Being a college football head coach isn’t an occupation that can ever have you feeling comfortable and safe. Things can change very quickly on the field and because of that, they can also change very quickly off-the-field. Below is an ACC head coach who is not currently on the hot seat (at least seriously) but could see that change after this season if things don’t go his way.
Pat Narduzzi (Pittsburgh)
This one may seem a bit random, but it also makes plenty of sense. This will be Narduzzi’s 11th season leading Pittsburgh and during this time he has led them to a 72-56 record. Along the way the Panthers played seven bowl games. However, they have gone 2-5 record in these bowls, including losses in their last three.
Narduzzi was at his prime after the 2021season, when the Panthers finished 11-3. This was their first double-digit victory season since 2009 and just their second since 1981. He successfully followed that up with a 9-4 record in 2022. However, the last two seasons have started to cause some concern. The Panthers have gone 10-15 and amazingly lost the last six games of 2024 after starting the season 7-0. Narduzzi’s 72-56 overall record is respectable, but outside of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the Panthers have gone 52-49 during the other eight.
When it comes to the 2025 schedule, on paper the chances of another .500 level season are likely. After a probable 2-0 start, a trip to West Virginia for the Backyard Brawl may be prove to be especially important. That is followed up with a bye and then a challenging start to the ACC schedule with a home game against Louisville. Where the Panthers lie after four games may very well determine their season.
After this stretch, the Panthers do avoid both Clemson and SMU, but face a difficult finish against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Miami. In other words, they better be bowl eligible by the conclusion of their November 1st game at Stanford or there will be some increased stress in Pittsburgh during the remainder of the month.
Another middling season likely wouldn’t mean the end of Narduzzi’s tenure with the Panthers, but it would drastically raise the scrutiny surrounding him heading into 2026.
