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Home , 2003 GMAC Bowl, 2009 Capital One Bowl, 2015 Military Bowl, Darqueze Dennard, Jim Grobe, Matt Canada

COACHING STAFF

As a rising star in the coaching profession, Pat Narduzzi annually entertained overtures from programs throughout the country. In his eight years at Michigan State, Narduzzi built a reputation as one of ’s brightest coordinators. He was a perennial entry on various “hot hires” lists forecasting the next crop of impact head coaches. For Narduzzi, however, becoming a head coach wasn’t as important as finding the right fit. He found that right fit at Pitt. “There wasn’t any doubt, I knew Pitt was the one,” Narduzzi said. “It’s got everything. I think you’ve got the ability to do big things here. There couldn’t have been a better fit.” For Pitt fans, it seemed appropriate that Narduzzi was officially named the Panthers’ PERSONAL INFORMATION new head coach in the midst of the holiday season on Dec. 26, 2014. Like a surprise gift, Narduzzi’s arrival has provided an afterglow that continues to burn bright. He has been BORN: April 22, 1966 instant energy for Pitt, on and off the field. Youngstown, Ohio HOMETOWN: Reflecting their new head coach, the Panthers displayed a tough and tenacious style of play ALMA MATER: Rhode Island, 1990 in 2015. Narduzzi led Pitt to an 8-4 regular-season record—its best 12-game mark since FAMILY: Narduzzi and his wife, Donna, 2009—and a berth in the . Pitt finished as the runner-up in the ACC Coastal have four children: Arianna, Christina, Division with a 6-2 mark, its best conference record ever. Patrick and Isabella. Pitt boasted the ACC’s top offensive and defensive newcomers. Freshman safety Jordan Whitehead was named the league’s Overall and Defensive Rookie of the Year. Redshirt freshman tailback Qadree Ollison, a third-string reserve when the season began, was named COLLEGIATE PLAYING the Offensive Rookie of the Year following a 1,000-yard rushing campaign. EXPERIENCE The momentum carried into the offseason when Narduzzi and his staff signed a 2016 recruiting class rated 32nd nationally by Rivals, Pitt’s highest ranking in eight years. RHODE ISLAND, three-year starter at (1987-89). The son of a head football coach, Narduzzi grew up 70 miles from Pittsburgh in Youngstown, YOUNGSTOWN STATE, starter at linebacker Ohio, a town that also takes pride in its industrial heritage and football tradition. He (1985). embraces and celebrates the culture of the “Steel City,” and wants his football program to reflect the qualities that make Pittsburgh great. “We are going to work very hard on the field, in the classroom and in the community to make COLLEGIATE COACHING Pitt and Pittsburgh proud,” Narduzzi said. “We will play with a tough, blue-collar mentality— EXPERIENCE and how else would you want it in the city of Pittsburgh? When somebody plays the University of Pittsburgh, they’re going to know they were in a brawl. We will work tirelessly as coaches MIAMI (OHIO), 1990-91, graduate and players to get things done every day. assistant; 1992, wide receivers. “I am highly motivated to build this program into national prominence. I’d like to win a bunch RHODE ISLAND, 1993-97, ; of football games here. How are we going to do that? We’re going to do it with relentless energy. 1998-99, . You can win championships here. It’s a world-class university and they expect the best at Pitt.” NORTHERN ILLINOIS, 2000-02, linebackers. Narduzzi arrived at Pitt following eight highly successful years as the defensive coordinator MIAMI (OHIO), 2003, defensive coordinator. at Michigan State. Under his direction, the Spartans were the only team to rank in the nation’s top 10 in total defense and rushing defense each season from 2011-14. CINCINNATI, 2004-06, defensive coordinator. Working under two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year , Narduzzi helped Michigan State to five Top 25 finishes. MICHIGAN STATE, 2007-14, defensive coordinator; 2013-14, assistant head In 2014, the Spartans finished with a No. 5 national ranking and 11-2 record following a coach. stirring 42-41 victory over Baylor in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. Narduzzi’s defense shut out the PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, head coach. high-scoring Bears in the fourth quarter, opening the door for 21 unanswered points by Michigan State in one of the most thrilling games of the 2014-15 bowl season. Michigan State boasted the nation’s top rushing defense in 2014, yielding just 88.5 yards per game. The Spartans finished third nationally with 34 turnovers gained and eighth in total defense, holding opponents to just 315.8 yards per contest. In 2013, Michigan State finished No. 3 in the country following a Big Ten title and 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl. In the wake of that championship season, Narduzzi was named the 2013 recipient of the prestigious , annually presented to the country’s top assistant coach.

22 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE COACHING STAFF

Narduzzi has tutored an impressive list of decorated defensive players, including first team

BOWL GAMES COACHED MEDIA INFORMATION All-Americans in Darqueze Dennard, safety Kurtis Drummond, linebacker Greg Jones and defensive Jerel Worthy. 2003 GMAC Bowl 2004 Fort Worth Bowl Dennard was a unanimous All-American in 2013, becoming the first Michigan State 2007 Champs Sports Bowl cornerback to earn that distinction. He also was the school’s first winner of the Jim Thorpe 2009 Capital One Bowl Award, given annually to college football’s top defensive back. 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl Dennard was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the in 2014, the first Spartans 2011 Capital One Bowl defensive back taken in the initial round since 1961. In the 2015 draft, another Narduzzi pupil,

Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes, was a first-round pick of the . 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl 2016 PREVIEW Narduzzi coached 19 first-team All-Big Ten selections. Four players won the conference’s top individual awards under his watch, including two Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honorees 2015 Cotton Bowl (Dennard in 2013 and Drummond in 2014). Shilique Calhoun was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman 2015 Military Bowl of the Year in 2013 while Greg Jones was the overall Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. In coming to Pittsburgh, Narduzzi was reunited with former Michigan State standout running FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS COACHING STAFF back Le’Veon Bell, now a member of the neighboring . Although Bell played on the opposite side of the ball, he faced Narduzzi’s defense every day in practice in East UNDER NARDUZZI Lansing from 2010-12. The fiery defensive coordinator made a strong impression on him. AT MICHIGAN STATE “When I watched the way he acted with the defense, I could just always tell that our players loved • Safety Kurtis Drummond (2014) him,” Bell said. “They loved playing for him. He is just an overall great guy. He is a player’s coach. • Cornerback Darqueze Dennard He is a guy who is always for his players. He loves his players. He always puts those guys first.” (2013 Unanimous) Prior to Michigan State, Narduzzi spent three years (2004-06) as defensive coordinator under • Defensive Tackle Jerel Worthy Dantonio at Cincinnati, helping the Bearcats to a pair of bowl invitations. (2011 Consensus) PLAYER PROFILES • Linebacker Greg Jones (2009 Consensus, In 2003, Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator at Miami of Ohio under the late Terry 2010 Unanimous) Hoeppner. The RedHawks stormed to a 13-1 record that season, capturing the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship and defeating nationally ranked Louisville in the GMAC Bowl ACC AWARD WINNERS to finish No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. UNDER NARDUZZI While headlined Miami’s offense, Narduzzi’s stout unit topped the MAC in rushing defense (19th nationally), scoring defense (22nd nationally) and pass AT PITT 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW efficiency defense (34th nationally). ACC Overall and Defensive Rookie Narduzzi served as linebackers coach at Northern Illinois for three seasons (2000-02). NIU won a of the Year (Media) pair of MAC divisional titles during his tenure and in 2002 had the league’s top rushing defense. • Safety Jordan Whitehead (2015) From 1993-99, Narduzzi coached at his alma mater, Rhode Island, serving as the Rams’ ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year (Media) defensive coordinator his final two seasons. He began his coaching career at Miami of Ohio, • Running Back Qadree Ollison (2015) working as a graduate assistant in 1990 and 1991, before earning his first full-time position ACC Co-Rookies of the Year (Coaches) as receivers coach for the 1992 season. • Safety Jordan Whitehead and Running Back Qadree Ollison (2015) Narduzzi was an all-state performer at Youngstown’s Ursuline High School, leading the Irish to the Steel Valley championship and Ohio state playoffs as a senior in 1984. He was a RECORD BOOK starting linebacker under his father, the late Bill Narduzzi, as a freshman at Youngstown State BIG TEN AWARD WINNERS University in 1985 before transferring to Rhode Island, where he became a three-year starter for the Rams from 1987-89. UNDER NARDUZZI Bill Narduzzi was head coach at YSU from 1975-85. He led the Penguins to two NCAA Division AT MICHIGAN STATE

