PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – According to Pete Thamel's report for ESPN, Pitt has a new receivers coach to replace Brendan Marian. Pat Narduzzi is hiring Tiquan Underwood to be his third receivers coach in as many years.
UPDATE: It was officially announced on Saturday morning that Pitt Football has hired Underwood as a wide receiver coach and pass game coordinator.
"Tiquan is a tremendous addition to our program," Narduzzi said. "First and foremost, he is just an outstanding person. Our staff really enjoyed getting to know him during the interview process and it was obvious he'll be a great fit."
What are the Panthers getting in the 34-year-old former Scarlet Knight coach and player?
Underwood spent the last two seasons under Greg Schiano at Rutgers, having played for Schiano with the Scarlet Knights from 2005-08. Underwood is top 10 in several categories in Rutgers history-seventh in touchdowns (16), ninth in receptions (132) and 10th in receiving yards (1,931). He also holds the school single-game receiving yards record with 248 against Buffalo in 2007. Underwood was First Team All-Big East in 2007 with 65 receptions, 1,100 yards and seven TD.
A seventh-round pick of the Jags in 2009, Underwood played in 45 career NFL games catching 63 passes for 1,006 yards and six touchdowns. The 34-year-old played two years in Jacksonville, two in Tampa Bay and a year with Tom Brady in New England. The New Brunswick, New Jersey native also played 32 games in three seasons in the Canadian Football League with 87 receptions, 1,320 yards and six scores.
His coaching career started just four years ago as a wide receivers coach for Lafayette in 2018. He moved to the Miami Dolphins in 2019 as a quality control coach before spending the past two seasons coaching wideouts at Rutgers.
In a story in NJ.com in August, Underwood is known for giving his players ice cream cakes on their birthdays. Underwood said he wants his players to feel special and it helps bring the unit closer together. He's known for his high energy, always talking and moving at practice.
Rutgers receiver Bo Melton was sixth in the Big 10 in receptions per game (5.0), 10th with 55 overall receptions for 617 yards and three touchdowns. Melton did this despite having the second worst rated passer in the conference.
Underwood will coach the Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, plus up-and-coming receivers Jared Wayne (47 receptions, 658 yards), Jaylon Barden (19.3 yds per reception) and freshman Jaden Bradley.
"It is an honor to be named wide receivers coach and pass game coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh," Underwood said. "I am grateful to Coach Narduzzi and our director of athletics, Heather Lyke, for the opportunity to join this outstanding program and university. Pitt is a special place with a great tradition. I look forward to helping this program pursue another ACC championship and national title."
