It’s the dawn of a new era of Pitt football … again.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

Since the fall of 2010, the Panthers have had five head coaches and three interim coaches in bowl games. That is one busy HR department in Western Pennsylvania. There’s cautious optimism that the carousel will stop for a while with Pat Narduzzi, who succeeded current Wisconsin head man Paul Chryst.

Narduzzi has been brought aboard to ramp up the defense and hopefully guide Pitt to new heights. As it stands now, this is an undeniably average ACC program that’s gone 6-7 in three of the last four years. In the fourth season, the Panthers were 7-6, testament to their inability to fully stretch the boundaries of their potential.

Narduzzi’s track record and his personality, especially in the wake of the monotonous Chryst, has already been selling rather well to Panther fans and, more important, Panther recruits. Narduzzi is quintessential Pitt, affable, intense and tough enough to instill much-needed defensive prowess into the program. He was a huge reason why Michigan State won at least ten games in four of the last five years, and much of what worked in East Lansing is going to be implemented in the Steel City.

The new culture will be one of high energy, persistent competition and discontent for the status quo. If you’re a two-star recruit with a five-star work ethic, Pittsburgh might where you can flourish.

The 2015 team is going to be top-heavy. RB James Conner and WR Tyler Boyd are two of the best players in the country at their positions. And QB Chad Voytik has a bright future. But there’s not a preponderance of talent beyond the offensive trio. Nice players, sure, but not the type of two-deep, particularly on defense, that screams out Coastal Division sleeper

. In a twist for Narduzzi, he might have to win with offense for a while, or at least until he can get more of his kind of scrappy, well-coached defenders into positions of prominence.

Pitt looks to have found its man, though those rolling their eyes are completely justified in their skepticism. The Panthers have been in this exact position too many times in recent years to be assured that much-needed stability is mercifully on the horizon. Still, like the dawn of a new season, the start of a new regime brings hope, optimism and a clean slate.

Narduzzi has already begun to put his no-nonsense, tough-as-nails stamp on the program, the one he helped to brand at Michigan State. He inherits a roster with enough talent to bowl for an eighth year in a row, but divisional contention will only be possible if the defense soars past expectations.

What you need to know on offense: New coordinator Jim Chaney has pretty much seen it all the past two decades, so he’s equipped to adapt to the talent he inherits. At Pittsburgh, he has the building blocks of a diverse offense. Now, Chaney’s boss, Pat Narduzzi, clearly wants to establish the run. And why not, when James Conner is in the backfield and the O-line can move the pile? But the Panthers also want to maximize the skills of pro-ready WR Tyler Boyd and athletic QB Chad Voytik, who’s becoming increasingly comfortable in the new system. However, for Pitt to pick up where it left off last year, averaging 36 points over the final five games, the receiving corps and the right side of the line must be addressed. Boyd got zero support in 2014, which is why the spring performance of junior Dontez Ford was so encouraging. And the O-line must replace RG Matt Rotheram and RT T.J. Clemmings, who’ll both be on NFL rosters this fall. Young Jaryd Jones-Smith has taken a lead at tackle, while Alex Officer could displace one of the guards once starting C Artie Rowell returns from his knee rehabilitation. The Panthers want to build off 2014, their best in years as a blocking unit. 

What you need to know on defense: Head coach Pat Narduzzi and his first coordinator at Pitt, Josh Conklin, have reputations for coaching up defenders. Good thing, too, because the Panthers didn’t produce a single All-ACC performer on this side of the ball in 2014. The 2015 edition will be light on playmakers as well, which is why the new staff is creatively looking for ways to spark a decrepit pass rush. Pitt can’t survive ranking 118th nationally in tackles for minus yards. Fortunately, the defensive backfield is competent enough to allow athletic outside linebackers Nicholas Grigsby and Bam Bradley to occasionally blitz. Corners Lafayette Pitts and Avonte Maddox show potential, and FS Reggie Mitchell is the unit’s most complete player. In the end, though, success will hinge on Narduzzi’s front four. Rori Blair is the most active end, but he needs to add weight to become a three-down player. And tackles Darryl Render, K.K. Mosley-Smith and Tyrique Jarrett, the spring MVP, must own the line of scrimmage like seasoned upperclassmen.

What to watch for on offense: Rowell with the punches. Panther C Artie Rowell is expected back this summer from last year’s knee injury, where he’ll resume his role as the line leader. But what then happens to massive Alex Officer, who filled in so admirably at the pivot over the final 10 games of 2014? One option will be to move the 6-4, 335-pounder to one of the guard spots currently occupied by Dorian Johnson or rookie Alex Bookser. In an effort to blow open holes for James Conner, Pitt is determined to make sure its five best blockers are on the field this season.