II playoff appearances, including the national championship game in 1979, and twice was Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year PITT HISTORY named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year. • Safety Kurtis Drummond (2014) Bill was a tremendous influence on Pat’s decision to pursue coaching as a profession. • Cornerback Darqueze Dennard (2013) “He’s smiling from above,” Pat said at his introductory press conference in reference to his Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year father. “I got here because of him, without a doubt. A guy who would wake you up on a Sunday • Defensive End Shilique Calhoun (2013)

morning and get two hours of work in before church. He pushed and guided me through the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year PRO FOOTBALL process of coaching. • Linebacker Greg Jones (2009) “There were plenty of conversations at the kitchen table growing up in Youngstown where I lived. He’s excited, I know that. He’ll be watching down, so we’ll have another coach up in the big press box.” Narduzzi completed his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Rhode Island in 1990 and later earned a master’s degree in sports studies at Miami of Ohio in 1992. He and his wife, THIS IS PITT Donna, have four children: Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.

22 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 23 COACHING STAFF MATT CANADA /

Matt Canada, a 24-year coaching veteran who over the past three seasons orchestrated some of the most productive offenses in NC State history, was named offensive coordinator at Pitt by Pat Narduzzi in January. Under Canada’s direction, NC State averaged more than 30 points per game each of the past two seasons. In 2015, the Wolfpack scored 33.2 points per contest, the third-highest average in school history. Canada’s Pitt appointment marks a reunion with Narduzzi. The pair worked together at Northern Illinois from 2000-02. Canada served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NC State from 2013-15. Last season, the Wolfpack produced 412.8 yards per game—the fifth-highest average in school history—despite losing leading rusher Matt Dayes (108.1 yards per game) to injury for the final five games. NC State led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally in time of PERSONAL INFORMATION possession (33:03). BORN: January 19, 1972 In 2014, NC State racked up its highest rushing total since 1977 with 2,659 yards. The Wolfpack averaged 6.0 yards per offensive play, the second-highest mark in school annals. HOMETOWN: New Palestine, Ind. NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a 2016 draft pick, threw 43 ALMA MATER: Indiana, 1993 and only 11 his final two years under Canada’s watch. FAMILY: Canada has two children: Brissett was one of just three Power 5 conference quarterbacks in 2014 with at least 2,000 daughter Tori and son Chris. passing yards, 300 rushing yards, 20 passing TDs and five (or fewer) interceptions. The others were Oregon’s Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and UCLA’s Brett Hundley. Canada was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin in 2012. Led by COACHING EXPERIENCE All-America running back Montee Ball, the Badgers averaged 236.4 rushing yards to rank 13th nationally. Ball, who rushed for 1,830 yards and 22 touchdowns, was named the recipient COLLEGE of the prestigious Doak Walker Award, annually presented to the nation’s top running back. INDIANA, 1992, student coach/running backs; 1993, student coach/quarterbacks; Canada’s offense exploded in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game, a 70-31 rout of 1994, graduate assistant/quarterbacks; Nebraska, to earn the Badgers a trip to the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin had two 200-yard rushers 1995, graduate assistant/tight ends. for the first time in school history as it piled up 539 yards on the ground and 640 total against the Cornhuskers. In addition to Ball, the Wisconsin backfield also included James White and BUTLER, 1996, quarterbacks and wide future Doak Walker winner Melvin Gordon. receivers; 1997, offensive coordinator. In 2011, Canada was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for a Northern NORTHERN ILLINOIS, 1998-2000, running Illinois team that averaged nearly 40 points per game en route to an 11-3 record and the backs; 2001-02, quarterbacks; 2003, Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship. The Huskies finished in the nation’s top 12 in offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. scoring (12th, 38.3 ppg.), total offense (11th, 476.0 avg.) and rushing offense (12th, 234.1 INDIANA, 2004, quarterbacks; 2005-06, avg.). Quarterback Chandler Harnish was named the MAC’s Most Valuable Player and ranked passing game coordinator and ninth nationally in total offense (328.2 avg.). quarterbacks; 2007-10, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks. Canada had two stints at Northern Illinois, also serving on the Huskies staff from 1998-2003. He oversaw NIU’s running backs (1998-2000) and quarterbacks (2001-02) before elevating NORTHERN ILLINOIS, 2011, offensive to offensive coordinator in 2003. NIU’s 2003 team upset Alabama, Maryland and Iowa State coordinator and quarterbacks. in earning a No. 12 Associated Press ranking. Canada’s offense featured All-America running WISCONSIN, 2012, offensive coordinator back Michael Turner, who averaged 137.3 rushing yards per game to rank second in the country. and quarterbacks. From 2004-10, Canada coached quarterbacks at Indiana. He was the Hoosiers’ offensive NC STATE, 2013-15, offensive coordinator coordinator his final four seasons (2007-10) after serving as passing game coordinator for and quarterbacks. two years (2005-06). The 2007 Hoosiers posted a school-record 412 points. PITTSBURGH, 2016, offensive coordinator Canada coached two of the most prolific quarterbacks in IU history in Ben Chappell and Kellen and quarterbacks. Lewis. Chappell holds Indiana career records for completions (651) and completion percentage (.611), while ranking third in passes (45) and passing yards (7,251). Lewis holds the season record for touchdown passes (28) and ranks second with 48 career TD passes. Canada is a 1993 graduate of Indiana who began his coaching career as a Hoosiers student assistant (1992-93) and graduate assistant (1994-95). He earned his first full-time coaching appointment at Butler University, where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers in 1996 and was the offensive coordinator in 1997. Canada has two children: daughter Tori and son Chris.

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JOSH CONKLIN MEDIA INFORMATION DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Regarded as one of the nation’s top young defensive minds, Josh Conklin enters his second season as Pitt’s defensive coordinator. Under Conklin’s watch, Pitt’s 2015 defense played with a renewed energy and aggressiveness. This was most apparent in the Panthers’ pass rush, which produced 37 2016 PREVIEW sacks, nearly double their 2014 total of 19. In terms of total tackles for loss, Pitt compiled 88 in 2015 compared to 54 the previous season. Pitt’s defense featured two of the ACC’s most disruptive players. Defensive end Ejuan Price led the ACC and ranked eighth nationally in sacks (11.5 total, 0.88 per game). Safety Jordan Whitehead, the ACC’s Overall and Defensive Rookie of the Year, set a Pitt true

freshman record with 109 tackles and was a consensus Freshman All-American. COACHING STAFF Conklin joined Pitt after building an impressive résumé as FIU’s defensive coordinator for PERSONAL INFORMATION two years (2013-14). In his final season, he was nominated for the prestigious Broyles BORN: June 19, 1979 Award after overseeing a unit that ranked first nationally in recoveries (19), second in defensive touchdowns (six), fourth in turnovers gained (33), eighth in turnover margin HOMETOWN: Gillette, Wyo. (plus-11 overall; 0.92 margin per game) and 35th in total defense (363.8 yards per game). ALMA MATER: Dakota State, 2003 Prior to FIU, Conklin was the safeties coach at the University of Tennessee (2012) and

