PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Familiarity had to be a big reason, the Panthers grabbed an assistant who worked with new offensive coordinator Kade Bell at Western Carolina to be the next receivers coach.
JJ Laster spent the last three seasons at Western Carolina with Bell as the WR coach. Previously, Laster coached running backs and tight ends at Gardner-Webb, running backs and wide receivers at Tusculum after starting as a high school coach. Laster was a running back at Jacksonville University (2008-11) with 21 total touchdowns.
"I am incredibly honored and blessed to join Coach Narduzzi's staff at the University of Pittsburgh," Laster said in a statement released by the university. "I know there is a great tradition of wide receiver excellence at Pitt. We are going to work tremendously hard to build on that rich history. I'm really looking forward to getting to Pitt to meet our players and prepare for a great spring."
"It was apparent upon first meeting JJ that he is a tremendous teacher and leader of young men," Narduzzi said in a statement released by the university. "He is the type of coach who will provide leadership well beyond the field and impact our players' lives outside of football. Our entire team is really going to enjoy getting to know him."
"JJ has a great understanding of Coach Bell's offense given their really successful collaborations at WCU," Narduzzi continued. "We are looking forward to getting JJ started as we prepare for spring ball."
Laster replaces Tiquan Underwood who bolted for the NFL and an assistant position with the New England Patriots.