What to watch for on defense: Prowling Panthers. After finishing 118th nationally in tackles for loss and 103rd in sacks, it was clear that Pitt had done a poor job of adapting to life without All-American DT Aaron Donald in 2014. And since the D-line remains a work-in-progress, sans star power, new coordinator Josh Conklin plans to turn up the heat when it’s prudent. Conklin is teaching his kids to swarm to the ball, with outside linebackers—and siblings—Nicholas Grigsby and Bam Bradley earning a license to roam with more freedom than in recent years.

The team will be far better if… the new head coach gets his way. Of the many reasons Pat Narduzzi was hired to succeed Paul Chryst, his defensive prowess was chief among them. And while it’ll take time to build up the talent, Narduzzi plans to do for Pitt what he did for Michigan State for so many years—develop kids that are nasty, stingy and fundamentally sound, which was not the case in 2014. Instead, the Panthers were soft at the point of attack and faded down the stretch, making the arrival of Narduzzi timely and pertinent.

The Schedule:
– The Panthers have to get packing early on, playing a whopping five road games in six dates after opening up the season against Youngstown State.
– But the payoff comes in the finishing kick, playing four of their last five games at home including big games against Notre Dame, Louisville and Miami – playing the Hurricanes in Pittsburgh on November 27th is a bonus.
– Missing Florida State and Clemson from the Atlantic is important, and going to Syracuse in interdivision play isn’t all that bad. Louisville will be nasty, but at least it’s at home.
– Youngstown State and Akron should be easy early tune-up games, and they’ll be needed with trips to Iowa and Virginia Tech to follow.
– WATCH OUT FOR … Virginia. It’s the only home game in the brutal six game stretch, and Pitt has to put it away or else the road date at Georgia Tech becomes a must-win.

Best offensive player: Junior RB James Conner. Conner is not only one of the nation’s premier running backs, but he’s also a perfect fit for a new staff that wants to dictate with a physical, bareknuckle brand of football. Teams lacking depth and physicality in the trenches are simply no match for No. 24. And Conner might be even tougher to handle in 2015. Through an offseason of intensive conditioning, he’s shed unnecessary pounds, and will play a more prominent role in the Pitt passing game this fall.

Best defensive player: Junior FS Reggie Mitchell. What can Mitchell do for the Panthers this season? What can’t he do? Pitt’s most versatile defender free-lanced at multiple positions last year, cross-training for his new life as a full-time free safety. Sure, he’s athletic, but keen instincts and anticipation are what help keep him close to the action. Now, the coaching staff is asking Mitchell to be a more vocal leader, so that his expertise can have a more far-reaching effect on the back seven.

Key player to a successful season: Sophomore DE Rori Blair. Pitt is pining for a better pass rush this season, preferably without having to sell out to often. And Blair showed flashes of potential off the bench last season, registering five sacks in his first season. But now the team needs Blair to be more than just an occasional contributor who performs cameos in opposing backfields. The Panthers need him to continue getting stronger, and then provide the spark for a sack unit that’s facing intense scrutiny this offseason.

The season will be a success if … Pitt finishes the year with a winning record. If the first-year staff can wind up above .500 after the Panthers went 6-7 in 2014, it’ll serve as a building block for the future in Western Pennsylvania. The schedule will be challenging after the opening two games with Youngstown State and Akron, including trips to Iowa, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Duke, and visits from Notre Dame, Louisville and Miami. If Pitt wins seven, it’ll be a starting point. Go 8-5 for the first time in five years, and head coach Pat Narduzzi will have a stiff tailwind at his back.

Key game: Nov. 14 at Duke. When Pitt travels to Durham this fall, it’ll be seeking revenge for last season’s crushing double-overtime loss to the Blue Devils at Heinz Field. The Panthers will also be looking for momentum before wrapping the regular season with critical back-to-back visits from Louisville and Miami. Pitt leaves home just once after Oct. 24, so an upset at Wallace Wade Stadium could be the spark for a hot conclusion to the regular season.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Rushing yards per game: Pittsburgh 249.5 – Opponents 160.8
– Third-down%: Pittsburgh 46% – Opponents 38%
– Red-zone touchdown%: Pittsburgh 75% – Opponents
71%

Players You Need To Know

1. RB James Conner, Jr.
Conner is coming off a season for the ages at Pitt. And to think that he’s just two years removed from high school. The Panthers’ battering ram out of the backfield smashed Tony Dorsett’s single-season school rushing and scoring records, en route to being named the ACC Player of the Year. Conner was remarkably consistent, despite his offense’s lack of diversity, rushing for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns on 298 carries. At 6-2 and 250 pounds, with excellent leg drive, he requires more than one tackler to drag him down, and he relishes opportunities to barrel over or stiff-arm opposing defenders.