FAMILY: Conklin and his wife, Molly, have a defensive coordinator and safeties coach at The Citadel (2010-11). While at The Citadel, PLAYER PROFILES son, Clark. Conklin coached cornerback Cortez Allen, a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2011-15. Conklin’s Citadel defenses annually ranked among the best in the Southern Conference. The Bulldogs were especially stingy in scoring defense in 2011, holding their opponents COACHING EXPERIENCE under 20 points in seven of 11 contests (64%). COLLEGE From 2007-09, Conklin coached the defensive backs at Wofford. He added special teams to his responsibilities in his final season working with the Terriers. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, 2003-04, graduate assistant; 2005-06, defensive backs and In Conklin’s initial two years, Wofford had 33 interceptions. The Terriers led the Southern 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW special teams. Conference in 2007 with 20 interceptions and ranked second in 2008 with 13. Wofford WOFFORD, 2007-09, defensive backs; 2009, advanced to the FCS Playoffs in each of those seasons. special teams. Conklin’s coaching career was launched at South Dakota State, where he served as a THE CITADEL, 2010-11, defensive graduate assistant in 2003 and 2004. He was then promoted to a full-time post with the coordinator and safeties. Jackrabbits, coaching their secondary and special teams in 2005 and 2006. TENNESSEE, 2012, safeties. Conklin is a 2003 graduate of Dakota State University. He was a starting linebacker and Academic All-American for the Trojans. FIU, 2013-14, defensive coordinator. RECORD BOOK PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, defensive In addition to his bachelor’s in physical education from DSU, Conklin also owns a master’s coordinator. in sport administration from South Dakota State. He and his wife, Molly, have a son, Clark. PITT HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

24 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 25 COACHING STAFF ANDRE POWELL SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/RUNNING BACKS

In appointing Andre Powell as his special teams coordinator and running backs coach, Pat Narduzzi added to the Pitt staff an accomplished coaching veteran with nearly 30 years of experience. Powell’s influence was evident during the 2015 season. From a special teams standpoint, Pitt led the ACC and ranked fourth nationally with five blocked kicks. The Panthers additionally were among the country’s leaders in punt return defense (19th, 4.19 yards per return) and kickoff return defense (30th, 19.23 yards per return). Under Powell’s watch, running back Qadree Ollison was an All-ACC performer and the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ollison rushed for 1,121 yards and 11 touchdowns on 212 carries (5.3 avg.). He became just the fifth freshman in Pitt history to achieve a 1,000-yard rushing season. PERSONAL INFORMATION Working at Maryland from 2011-14, Powell coached the running backs and, in his final three BORN: September 29, 1966 seasons, served as special teams coordinator. In ESPN’s 2014 team efficiency rankings, the Terrapins’ special teams were rated No. 11 in the country. Maryland’s Brad Craddock was selected HOMETOWN: Lockhart, S.C. the 2014 winner of the prestigious Lou Groza Award, annually presented to college football’s top ALMA MATER: Indiana, 1989 placekicker, after converting 95% of his field goals (18 of 19 with a long of 57 yards). The Terps FAMILY: Powell and his wife, Joann, have led the Big Ten and ranked sixth nationally with a 25.6-yard kick return average. two daughters, Alayna and Mikala, and a In 2012, Maryland boasted a dynamic return game that featured freshman Stefon Diggs, son, Andre II. who totaled 1,896 all-purpose yards, the second-highest season total in school history. Diggs earned All-ACC as a specialist after finishing second in the league with a 28.5-yard kickoff return average. COACHING EXPERIENCE Powell coached at Clemson from 2007-10, overseeing the running backs each of his four seasons and coordinating the special teams his last three. The Tigers went to a COLLEGE each year of his tenure, earning two Top 25 finishes. Powell mentored all-time Clemson great INDIANA, 1988, student assistant; 1989, C.J. Spiller, a 2009 unanimous All-American and ACC Player of the Year. During his decorated graduate assistant. campaign, Spiller became the first running back in ACC history to compile 1,000 rushing SOUTH CAROLINA, 1990, graduate yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season. assistant. Spiller concluded his Clemson career with 7,588 all-purpose yards, the second most in FBS ARMY, 1991, inside linebackers; 1995, history. His seven kickoff return touchdowns set an NCAA record, while his eight total kick running backs. return TDs (including one punt) tied the national mark. Spiller was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the in 2010. VMI, 1992, running backs. RHODE ISLAND, 1993-94, running backs. Powell also tutored All-ACC running back James Davis, the second all-time leading rusher in Clemson history with 3,881 yards. VIRGINIA, 1996, running backs; 1997-99, wide receivers; 2000, running backs. Powell coached running backs at North Carolina from 2001-06. He was the Tar Heels’ special teams coordinator his final three seasons in Chapel Hill. UNC ranked seventh nationally in NORTH CAROLINA, 2001-06, running backs; kickoff returns in 2005 (24.93 avg.) and 29th in 2006 (22.12 avg.). The ’06 Tar Heels also 2004-06, special teams coordinator. ranked 14th in kickoff return yardage defense (17.46 avg.). CLEMSON, 2007-10, running backs; 2008- At Virginia from 1996-2000, Powell coached the running backs (1996 and 2000) and receivers 10, special teams coordinator. (1997-99). Among his pupils were future NFL players Tiki Barber, Germaine Crowell, Thomas MARYLAND, 2011-14, running backs; 2012- Jones, Charles Kirby, Pat Washington and Terrence Wilkins. 14 special teams coordinator. Powell first worked with Pat Narduzzi on the football staff at Rhode Island during the 1993 PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, special teams and 1994 seasons. Powell’s additional coaching stops include Indiana (1989), South Carolina coordinator and running backs. (1990), Army (1991 and 1995) and Virginia Military Institute (1992). Powell is a 1989 graduate of Indiana, where he lettered twice as a fullback and helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Anthony Thompson. He played on a pair of bowl teams for the Hoosiers (1986 All-American Bowl and 1988 Peach Bowl). Powell and his wife, Joann, have two daughters, Alayna and Mikala, and a son, Andre II.

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ROB HARLEY MEDIA INFORMATION LINEBACKERS

Rob Harley enters his second year as Pitt’s linebackers coach. Harley’s debut season witnessed career production from the Panthers’ starting linebackers, indicating big things for the unit in 2016. Departed senior Nicholas Grigsby was an All-ACC performer in 2015 after posting personal 2016 PREVIEW bests in tackles, TFLs and sacks. Grigsby signed with the this past spring. Returning linebackers Matt Galambos and Mike Caprara are viable all-star candidates this year after enjoying their best seasons as Panthers. As Pitt’s starting middle linebacker, Galambos had a career-high 88 tackles, 10 TFLs, five sacks and two interceptions. He forced two that were returned for touchdowns.

Caprara, who entered last year with five career tackles, seized the starting Money COACHING STAFF linebacker job and proved to be a disruptive force with 49 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, five sacks— PERSONAL INFORMATION including one for a safety—and an . BORN: October 16, 1982 Harley joined Pitt after spending the 2014 season as the linebackers coach at FIU, where he HOMETOWN: Elmhurst, Ill. helped the Golden Panthers rank among the most disruptive defenses in college football. ALMA MATER: Ohio State, 2006 FIU ranked first nationally in fumble recoveries (19), second in defensive touchdowns (six), fourth in turnovers gained (33), eighth in turnover margin (plus-11 overall; 0.92 margin FAMILY: Harley and his wife, Danielle, per game) and 35th in total defense (363.8 yards per game). PLAYER PROFILES have a son, Paxton. Harley’s Pitt appointment served as a reunion with Pat Narduzzi. Harley was a graduate assistant at Michigan State for two seasons (2012-13) when Narduzzi was the Spartans’ COACHING EXPERIENCE defensive coordinator. At Michigan State, Harley gained experience on both sides of the ball. In 2013, he worked COLLEGE with the linebackers and special teams, helping the Spartans to a 13-1 record, the Big Ten OHIO DOMINICAN, 2010-11, defensive title and a 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Michigan State’s defense yielded backs, linebackers and assistant special just 252.2 yards per game to rank second nationally. 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW teams coordinator. In 2012, Harley worked with the Spartans’ offense and special teams. Behind 1,793-yard MICHIGAN STATE, 2012, graduate rusher Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State earned a berth in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, where assistant/offense and special teams; it defeated TCU, 17-16. 2013, graduate assistant/linebackers and special teams. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Harley served as the defensive backs/linebackers coach and assistant special teams coordinator at Ohio Dominican University, an NCAA FIU, 2014, linebackers. Division II program. PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, linebackers. A former safety at Ohio State (2001-05), Harley earned three letters with the Buckeyes and was a member of their 2002 national championship team. In Harley’s final three seasons, RECORD BOOK Ohio State posted a 29-8 record, including two victories in the Fiesta Bowl (2003 and 2005 seasons). A 2006 graduate of Ohio State, Harley has deep roots with the Buckeyes. His uncle is the legendary Chic Harley, the first three-time All-American in Ohio State history.

