Pitt : Mano: Potential Targets for New Pitt OC

Different year, same story.
With Broyles Award finalist and offensive coordinator Matt Canada departing for the same position at LSU, the Pitt Panthers will be hiring their fourth offensive coordinator in four years. There's been good ones, such as Canada and Joe Rudolph, and questionable ones like Jim Chaney.
What’s different about this cycle is that Pitt now has a good blueprint to look for while searching for its next coordinator. The Panthers took a huge step forward in offensive production this year, scoring an extra two touchdowns on average compared to 2015 en route to its highest scoring offense since 1904 (!). This was by far one of the most explosive and creative offenses we’ve seen them run, and Pat Narduzzi will be looking to stay on that path going forward.
Pitt should also have a better selection of candidates this year, as the job has become very attractive after two impressive seasons under Narduzzi along with it catapulting coaches to the SEC twice in a row. With that, here are some potential names to look out for as the search begins.
Tim Salem (current Pitt tight ends coach)
First, we’ll start in-house. Salem has been with Pitt since 2015 when he joined Narduzzi’s first coaching staff in Pittsburgh. Over the span of two years, Salem has become one of Pitt’s best recruiters, bringing in several big 2017 commits such as tight end Charles Reeves and offensive tackle Carter Warren, along with former UCLA tight end Chris Clark. He also coached and developed JP Holtz and Scott Orndoff since arriving, both of whom had outstanding senior years. Salem has prior offensive coordinator experience, serving as play caller at three different FBS schools and was the interim offensive coordinator last year in the Military Bowl, taking Chaney’s place. However, he fell flat in what many thought was his audition for the job with the Panthers only scoring two offensive touchdowns in a loss to Navy. While he may look like a longshot on paper, Narduzzi may look to him as the “safe pick”, as he would run the same system while keeping the recruiting class intact. Look for Salem to once again be the interim coordinator in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 28. We’ll revisit his chances after the game is over.
Tim Beck (current Ohio State quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator)
Beck is one of two Big Ten coaches who might be considered for this job, and it’s for a good reason. Beck has served as a co-coordinator for Ohio State since 2015 after being the offensive coordinator at Nebraska for four years. Beck helped the Buckeyes become the #9 rushing offense in the country this year, which should be very appealing to Narduzzi with the players he has in place. Beck shares Youngstown ties with Narduzzi and has become one of the best recruiters in the Big Ten in the past five years. Leaving Columbus would give Beck full control of the offense, something he doesn’t have currently. He also coaches the same position as Canada did and would gain a nice prospect in Thomas MacVittie, who was rated as a top 100 recruit in the 2016 class by 247Sports. While it's not the likeliest option, Beck would bring the experience Pitt needs, whether it’s play calling or on the recruiting trail, and is a big enough name that people across the country will take notice to.
Brad Salem (current Michigan State quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator)
Out of all the candidates listed, Salem may be the likeliest option. Salem’s name was tied to both of the previous coordinator searches, but both times he decided to stay in East Lansing. Salem is best known for recruiting and grooming Connor Cook, who had a tremendous college career and is now with the Oakland Raiders. Salem has a great relationship with Narduzzi from his days as the defensive coordinator at Sparty and his brother is Pitt assistant coach Tim Salem, who we already mentioned. Brad Salem may be just what the Panthers need, as they’ve had to rely on graduate transfers at quarterback twice since 2013 due to lack the lack of recruiting and development at that position. Salem is also known for being an excellent recruiter, hence the job title, so you can cross that off the list. There’s also a greater chance he jumps at the chance this time around since Michigan State isn’t coming off a CFP berth, rather a 3-9 season, and there’s questions regarding Mark Dantonio’s future as the head coach. Third time might just be the charm for Salem, as full control of the offense and reuniting with old faces might be too much to pass up.
John DeFilippo (current Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach)
DeFilippo was actually one of Narduzzi’s top choices for the offensive coordinator job when he first arrived, but DeFilippo passed on the job before becoming the offensive play caller for the Cleveland Browns. It’s interesting to note that the Browns have not won a game since moving on from DeFilippo. Coincidence? I think not. DeFilippo has spent most of his career in the NFL, serving as the quarterbacks coach with the Raiders and Jets prior to the Cleveland job. His only real experience in the college ranks was at San Jose State where he was the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. While he does shares Youngstown ties with Narduzzi, he does have some question marks. His one year as the coordinator at SJSU resulted in a 5-7 record (they went 11-2 the next season, finishing in the Top 25), and his record with the Browns was 3-13 (then again, when has a coordinator had success there?). Additionally, he does not have much recruiting experience, which is something Pitt really needs to upgrade going forward. A DeFilippo hire would create mixed reactions, but if he has the support of Narduzzi, then that’s good enough for me.
One other name that could pop up is Sterlin Gilbert, who was the Texas offensive coordinator this year but was let go when Charlie Strong was fired. Gilbert is similar to Canada in that he uses a very creative and unique offensive system which produced 2,028 yard rusher D’Onta Freeman. However, due to his name being tied to other openings and having no prior connection Narduzzi or Pitt’s pipeline states, I left his name out for now. Who do you want Pitt to hire? Comment below and leave your thoughts.

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