Pat Narduzzi adds experience from college/NFL to coaching staff

A look at the 4 new Panthers coaches
Harlon Barnett at Michigan State
Photo credit Getty Images

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The most changes to the Pitt coaching staff in a half decade as Pat Narduzzi brings mostly experienced coaches.

Harlon Barnett-secondary/assistant head coach
·     Spent the last two years as Northwestern’s assistant head coach and safeties coach
·     15 seasons at Michigan State in various roles including being named acting head coach in 2023-was part of the MSU defense that beat Pitt in the Peach Bowl
·     Before returning to his alma mater (Michigan State) where he was an All-American, Barnett spent three years as the secondary coach at Cincinnati
·     Played 99 games in the NFL with the Browns, Patriots and Vikings

Joe Bowen-linebackers/run game coordinator
·     Defensive coordinator at the University of Buffalo last two seasons with 25 interceptions and top four in the MAC in sacks in his two seasons
·     Named 2024 Linebacker Coach of the Year by Footballscoop
·     Two seasons at Miami as linebackers coach and running game coordinator
·     Was a graduate assistant/assistant at South Carolina, Florida State & Michigan State

Brent Davis-tight ends
·     Three seasons at Virginia Tech as offensive analyst, co-offensive line coach and last year tight ends coach
·     Offensive coordinator at Army for nine years
·     Four seasons as offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern and at VMI where he ran the triple option

Mike Priefer-special teams·
     Special teams coach at North Carolina in 2025
·     Four-year special teams coordinator with the Cleveland Browns before going to UNC and previously was special teams coordinator with the Chiefs, Broncos and Vikings (from 2006-2018)
·     Named NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year in 2011
·     Also assistant special teams coordinator with Jacksonville and the Giants under Tom Coughlin
·     In college he was an assistant at Navy, Youngstown State, VMU and Northern Illinois
·     His father, Chuck, was an NFL special teams coordinator

Featured Image Photo Credit: Gerry Images