Harley earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Ohio State. He additionally PITT HISTORY owns a master’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State. Harley and his wife, Danielle, have a son, Paxton. PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

26 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 27 COACHING STAFF RENALDO HILL

In hiring Renaldo Hill to his staff, Pat Narduzzi added a coach who spent a decade in the as a versatile and reliable defensive back. A former Michigan State captain and All-Big Ten cornerback, Hill played 10 seasons in the NFL (2001-10) before embarking on his coaching career. The 2016 season marks his second with the Panthers. His impact on Pitt’s corners last season was immediate. This was especially evident with Avonte Maddox, who in his first full year as a starter ranked third in the ACC in passes defended (1.15 per game, 15 total). Maddox was an All-ACC Honorable Mention selection and is primed for greater all-star recognition in 2016. Additionally, graduated cornerback Lafayette Pitts signed with the this PERSONAL INFORMATION past spring. Hill was a three-year starting cornerback at Michigan State, earning first-team All-Big Ten BORN: November 12, 1978 honors as a senior in 2000. A force in defending both the pass and run, Hill compiled 71 HOMETOWN: Detroit, Mich. tackles, five TFLs, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups during his All-Big Ten campaign. ALMA MATER: Michigan State, 2012 One of Hill’s most memorable collegiate plays occurred during his sophomore season in 1998 when he intercepted a pass at the goal line with 1:12 left to seal Michigan State’s 28-24 upset of No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus. COACHING EXPERIENCE A seventh-round selection in the 2001 NFL Draft by the , he would play 10 professional seasons as both a corner and safety. COLLEGE Hill played four years with the Cardinals (2001-04), one year with the Oakland Raiders (2005), WYOMING, 2012, graduate assistant; three years with the Miami Dolphins (2006-08) and his final two seasons with the 2013, cornerbacks. (2009-10). He totaled 141 games, 114 starts and 19 interceptions during his NFL career. PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, cornerbacks. Hill began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wyoming in 2012. He was elevated to a full-time post in 2013, coaching the Cowboys’ cornerbacks. Hill earned his bachelor’s degree in retail management from Michigan State in 2012.

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JOHN PETERSON MEDIA INFORMATION OFFENSIVE LINE

Owning 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, John Peterson enters his second season at Pitt overseeing the offensive line. Peterson molded an offensive front that produced two All-ACC performers and a 1,000- yard rusher last season. Pitt was selected a semifinalist for the inaugural Joe Moore 2016 PREVIEW Award, presented to college football’s most outstanding offensive line and named after the legendary Pitt offensive line coach. Tackle Adam Bisnowaty and guard Dorian Johnson were both named All-ACC as juniors and should receive All-America consideration in 2016. They were instrumental in helping Qadree Ollison rush for 1,121 yards and earn the ACC’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honor.

Peterson owns significant ties to the neighboring state of Ohio, where he spent time as COACHING STAFF a college player and coach. He joined Pitt after serving as the assistant head coach and PERSONAL INFORMATION offensive line coach at Akron under in 2014. BORN: March 20, 1968 Peterson had a highly successful eight-year tenure under at Ohio State (2004- HOMETOWN: Middletown, Ohio 11), when the Buckeyes won or shared six consecutive Big Ten titles. Peterson was an offensive lineman for the Buckeyes from 1987-90. ALMA MATER: Ohio State, 1991 Peterson played under a pair of College Hall of Famers at Ohio State in and

FAMILY: Peterson and his wife, Michelle, PLAYER PROFILES have two sons, Austin and Cole. John Cooper. As a senior starting guard, he helped pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Robert Smith.

Following his 1991 graduation, Peterson served in a pair of graduate assistantships at COACHING EXPERIENCE Cincinnati (1991-92) and Ohio State (1993-94). In returning to the Buckeyes, he had the opportunity to work with offensive tackle Orlando Pace, a two-time winner of the COLLEGE prestigious Lombardi Award who went on to a decorated 13-year career in the NFL. Pace was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. CINCINNATI, 1991-92, graduate assistant. 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW OHIO STATE, 1993-94, graduate assistant. Peterson earned his first full-time coaching post at Akron as offensive line coach from 1995-98. His 1997 unit fueled the country’s No. 11 rushing attack and surrendered just AKRON, 1995-98, offensive line. 10 sacks. MIAMI (OHIO), 1999-2003, offensive line; From 1999-2003, Peterson oversaw the offensive line at Miami of Ohio and was appointed 2001-03, run game coordinator. the RedHawks’ run game coordinator in 2001. OHIO STATE, 2004-11, tight ends and In 2003, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the RedHawks stormed to a 13-1 record, recruiting coordinator. capturing the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship and defeating nationally ranked UAB, 2012-13, offensive line. Louisville in the GMAC Bowl to finish No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. Peterson’s offensive

AKRON, 2014, assistant head coach and line was a vital part of an offense that averaged 501 yards and 43 points per contest. RECORD BOOK offensive line. That championship campaign also marked Peterson’s first collaboration with Pat Narduzzi, PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, offensive line. who was Miami’s defensive coordinator. Peterson returned to Ohio State in 2004 to work under another College Hall of Famer, Jim Tressel, as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Peterson would help the Buckeyes compile an eight-year record of 80-22 (.784) and make two appearances in the BCS PITT HISTORY Championship Game (2006 and 2007). With Peterson overseeing the program’s recruiting efforts, Ohio State had seven classes rated among the nation’s top 15, including top 5 classes in 2008 and 2009. Peterson’s other coaching stop was at UAB for two seasons (2012-13). Under his watch,

offensive tackle Chris Hubbard was a first-team All-Conference USA performer. Hubbard PRO FOOTBALL spent the past three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Peterson and his wife, Michelle, have two sons, Austin and Cole. THIS IS PITT

28 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 29 COACHING STAFF TIM SALEM TIGHT ENDS

