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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 01.10.19
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Brian Batko
2:00
Goooooooooood afternoon, everybody. As my friend Bill Lumbergh would say, what's happening? When you think about it, was Bill Lumbergh even that bad of a boss? Maybe we'll save that for later in the chat.

Anyway, in Pitt sports, quite a lot is happening. Football has a coordinator search heating up (maybe), men's basketball is out of the darkness and women's tennis just got cut by the university. So, as they say in Pitt chats, let's do that Pitt chat.
Wes
2:01
Brian don't you think Narduzzi's seat should start getting warm? I don't see any real improvement in Pitt football after year 4. Winning the Coastal is ruined by how they finished imo.
Brian Batko
2:03
No. They literally just went from 5-7 to 7-7 and winning the ACC Coastal Division. Doesn't make sense to me that it's ruined THAT much by the finish. It put a damper on it, sure, but I wouldn't say ruined. It just so happened they finished the season with maybe their worst matchup at a bad time (Miami) and played Clemson as a REWARD for success against other opponents. If Pitt doesn't even make it to the ACC title game, they're 7-6, which is a weird thing.
Deplorable Louisville Defender
2:04
It's been nine years since Pitt last beat Louisville in Men's basketball. What was the world like nine years ago? I was in 8th grade and I legitimately can't remember
Brian Batko
2:06
I just pulled up the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from that day, Jan. 17, 2010. The front page focus - not of sports, but the entire paper - is local guy makes good. Some dude from the Hill District named DeJuan Blair in the midst of his rookie season with the NBA power San Antonio Spurs.

Elsewhere in sports, Peyton Manning was playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Marvin Lewis had just been named AP coach of the year. Wild times, for sure.
2:08
Hey look, I uploaded it. Ray Fittipaldo's dispatch from SAN ANTONIO
SOMD Panther
2:08
Any updates on the new Head Coach of the Offense?
Brian Batko
2:10
Are you asking if it will become one of those endowed positions, like the University of Pittsburgh Ron Cook Coordinator of Offense? I picked him because he seems to often be offensive to Pitt fans.

The only name I know for sure has had interest is Matt Canada, Part Deux. I know this because our very own Joe Starkey said it on his radio show yesterday afternoon. But it's still unclear how much interest there is from either side of that equation, and I wonder if even Canada and Pat Narduzzi themselves quite know how interested each one is just yet. As I wrote earlier this week, it might be something of an awkward marriage for those two to get back together, but from a football perspective, it makes all the sense in the world to me.
Matt Canada
2:12
Whats the bet that I am the next OC at Pitt?
Brian Batko
2:14
To be clear about my last answer, I mean both Matt Canada and Pat Narduzzi might still have to decide for themselves if they want to go back to this respective well. Personally, I think if Canada wants to return, Pitt should take him. He was great while here (albeit with NFL-level talent), had a weird year at LSU that was bad for both sides, and then did a pretty good job trying to keep things together as Maryland's interim HC.

But if you're Canada, do you feel like your career arc is trending in the wrong direction if you return to the same school where you were OC just two years ago? It's an interesting deal, no doubt. As of now, if you're asking me to take Matt Canada or the field, I guess I'll go with the field.
Stucky
2:14
Narduzzi's offensive philosophy seems so antiquated. This run run run philosophy isn't happening really in college football anymore and our offense is from the stone age. Can Heather Lyke make him change to a more wide open passing style?
Brian Batko
2:17
My read on this situation is that Heather Lyke isn't going to MAKE Pat Narduzzi do anything. That would be an untenable relationship for any AD to have with any coach anywhere. I'd say that much is obvious. But if things go really off the rails, would she step in and have a conversation with him about the direction of the program? Sure. They do this with some regularity anyway, as any two high-level teammates probably should. But I'm not sure how much any head coach would want an administrator meddling with his/her philosophies on the sport. That seems unhealthy to me.
QBert
2:17
Hi Brian are you concerned about the recruiting? I think I've read that we are between #44-51 in Rivals for this next class which to me is terrible. Narduzzi hardly ever gets 4 or 5 star guys to play here
Brian Batko
2:20
I don't know about "hardly ever" QBert. He has at least one in every class so far. That's probably a fine recipe for Pitt in its current form - one or two "big fish" if you will, then fill around them with three-star guys you see something in. That's really the key for Pitt to progress as a program. Fans always email me about how recruiting needs to be better, but the way I see it, development of the dudes you can get is much more significant. Of course, you can't polish a ... uh ... one-star recruit, but in the chicken and egg of football success, unless you're cutting corners, finding a way to win with coaching/experience is the jumping off point for recruiting and the rest.
jlockepitt
2:21
I am have a negative outlook on potential for success under the Narduzzi regime.  During the Matt Canada years his defensive adjustments were awful and cost us 1-2 wins.  (Teams would throw 10 fades a game against press coverage).   The continued losses to UNC and the excuses he spouts in press conferences are concerning and do not instill confidence.   I think we will be looking for a new coach in two years.   Only reason why fans can view this tenure in a positive way is that there was so much instability before him any long tenured coach would be welcome.
Brian Batko
2:23
That's another good point to my last long-winded response. Yes, stability is also crucial. A lot of times, I find that changing coaches just to bring in the flavor of the week is an easier sell than sticking with someone who might be the right guy. Now, I don't know that Pat Narduzzi is "the right guy" but if he isn't, I think he's close.
Red and White
2:23
ACC conference championship? Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:24
Yes
Pitt_Narduzzi
2:24
First time long time BB.  Any chance we see any action on signing day? Have you seen Boehemian Rhapsody and is the hype justified.
Brian Batko
2:25
Always a chance with Pat Narduzzi. He's also one for some action in between the second signing day and the season starting, too, don't forget.

