Contrary to what some might want to manifest, Pat Narduzzi is not on the hot seat as a result of Pitt's 1-2 start after a drab showing from his offense in last weekend's Backyard Brawl.
The deficiencies of his 112th-ranked unit cannot be solely attributed to this. This issue, expected to compound due to the head coach's unwavering loyalty to his players, stems beyond that.
Should the Phil Jurkovec experience blow up in his face, Narduzzi has nobody but to blame but himself. And, the program will take a hit in the big picture because of it.
This is on track to be the second consecutive year in which Narduzzi ventured into the ever-evolving transfer portal in search for a quarterback, only to have both attempts fall flat. It all began with the judgment of former Southern California slinger Kedon Slovis, who played a pivotal role in securing a 2022 Backyard Brawl victory and contributed to Pitt's back-to-back Associated Press Top 25 rankings. However, it's worth noting that Narduzzi's win in the Sun Bowl was commandeered by Nick Patti.
Slovis's departure from Pitt coincided with Jurkovec's arrival. This isn't a matter of opinion or fancy reporting; it's based on statements made by the offensive coordinator during training camp.
"We were actually bringing in Phil before Kedon left," offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. said in mid-August. "We wanted Kedon to compete with Phil and obviously, he didn’t want to."
After what Pitt did last season, who would want to?
This was further amplified shortly after Slovis's departure for BYU in December. Narduzzi tipped his hand by alluding to Slovis not being the leader he envisioned from the start:
"Phil -- big, athletic, tough, leadership-type guy. Something that we desperately need in that room, and I think Christian (Veilleux is) the same way," Narduzzi said on national signing day, "but I think he brings the leadership that maybe we lacked a year ago."
That might be fine and all, but if Narduzzi was going to get back into the transfer portal for the second year in a row following Kenny Pickett's departure, it had to be for the better.
Evidenced by two games against Power Five schools, the Jurkovec experience hasn't even gotten off of the ground yet.
And that is the problem going forward.
Players coming in via the transfer portal -- the system which Narduzzi has at multiple instances publicly bashed -- will see this. They will see all of the inept play from the offense. They will see a system that is middling at best within the ACC since Cignetti took over as the offensive coordinator, and is now second-to-last in the conference in total offense and third-to-last in points per game through three games.
The recruits that verbally committed to give Narduzzi 22 locks and the No. 31 recruiting class for 2024 (per Rivals) will see this. So will those who are looking at Pitt for 2025 and beyond. The starting and backup quarterback, two of the top four running backs, and the top three wide receivers are transfer portal products. And, yet, this is the product. There are freshmen behind these players who are seeing valuable playing time to go to waste. That creates a problem.
Again, back to loyalty.
It's nearly to a fault, by this point. Even in the final minutes of Saturday's game, when it was evident to everyone in the stadium and watching across the continental United States, except perhaps Narduzzi himself, that Jurkovec was not in a position to lead the team to victory, Narduzzi's unwavering loyalty doesn't seem likely to wane.
If it stops, it will come as a surprise and a screeching halt, rather than with a prelude. The music will reverberate louder and louder, and the boo's will silence.
But, for the wrong reasons.
"Who were they booing?" Narduzzi asked about his offense getting booed on a home and a road game by Pitt fans. "I think they were booing me, just so we're on the same page. Did they say, 'boo, Phil,' or 'boo, coach?' Like there was boos, so I don't know who they were at. At least from what I hear, because I don't hear those things with my headphones on, and I'm not sure our kids really do, either. I'm sure someone said something to him or to me or whatever and said there was boos. I think there was boos in the first game someone said, correct? We're in Boo City. Boo City, Pa.
"But again, I think we talked about that a week ago or two weeks ago. I don't know when it was. But hey, it is what it is. If that's what they want to do, that's great. Should not affect us or our psyche."