Having spent more than three decades in collegiate coaching, Tim Salem boasts experience that is not only extensive but also diverse. Salem has served as offensive coordinator at four different schools and coached four different positions on that side of the ball. Entering his second season as Pitt’s tight ends coach, Salem’s broad perspective is a great asset for the Panthers on the field and in recruiting. In Salem’s initial season at Pitt, the tight ends flourished under his guidance. J.P. Holtz and Scott Orndoff combined for 37 catches, 594 receiving yards (16.1 avg.) and nine touchdowns. Holtz was selected All-ACC and signed with the this past spring. Orndoff, a senior in 2016, is poised for his best season yet after averaging 18.8 yards per catch with five touchdowns last year. Prior to Pitt, Salem spent three seasons at Illinois (2012-14) as special teams coordinator. PERSONAL INFORMATION He also coached the running backs in 2012 and 2013. Salem’s units helped Illinois earn BORN: October 1, 1961 an invitation to the 2014 Heart of Dallas Bowl. Punter Justin DuVernois earned All-Big Ten honors after averaging 44.0 yards per punt to rank second in the Big Ten and 18th nationally. HOMETOWN: Minneapolis, Minn. At UCF from 2004-11, Salem coached some of the most productive and decorated players ALMA MATER: Arizona State, 1985 in school history. In 2007, running back Kevin Smith was a consensus All-American after FAMILY: Salem and his wife, Wendy, have leading the nation in rushing yards (2,567) and rushing touchdowns (29). Smith’s rushing two sons, Taylor and Landan, and a total that season remains the third highest in Bowl Subdivision history, trailing only daughter, Kylan. Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders (2,628 in 1988) and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (2,587 in 2014). UCF won its first Conference USA championship in 2007 with Salem at the controls of the COACHING EXPERIENCE offense. The Knights won 10 games, setting school records for points (502), touchdowns (62) and rushing yards (3,287) in the process. COLLEGE ARIZONA STATE, 1985-86, graduate Overseeing UCF’s special teams, Salem mentored three of the country’s most explosive kick assistant/wide receivers. returners. Rannell Hall (2011), Quincy McDuffie (2010) and Joe Burnett (2008) were all first- team All-Conference USA return men and ranked in the nation’s top 10 in kickoff return PHOENIX COLLEGE, 1987-88, offensive average. McDuffie, in fact, was second nationally with a 32.2-yard average in 2010. coordinator and quarterbacks. In 2003, Salem was the offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and kicking coach at COLORADO STATE, 1989-90, running backs Eastern Michigan. While at EMU, he worked with placekicker Andrew Wellock, who would go and special teams. on to be a Lou Groza Award finalist. 1991-93, quarterbacks; 1994-96, PURDUE, From 1997-2000, Salem was the quarterbacks coach at Ohio State. He added the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator. wide receivers to his positional responsibilities in 2000. In 1998, Joe Germaine was the OHIO STATE, 1997-99, quarterbacks; 2000, Big Ten Player of the Year, throwing for 3,330 yards and 25 touchdowns with only seven quarterbacks and wide receivers. interceptions in leading the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record and No. 2 ranking in the final polls. EASTERN MICHIGAN, 2003, offensive From 1991-96, Salem worked at Purdue where he initially served as quarterbacks coach coordinator and quarterbacks. and then, in his final three years, offensive coordinator. The Boilermakers led the Big Ten UCF, 2004-08, offensive coordinator; 2004, in rushing in 1995. quarterbacks; 2005, tight ends; 2006, wide Salem’s other coaching stops include Colorado State (1989-90) and Phoenix College receivers; 2007-08, running backs; 2009-11, (1987-88). A 1985 graduate of Arizona State, he began his coaching career as a graduate special teams coordinator and tight ends. assistant at his alma mater for two seasons. Salem began his collegiate playing career at ILLINOIS, 2012-14, special teams Minnesota, where he broke the Big Ten record for consecutive pass completions in 1980, coordinator; 2012-13, running backs. before transferring to Arizona State for the 1983-84 seasons. PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, tight ends. Salem comes from a family of coaches. His father, Joe, served as head coach at South Dakota (1966-74), Northern Arizona (1975-78) and Minnesota (1979-83). Tim’s brother, Brad Salem, is the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator at Michigan State. Salem and his wife, Wendy, have two sons, Taylor and Landan, and a daughter, Kylan. Landan serves the Panthers as director of video scouting.

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KEVIN SHERMAN MEDIA INFORMATION WIDE RECEIVERS

In Kevin Sherman, Pitt has a veteran teacher of play whose pupils include some of the most productive pass catchers in recent ACC history. Under his watch, Tyler Boyd was a unanimous first-team All-ACC selection in 2015 after leading the conference and ranking seventh nationally in receptions per game (7.6 avg.). 2016 PREVIEW Boyd was named a Phil Steele All-American and went on to be a second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2016 NFL Draft. Also benefiting from Sherman’s guidance is returning starter Dontez Ford, who ranked third in the ACC and 16th nationally in yards per reception (19.4 avg.). Sherman joined Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt staff after serving the prior two seasons as wide receivers coach at Purdue (2013-14). He is no stranger to the ACC, having also coached COACHING STAFF PERSONAL INFORMATION receivers at Virginia Tech (2006-12) and Wake Forest (2001-05). At Virginia Tech, Sherman mentored the school’s two most prolific pass catchers in Jarrett BORN: November 2, 1968 Boykin and Danny Coale. The pair starred for the Hokies from 2008-11. HOMETOWN: Radford, Va. Boykin, who in 2016 signed with the Buffalo Bills, ranks first in Virginia Tech career annals ALMA MATER: Ferrum College, 1992 with 184 receptions for 2,884 yards (15.7 avg.). Coale, a fifth-round draft choice of the and eventual Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad member, ranks second

FAMILY: Sherman and his wife, Jennifer, PLAYER PROFILES have two children: son James and with 165 catches for 2,658 yards (16.1 avg.). daughter Nioka. Sherman also coached 2008 NFL Draft picks Eddie Royal and Josh Morgan at Virginia Tech. A first-team All-ACC performer, Royal was a second-round pick of the Denver Broncos and was an NFL All-Rookie Team honoree. He is now with the . Morgan was a COACHING EXPERIENCE sixth-round pick of the and also played with the Washington Redskins and Bears. COLLEGE During Sherman’s seven-year tenure in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech went bowling each FERRUM, 1991, student assistant. season (including four BCS bids), captured three ACC titles and compiled a 70-25 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW METHODIST, 1992, wide receivers. record (.737). VMI, 1993, running backs; 1994, wide Working at Wake Forest under Jim Grobe, Sherman coached All-ACC performers John Stone receivers; 1995, quarterbacks and passing and Fabian Davis. Both went on to play in the NFL. Additionally, Jason Anderson set Wake game coordinator; 1996, wide receivers. Forest’s career record by averaging 18.0 yards per reception from 2001-04. OHIO, 1997-2000, wide receivers. Sherman also served as receivers coach under Grobe at Ohio University from 1997-2000. During that four-year period, the Bobcats shed years of losing and emerged as a Mid- WAKE FOREST, 2001-05, wide receivers. American Conference title contender, going 21-11 in MAC play and 25-19 overall. Ohio’s

VIRGINIA TECH, 2006-12, wide receivers. 8-3 record in 1997 marked the program’s winningest campaign in 29 years. RECORD BOOK PURDUE, 2013-14, wide receivers. Prior to Ohio, Sherman worked at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) from 1993-96. He served PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, wide receivers. in multiple coaching capacities with the Keydets, including running backs, quarterbacks and receivers. Sherman coached one of the greatest players in VMI history, All-America running back Thomas Haskins, who became the all-time NCAA I-AA rushing leader with PROFESSIONAL 5,349 yards. He additionally coached quarterback Al Lester, who threw for nearly 4,000 career yards. PITT HISTORY DENVER BRONCOS, summer 2004, NFL internship. A 1992 graduate of Ferrum (Va.) College, Sherman was named a football team captain and the Panthers’ Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1990. After serving Ferrum as a student assistant in 1991, he moved to Methodist (N.C.) College, where he coached the receivers in 1992.