2. WR Tyler Boyd, Jr.
Even in an offense that leans so heavily on the running game, Boyd’s next-level set of skills were once again impossible to miss. After a smashing debut in 2013, he took his game up a notch in 2014, earning First Team All-ACC with 78 receptions for 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6-2, 190-pound Boyd is an ultra-consistent performer, with one of the best work ethics on the team. Plus, his advanced hand-eye coordination allows him to make difficult grabs look easy, effortlessly plucking the ball out of the air. It’ll be an upset if he remains on campus beyond the 2015 campaign, though he’ll first have to work through the challenges of June’s DUI arrest.

3. QB Chad Voytik, Jr.
A new staff and new competition, Tennessee transfer Nathan Peterman, means Voytik must prove himself all over again. But he’ll have a huge edge after laying the foundation as the Panther starter in 2014. Voytik not only started every game, but he got better as the season unfolded, especially as a passer. He ended up 176-of-287 for 2,233 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions, with his best work coming in the second half. The athletic 6-1, 205-pounder also rushed for 635 pre-sack yards and three scores to give defenses a different element with which to contend.

4. C Artie Rowell, Sr.
Pitt will soon have its leader back up front, promising news for a line with a high ceiling. T.J. Clemmings and Matt Rotheram will be difficult to replace on the right side, but Rowell’s return from last year’s ACL tear provides a big boost, both physically and in terms of leadership. The 6-2, 305-pounder is expected to be the glue of the young front wall, a blue-collar performer with the smarts, the experience and the work ethic to fit in perfectly at the pivot.

5. FS Reggie Mitchell, Jr.
Mitchell will once again bring a healthy dose of versatility to the Panther defensive backfield in 2015. In his first season since transferring from Wisconsin, he started every game of the year, seven at cornerback, one at nickel and the final five at strong safety. At his core, Mitchell is a 6-0, 185-pound playmaker, with the instincts and the flexibility to be used in numerous roles. His Pitt career began solidly with 62 stops, three tackles for loss, a team-high seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

6. DT Darryl Render, Sr.
Faced with the impossible task of replacing Aaron Donald on the inside, Render acquitted himself rather well in 2014. He started all but one game, missing the regular-season finale with Miami, finishing with 32 tackles, six stops for loss, two sacks and four pass breakups. Despite being a blocky 6-2, 275-pounder, Render is surprisingly athletic, with the agility and the footwork to bust the gap and create plenty of headaches in opposing backfields this fall.

7. TE J.P. Holtz, Sr.
When Chad Voytik and Nathan Peterman want to target someone other than star WR Tyler Boyd, looking for Holtz would make plenty of sense. He’s been a starter since his freshman season in 2012, making 57 receptions for 581 yards and seven touchdowns over three years. Last year, Holtz was second on the team to Boyd with four scoring grabs. The 6-4, 245-pounder is also a solid in-line blocker, using his technique and upper body strength to support James Conner and the rest of the running game.

8. LB Matt Galambos, Jr.
Galambos will have a chance to become one Pat Narduzzi’s cornerstones on defense. Galambos has progressed well in his first two years on campus, going from a part-timer in 2013 to a full-timer at middle linebacker as a sophomore. The hard-working 6-2, 245-pounder finished third on the team with 72 tackles, 4.5 of which were for minus yards. And more leadership will be expected now that Anthony Gonzalez and Todd Thomas have graduated.

9. CB Lafayette Pitts, Sr.
Pitts is the veteran of the Panther cornerbacks, which means he’ll have two primary functions this season—lock down one side of the field and continue helping with the development of young Avonte Maddox. Pitts is on the verge of becoming a rare four-year starter at the school, coming off a season in which he had 39 tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups. The 5-11, 195-pounder brings know-how and athleticism to the Pitt secondary and special teams unit.

10. DE Rori Blair, Soph.
Pitt is pining for a pass rush, and Blair is itching for a chance to light the fuse up front. He showed hints of his potential as a local rookie, starting only a pair of games, yet leading the team with five sacks. The 6-4, 230-pound Blair is built like an outside linebacker, which the staff is trying to change with diet and conditioning. While Ejuan Price and Shakir Soto will be the strongside ends on the other side, Blair has a chance to the Panthers’ missile who chases down quarterbacks from behind.