

Kowboygoc
Kowboygoc
2 years ago

If you don’t want to get here and are always looking over your shoulder for the next move then don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya. We want volunteers not hostages as one Steeler coach said 🤑

Da Moor
Da Moor
2 years ago

I know that he was loved by the children and recruits and I know because my son verbally committed because of Marion

Mark Recker
Mark Recker
2 years ago
Reply to  Da Moor

Really? What’s your son’s name Sturg, oops, I mean Sir?

Jamie W
Jamie W
2 years ago

As a William and Mary alum whose daughter goes to Pitt, it is no loss. The dude is an unabashed self promoter (check his Twitter and his book) who jumps year after year (other than two at Howard). There is no sustained track record of success. For those who think his “Go-go” offense is all that, it worked in the MEAC but not in the CAA. Sure, we rushed for a bunch of yards but we had a stable of good backs and a veteran O-line. His passing game is a joke. Not a developer of QBs. He may be… Read more »

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