In addition to his wealth of collegiate experience, Sherman also worked with the Denver PRO FOOTBALL Broncos as an NFL coaching intern during the summer of 2004. Sherman and his wife, Jennifer, have two children: son James and daughter Nioka. THIS IS PITT

30 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 31 COACHING STAFF TOM SIMS DEFENSIVE LINE

A rugged defensive tackle at Pitt in the late 1980s who went on to play in the NFL, Tom Sims returned to his alma mater in 2015 to serve as Pat Narduzzi’s defensive line coach. Sims’ imprint on the defensive front was immediate and reflected his own playing style as a collegian. The Panthers were physical and disruptive up front, which helped the overall unit play at its highest level in recent seasons. Sims oversaw the development of two All-ACC performers, defensive end Ejuan Price and defensive tackle Darryl Render. Price, in particular, enjoyed a revival under Sims’ guidance. Limited to six games the prior three years due to injuries, Price led the ACC and ranked eighth nationally in sacks (11.5 total, 0.88 per game). Sims returned to Pitt following five seasons at Youngstown State (2010-14), where he coached an all-conference player each year of his tenure. In total, Sims oversaw the development of six PERSONAL INFORMATION all-conference defensive linemen. BORN: April 18, 1967 In 2014, Sims’ defensive line accounted for 27 of the Penguins’ 29 sacks. Defensive end HOMETOWN: Detroit, Mich. Derek Rivers set the YSU regular-season record with 14 sacks and was named first team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference. ALMA MATER: Pittsburgh, 1990 Prior to Youngstown State, Sims worked with the defensive lines at Kansas (2009), Illinois FAMILY: Sims and his wife, Rene, have two daughters, Sydney and Zoe. (2005-08), Minnesota (2001-04), Eastern Michigan (2000) and Western Kentucky (1997-99). Working under Illinois head coach Ron Zook, Sims produced four All-Big Ten performers. In 2007, Sims’ defensive line accounted for 28.5 of Illinois’ school-record 40 sacks. That season, COACHING EXPERIENCE the Illini advanced to the Rose Bowl, spurred by an upset win at top-ranked Ohio State. During his Minnesota tenure under head coach Glen Mason, the Gophers advanced to three COLLEGE bowl games. The 2003 squad went 10-3 and finished No. 17 in the final coaches poll. During WESTERN KENTUCKY, 1997-99, Sims’ final three seasons, Minnesota notched a combined 81 sacks. defensive line. Sims began his coaching career at Western Kentucky from 1997-99 under head coach Jack EASTERN MICHIGAN, 2000, defensive line. Harbaugh. The two men first met at Pitt when Sims was a player and Harbaugh was the MINNESOTA, 2001-04, defensive line. Panthers’ assistant head coach. ILLINOIS, 2005-08, defensive line. As a collegian, Sims played at the heart of two stout defensive fronts that featured such standouts as Burt Grossman, Keith Hamilton, Tony Siragusa and Marc Spindler. As a senior in KANSAS, 2009, defensive line. 1989, Sims helped the Panthers to an 8-3-1 season and victory in the John Hancock Bowl over YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 2010-14, Texas A&M (31-28). He earned his business degree from Pitt in 1990. defensive line. Sims would go on to play in 47 games in the NFL from 1990-96. He had playing stints with PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, defensive line. the (who drafted him in the sixth round in 1990) and . Sims and his wife, Rene, have two daughters, Sydney and Zoe.

32 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 33 COACHING STAFF

DAVE ANDREWS MEDIA INFORMATION HEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH

One of Pat Narduzzi’s first moves at Pitt was hiring Dave Andrews as head strength and conditioning coach. That move paid major dividends in 2015 as the Panthers achieved their winningest season in five years. Instrumental in the team’s success was the strength and conditioning 2016 PREVIEW regimens orchestrated by Andrews and his staff. Described by Narduzzi as “a highly disciplined coach who instills toughness in our entire program,” Andrews arrived at Pitt with strong credentials in both physical development and as a former player. He was a tight end on Ohio State’s 2002 national championship team and has spent the past decade as a major college strength coach.

He is a certified strength and conditioning coach by the Collegiate Strength and COACHING STAFF Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) and USA Weightlifting (USAW) as a level one PERSONAL INFORMATION sports performance coach. BORN: December 3, 1981 In 2014, Andrews was an assistant director of strength and conditioning at Notre Dame, HOMETOWN: Washington Court House, Ohio which defeated LSU, 31-28, in the Music City Bowl. ALMA MATER: Ohio State, 2004 Prior to Notre Dame, he spent two seasons as the associate head strength and conditioning coach at Illinois (2012-13). From 2005-11, Andrews served in various strength and

FAMILY: Andrews and his wife, Hallie, have PLAYER PROFILES three children: daughter Ella and sons conditioning capacities at the University of Cincinnati, including his final four years when Emerson and Eli. he was the Bearcats’ head Olympic strength and conditioning coach. Andrews was a graduate assistant football coach at Cincinnati in 2004.

Andrews is a 2004 graduate of Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in education. In COACHING EXPERIENCE addition to his undergraduate studies in education, Andrews also owns a master’s degree in that subject from the University of Cincinnati. COLLEGE Andrews and his wife, Hallie, have three children: daughter Ella and sons Emerson and Eli. CINCINNATI, 2004, graduate assistant 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW football coach; 2005-11, strength and conditioning coach. ILLINOIS, 2012-13, associate head strength and conditioning coach. NOTRE DAME, 2014, assistant director of strength and conditioning. PITTSBURGH, 2015-present, head strength

and conditioning coach. RECORD BOOK PITT HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

32 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 33 FOOTBALL STAFF

CHRIS LaSALA ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR/FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

Chris LaSala enters his 20th season overseeing football operations for the University of Pittsburgh. He has served Pitt as an assistant athletic director the past 17 years. A native of Aliquippa, Pa., LaSala ranks among the country’s most respected professionals in his capacity. He truly has proven to be the Panthers’ master of multitasking, handling such diverse responsibilities as team travel accommodations, youth summer camps, coaching clinics and preseason training camp arrangements as well as the daily administration for Pitt’s football team. LaSala also serves as the football program’s liaison to numerous campus offices and within the athletic department. One of LaSala’s most invaluable contributions at Pitt is his daily work with student-athletes in preparing them for life after college. His efforts have made the football program one of Pitt’s most active and enthusiastic teams when it comes to community service. In fact, the PERSONAL INFORMATION football team was recently lauded for logging the most community service hours in the Pitt Athletic Department. BORN: January 7, 1966 LaSala has been an instrumental figure in the dramatic upgrades within Pitt’s practice HOMETOWN: Aliquippa, Pa. facility during the past year. Those enhancements include a new team meeting room, locker ALMA MATER: West Virginia, 1988 room, players lounge and staff conference room. He has also been a creative influence in the FAMILY: LaSala and his wife, Dana, have newly installed graphic displays that showcase the Panthers’ rich football history. one son, Anthony. LaSala has been a primary planner for Pitt’s trips to 14 bowl games: the Military Bowl (2015 season), Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl (2014), Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (2013), BBVA Compass Bowl (2010-12), Meineke Car Care Bowl (2009), Sun Bowl (2008), Fiesta Bowl ADMINISTRATIVE (2004), Continental Tire Bowl (2003), Insight Bowl (2000 and 2002), Tangerine Bowl (2001) EXPERIENCE and Liberty Bowl (1997). LaSala was a member of the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame 2014 induction class. He is TEMPLE, 1988, graduate assistant. a past recipient of the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in service to the PITTSBURGH, 1989, athletic department University of Pittsburgh. LaSala has also been recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of intern. Temple University’s sport and recreation management program. TEMPLE, 1990, football administrative LaSala’s career in athletics began at Temple, where he served as a graduate assistant. He assistant; 1991-93, department recruiting then came to the University of Pittsburgh as an athletic department intern in 1989. coordinator; 1993, assistant athletic director. Prior to his 1997 Pitt appointment, he served three years as the director of football operations at Boston College (1994-96), where he handled all the administrative duties for the football BOSTON COLLEGE, 1994-96, director of program, including overseeing the travel arrangements and organizing BC’s youth camps. football operations. During his tenure, the Eagles captured the 1994 Aloha Bowl and participated in the 1995 PITTSBURGH, 1997-99, director of football Kickoff Classic. operations; 2000-present, assistant Before Boston College, LaSala spent four years at Temple in administration (1990-93) athletic director/football operations. and ultimately was elevated to assistant athletic director. He initially joined Temple as a graduate assistant in 1988 and then returned to the Owls’ football staff in 1990 as the administrative assistant. LaSala graduated from West Virginia in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Temple in 1991. LaSala and his wife, Dana, have one son, Anthony.