And no, I have not. I would like to, though.
Huba
2:26
Assuming that Pitt won't entertain the idea of a transfer QB (Hurts, Martell, etc), do you see them looking for a particular position in the transfer market?  Maybe linebacker TJ Holl from Colgate?
Brian Batko
2:28
This staff always seems to be in on some grad transfers. TJ Holl, originally from Seneca Valley, certainly would bring experience. He's landed offers from Louisville, Tulane and Marshall since deciding to grad transfer. I think Pitt's LBs can be OK next year, but Elias Reynolds bowing out of the Sun Bowl due to a coach's decision was curious.
Coach
2:28
Is it unrealistic of me to think Pitt hoops can go 7-11 in the ACC and get an NIT bid this year?  Do I need to "cool my jets"?
Brian Batko
2:31
Hey there, Coach. It's not that unrealistic, but cooling your jets is still wise. I didn't and still don't think Louisville is the worst team in the ACC, or even in the bottom 3, so last night's result was promising. Pitt can get to your magic number by beating Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Miami and Notre Dame, then stealing one from Syracuse or Clemson.

That would take a lot of consistency from such a young bunch, but it seems a heck of a lot more realistic than it did 24 hours ago.
Greg
2:32
Brian, when Aaron Donald and James Conner committed to Pitt, how were they rated by the recruiting services?
Brian Batko
2:32
Not that high, Greg. Three stars, both.
kevin in Punxsy
2:33
Does Nardog have some kind of phobia, in that he tries to hire people he knows, and who outsiders look at as accepting lesser co-ordinators/coaches.
Brian Batko
2:35
Maybe, KiP. But I don't think it's a phobia of the unknown as much as it's a phobia of the known, if that makes sense. He always seem to make public comments about benign roster moves that aren't reported before they're announced. Narduzzi might relish being able to pull one over on fans, media, etc. who speculate on what he's doing all the time. I'd say he has rarely, if ever, made the obvious or predictable choice in a lot of these situations.
Guest
2:36
Were you at the basketball game last night? I always see a whole section of presumably reporters/journalists with laptops on behind one of the baskets, but I'm not quite sure who exactly they are.
Brian Batko
2:38
Yes, I was there. And yes, that is us. You won't see us there for much longer, though. Once the Pete undergoes its court flip in the offseason, media will be moved to an upper corner rather than courtside, making more room for the Zoo n'at.

As for who, exactly, we are: generally poorly dressed nominal adults who long ago declined to grow up and get real jobs, and sometimes make stupid jokes on Twitter.
Ben
2:38
What was it like being at the men’s basketball game last night. In terms of atmosphere comparing it to previous years.
Brian Batko
2:40
It was good. I was a little disappointed by the size of the crowd - it reaffirmed to me that a lot of local college basketball fans consider UNC and Duke their Christmas and Easter - but those who were there really came alive when needed. Still a far cry overall from what it once was, but the energy was there, and I do believe a young team trying to find its way fed off of that at times.

Last season, even during some ACC games, you could hear individual conversations in the crowd occasionally.
Randy Bates
2:41
True or False - I had a significant impact on the improved defensive play this year?
Brian Batko
2:42
True. There's something to be said for connecting with players and teaching them a defense, even if it's ultimately Pat Narduzzi's system, for the most part.
Ski
2:42
Any updates on Sidy N'Dir?
Brian Batko
2:44
Based on the original timetable for his injury, he probably has another couple weeks to go. Pitt could've used him last night to work through foul trouble, but then again, geez, I don't ever want to see Trey McGowens or Xavier Johnson off the floor.
Inconspicuous Robber
2:45
Hello Brian, Care to tell us your security code and place of residence?
Brian Batko
2:45
DM me
Ryan Ratko
2:46
Hi Bill, any chance someone other than Pickett starts next year? Saw very little promise from him this year
Brian Batko
2:48
How could there not be? Even if you're of the opinion the coordinator did a lousy job, Kenny Pickett didn't do anything to knock it out of the park this year, and with the wild quarterback landscape these days in college football, that's about the only way you can be absolutely sure to keep your job. That doesn't mean Nick Patti (zero game experience), Jeff George (walk-on) or perhaps even Davis Beville (true freshman) will unseat him, but you have to think Pat Narduzzi is at least curious to see if anybody can.
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