PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Predicted to finish 13th in the ACC, coming off a three-win season, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi reacted Monday as his 5-0 team is ranked in the AP Top 25 this week.
“I don’t care the ranking,” Narduzzi said. “I don’t care the preseason ranking. The only ranking we will brag about is our postseason ranking in trying to win a championship. Those are the rankings you worry about.”
“Right now, mid-season, if you get too caught up in ‘oh, look at us. We are ranked.’ Good luck to you.”
The Panthers will host California Saturday at 3:30 as the 22nd ranked team in the nation, an unexpected start for a Pitt team coming off a 3-9 year. Narduzzi took a chance with a whole new offensive staff and concept led by a 31-year-old, innovative coordinator who likes to play at a high tempo.
Why does Narduzzi believe this team has made this jump?
“Resiliency,” Narduzzi said. “Toughness. Like just the whole -- the character thing. I love their attitude. There's not a selfish bone on our football team, at least haven't shown it yet. I like their selflessness that they've shown. Doesn't matter who catches the ball, who has the big game as a receiver, who makes a sack. They're celebrating together.”
What he doesn’t see is as important to Narduzzi as what he does. It’s part of the ‘we, not me’ message he preaches constantly to his team.
“There's no whining afterwards, well, I didn't get my chance,” Narduzzi said of players staying together. “You're celebrating in the locker room. You have someone sitting in the locker room -- I've seen it before. You have someone in the locker room sitting by themselves, I didn't get to play, I didn't get to make a play.”
“I don't see that.”
It makes them a joy to coach for Narduzzi. Coaches, along with staff, put in long hours. When they see the group pulling in the same direction it can make a big difference. He believes the selflessness could be a major factor this year as to why they are making the key play at the key moment, instead of losing close games. It keeps them focused and prepared for their opportunity.
Whether it’s someone like linebacker Kyle Louis staying focused on team instead of personal stats and then finally coming up with a huge sack Saturday at North Carolina.
It could be a second-and-30 touchdown pass to receiver Daejon Reynolds when trailing by 10 late to West Virginia. It was Reynolds’ first catch of the season, but the point Narduzzi made is he continued to run every route hard and has been blocking as well as anyone doing his part to help the team win.
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew would love a few more catches, but Narduzzi said he keeps his effort high when blocking.
“He's not worried about his catches, he's worried about winning and doing his job and just playing with an attitude and some great effort,” Narduzzi said.
The 10th year Pitt head coach believes he has a team of players like that. That team is off to its best start since 1991.