34 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 35 FOOTBALL STAFF

BOB JUNKO MEDIA INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH SCHOOL RELATIONS

After spending nearly four decades in the coaching ranks, Bob Junko moved to the administrative side of college football in 2007. Serving as Pitt’s director of player development and high school relations since 2013, Junko is a natural for the role given his tremendous football acumen and contacts. 2016 PREVIEW Junko makes invaluable contributions to Pitt’s annual recruiting efforts and alumni outreach. A past honoree on the Rivals Top 25 Recruiters list, he is widely known and respected throughout the tri-state area. This past February, the Panthers signed a recruiting class ranked among the nation’s 32 best according to Rivals. The 2016 season marks the 20th year of Junko’s second tour with the Panthers. He initially

coached at Pitt from 1982-85, serving as defensive coordinator under head coach Foge COACHING STAFF Fazio. He returned in 1997 as defensive tackles coach under Walt Harris and was elevated PERSONAL INFORMATION to assistant head coach in 2000. BORN: July 4, 1946 Prior to returning to Pittsburgh, Junko was the defensive coordinator at Kent State from 1995-96. Junko also served as the associate head coach and defensive coordinator for HOMETOWN: Washington, Pa. seven years at Akron (1988-94). He additionally held similar positions at Northwestern, ALMA MATER: Tulsa, 1968 TCU and Tulsa, his alma mater.

FAMILY: Junko’s wife’s name is Judy. Their In his first stint with the Panthers, the 1982 team received a Cotton Bowl bid and finished PLAYER PROFILES family includes sons Jay and his wife Kim, ninth in the country. The 1983 Panthers earned a Fiesta Bowl berth and ranked 19th in Jeff and his wife Meredith, and Mike and the final polls. his wife Mistydae. Bob and Judy have eight grandchildren: Ryan, Joshua, Caleb, Bryn, Among the standouts on those defenses were tackle Bill Maas, defensive end Chris Ethan, Lila Rose, Owen and Derek. Doleman and defensive backs Tim Lewis and Tom Flynn, all of whom went on to careers in the NFL. Doleman was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. As a collegian, Junko starred at Tulsa as an inside linebacker and was an Honorable

COACHING EXPERIENCE Mention All-American in 1967. He also was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW team twice and served as Tulsa’s captain. COLLEGE Junko earned a bachelor’s degree in history education in 1968 and his master’s in TULSA, 1968, graduate assistant; 1969, educational administration in 1970 at Tulsa. He has been inducted into the University of freshman coach; 1970-74, linebackers; Tulsa Sports Hall of Fame, Trinity High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Washington- 1975, defensive coordinator. Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. TEXAS CHRISTIAN, 1976-81, defensive In 2015, Junko was named an Honorary Letterwinner by the Pitt Varsity Letter Club. coordinator; 1979-81, assistant head coach. Junko’s wife’s name is Judy. Their family includes sons Jay and his wife Kim, Jeff and his PITTSBURGH, 1982-85, defensive coordinator and linebackers. wife Meredith, and Mike and his wife Mistydae. Bob and Judy have eight grandchildren: RECORD BOOK Ryan, Joshua, Caleb, Bryn, Ethan, Lila Rose, Owen and Derek. NORTHWESTERN, 1986-87, defensive coordinator. AKRON, 1988-94, associate head coach and defensive coordinator.

KENT STATE, 1995-96, defensive PITT HISTORY coordinator and linebackers. PITTSBURGH, 1997-2005, defensive tackles; 2000-2006, assistant head coach; 2006, recruiting coordinator; 2007-12, director of football relations and program enhancement; 2013-present, director PRO FOOTBALL of player development and high school relations. THIS IS PITT

34 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 35 FOOTBALL STAFF DANN KABALA PLAYER PERSONNEL DIRECTOR AND RECRUITING COORDINATOR

A highly valuable figure in Pitt’s year-round recruiting and evaluation efforts, Dann Kabala serves as the Panthers’ player personnel director and recruiting coordinator. The 2016 season marks the fifth year of Kabala’s second tour at Pitt. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Fox Chapel High School, he previously worked with the Panthers as a graduate assistant from 2005-07. Kabala returned in a full-time capacity in 2012 and has been an instrumental figure for Pitt’s rising program. This past February, the Panthers signed a recruiting class ranked among the nation’s 32 best according to Rivals. It was Pitt’s highest rated class by Rivals in eight years and included the vast majority of Western Pennsylvania’s most sought-after prospects. He also helped Pitt land a top-25 class in 2013 according to Scout. Prior to Pitt, he spent four years at the University of Arkansas, where he helped the Razorbacks PERSONAL INFORMATION sign three consecutive top-25 recruiting classes from 2010-12. BORN: October 7, 1978 Kabala served the Arkansas football program in the areas of on-campus recruiting, eligibility HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, Pa. coordination and academic support. He also was responsible for such successful initiatives as the Game Day Guest Professor program; the Razorback 1000-Yard Club, which served ALMA MATER: Indiana University, 2001 to reinforce academic and community achievement; and the Football Academic Game Plan, FAMILY: Kabala is married to the former which helped UA’s football student-athletes achieve unprecedented levels of success in Becky King. the classroom. On the field, Arkansas posted 10-win seasons in each of Kabala’s final two years. The 2011 Razorbacks finished with an 11-2 record, No. 5 national ranking and a victory over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. Kabala boasts experience on the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football. He began his career as a football operations intern with his alma mater Indiana University (Bloomington). He later spent two seasons in the National Football League working with the ’ operations department. Kabala graduated with high distinction from Indiana with a degree in sports marketing and management in 2001 and earned his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007. Kabala played college football at Johns Hopkins University and was ranked eighth nationally in kickoff return average as a freshman. He is married to the former Becky King, a Penn Hills native and University of Pittsburgh graduate.

36 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 37 FOOTBALL STAFF

BEN MATHERS MEDIA INFORMATION DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

Ben Mathers enters his second year as Pitt’s director of football operations. In this capacity, Mathers is an invaluable figure in ensuring the program’s numerous activities and itineraries run smoothly and efficiently. His chief focuses include player and coach daily regimens, coordination of road game 2016 PREVIEW transportation and the team’s expanded training table. Prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh, Mathers spent seven total seasons with the Michigan State football program. As an operations assistant during the 2014 season, he was instrumental in the Spartans’ recruiting efforts, especially from a social media and special events standpoint. Mathers spent two years as an operations graduate assistant

(2012-13) and four years as a student assistant in the video department (2008-11). COACHING STAFF The Spartans advanced to a bowl game in each of Mathers’ seven seasons with the PERSONAL INFORMATION program, finishing among the nation’s Top 5 his final two years. BORN: September 14, 1988 In 2014, Michigan State went 11-2 and earned a No. 5 national ranking following a 42-41 HOMETOWN: Bloomfield Hills, Mich. win over Baylor in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. In 2013, the Spartans finished No. 3 in the country following a Big Ten title and 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. ALMA MATER: Michigan State, 2011 A 2011 communications graduate from Michigan State, he is completing his master’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports administration from MSU. PLAYER PROFILES 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW RECORD BOOK PITT HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

36 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 37 FOOTBALL STAFF MARK DIETHORN DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

Mark Diethorn is in his fifth season working with the Pitt football program. After serving as assistant director of player personnel in 2014, Diethorn was promoted to director of recruiting by Pat Narduzzi last year. This past February, the Panthers signed a recruiting class ranked No. 32 nationally by Rivals. Diethorn played a crucial role in this success and was particularly instrumental in the area of prospect communications and recruiting initiatives. He also helped Pitt land a top-25 class in 2013 according to Scout. A native of Belle Vernon, Pa., and graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School, Diethorn joined the Panthers in 2012 after working in various business sectors, including time spent as a business analyst at PNC Financial Group. He was not without impressive football credentials upon arriving at Pitt. Diethorn worked at PERSONAL INFORMATION the University of Florida from 2009-10, serving on the Gators football staff as a recruiting BORN: February 25, 1986 assistant. He contributed to the signing of two top-12 recruiting classes, including the Gators’ 2010 class that was ranked No. 1 nationally by Scout and ESPN. He also spent time HOMETOWN: Belle Vernon, Pa. as a student-athlete compliance monitor while at UF. ALMA MATER: Virginia Tech, 2007 Diethorn is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in business information technology and operations management. He earned his master’s in sport management from Florida and his MBA from Pitt’s Katz Graduate School of Business.

38 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE FOOTBALL STAFF

ROB BLANC MEDIA INFORMATION HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER

Rob Blanc enters his 29th year as head football athletic trainer and clinical instructor at Pitt. With his exceptional sports medicine knowledge and experience, Blanc is a tremendous resource for the entire Pitt Athletic Department. Widely respected by his peers, Blanc is a past recipient of the NCAA Division I Head Athletic 2016 PREVIEW Trainer of the Year Award presented by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). He has also been honored with the Distinguished Merit Award from the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society in recognition of his dedicated service, past achievements and outstanding professional contributions that have furthered the advancement of the athletic training profession in the Commonwealth.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Panthers’ football program, Blanc has a lead COACHING STAFF role with the Pitt Performance Team, a unique blending of the university’s numerous PERSONAL INFORMATION resources that focuses on the development and welfare of the total student-athlete. He also helps coordinate sports coverage, budget, inventory, drug testing and counseling. BORN: February 28, 1960 Blanc is an adjunct clinical instructor for Pitt’s NATA-approved undergraduate athletic HOMETOWN: Bethel Park, Pa. training curriculum. He has co-authored two textbooks, Emergency Care in Athletic ALMA MATER: Slippery Rock, 1982 Training and Athletic Training Case Scenarios: Domain-Based Situations and Solutions, with three graduates of the University of Pittsburgh athletic training program.

FAMILY: Blanc’s wife’s name is Peggy. He PLAYER PROFILES has three children: son Jason and Blanc graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1982 and earned his master’s in athletic daughters Jordan and Shannon. training in 1984 from Ohio University. He was also a certified paramedic and was involved in an emergency medical service for 17 years in nearby Bethel Park, Pa. A native of Pittsburgh, Blanc served as head athletic trainer at neighboring Duquesne University for two years before joining the Panthers’ staff. Blanc began his athletic training career as the head athletic trainer at New Lexington

(Ohio) High School in 1983. A year later, he began working for the Pittsburgh Steelers on a 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW part-time basis, serving at training camp and at all home games. Blanc’s wife’s name is Peggy. He has three children: son Jason and daughters Jordan and Shannon. RECORD BOOK PITT HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

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DAVE BUCAR PHIL DeCAPITO OFFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT DEFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT Entering his sixth season on the Pitt Phil DeCapito enters his second year football staff, Dave Bucar has served as a defensive graduate assistant at the program in varied yet invaluable Pitt. He arrived in Pittsburgh prior roles. He is in his second year as an to the 2015 season already owning offensive graduate assistant under Pat significant ties to the Panthers’ staff. Narduzzi after previously working with DeCapito worked with defensive line the Panthers from 2009-12. coach Tom Sims from 2012-14 when During his initial Pitt tenure, Bucar was they were both at Youngstown State. an offensive graduate assistant, quality Moreover, DeCapito’s father, Philip, control assistant and also worked in the played on a pair of NCAA playoff football video department. During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he teams at YSU under the late Bill Narduzzi (father of Pitt head coach was the offensive line coach at Tiffin University. Pat Narduzzi) in 1978 and 1979. A 2009 graduate of nearby Washington & Jefferson College with a DeCapito brings both playing and coaching experience to Pitt. A native degree in business management, Bucar was an exceptional offensive of Warren, Ohio, he was a standout football player and wrestler at lineman for the Presidents, a perennial national playoff contender at Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School, earning first-team All- the NCAA Division III level. He made 38 consecutive starts at center Trumbull County honors as a senior lineman. DeCapito went on to and was named an All-American following his senior season in 2008. play four seasons at Emory & Henry (Va.) College, where he earned his Three times he was selected to the All-Presidents Athletic Conference bachelor’s degree in education and physical education. (PAC) Team. DeCapito got his start in coaching working with the offensive A native of Trafford, Pa., Bucar was a three-year starter at Penn-Trafford and defensive lines at Emory & Henry (2010-11) before joining High School and played in the Foothills Football Classic all-star game. Youngstown State. DAN GERBERRY ROB GREENE OFFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT DEFENSIVE GRADUATE ASSISTANT Former NFL center Dan Gerberry enters Rob Greene enters his first season as his first season on the Pitt football staff a Pitt defensive graduate assistant. as an offensive graduate assistant. A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Greene Gerberry spent the 2015 season at joins the Panthers after serving last West Virginia as a graduate assistant season as a graduate assistant wide coaching the tight ends. Prior to WVU, receivers coach at North Greenville he spent two years on the staff at University, an NCAA Division II program. Youngstown State, serving as tight Greene was a college wide receiver ends coach in 2014 and as an offensive himself. From 2010-13, he played quality control assistant in 2013. for Wofford College, which made three NCAA Division I playoff As an NFL player, Gerberry was a member of the from appearances and won two Southern Conference titles during his 2009-11. In his final season with the franchise, Detroit went 10-6, career. Greene played as a graduate transfer at North Greenville in advancing to the NFC playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Gerberry 2014, helping the Crusaders defeat Shorter University, 42-16, in the would later sign a free-agent contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Victory Bowl. in 2013 before embarking on his coaching career. A magna cum laude graduate of Wofford, Greene earned his As a collegian at Ball State, Gerberry established himself as one of bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He was a perennial Dean’s List the most durable and dependable offensive linemen in school history. student and was named to the Southern Conference Academic Roll He made an astonishing 50 starts at center under Coach Brady Hoke three times. from 2005-08. A two-time team captain, Gerberry played at the heart of some highly prolific Ball State offenses. As a senior in 2008, he was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) performer and helped the Cardinals rack up a school-record 6,195 yards in total offense. BSU finished 12-2 that year, advancing to consecutive bowl games for the first time ever. Gerberry is a 2009 graduate of Ball State with a degree in health science and physical education. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, he was a football standout at Austintown Fitch High School. He and his wife, Jaclyn, have a daughter, Dani.

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A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Thatcher was a first-team All-Greater WESLEY BESCHORNER Catholic League performer at famed Moeller High School. A four- MEDIA INFORMATION OFFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL year varsity contributor, he distinguished himself as a defensive An All-America quarterback at the back and all-purpose player on offense. University of South Dakota, Wesley Thatcher earned his bachelor’s degree in administration of justice Beschorner enters his first season on from Pitt in 2008. He and his wife, Britni, have one son, Eli. the Pitt staff as an offensive quality control assistant. LANDAN SALEM

In Beschorner, the Panthers are gaining 2016 PREVIEW not only an accomplished former player DIRECTOR OF VIDEO SCOUTING but also a highly experienced coach. He Landan Salem enters his second spent the past 10 seasons on the South season on the Pitt football staff, Dakota staff, serving seven years as serving as director of video offensive coordinator and four as associate head coach. scouting.

During his USD coaching tenure, Beschorner developed some of Salem is an important contributor COACHING STAFF the most explosive offensive players in school history. The powerful to Pitt’s recruiting efforts and offensive units under his watch mirrored his own playing career with evaluations. His efforts helped the the Coyotes from 2001-05. Panthers’ land a highly regarded A three-year starting quarterback, Beschorner is one of the most signing class this past February. accomplished players in USD history. He set 33 school records, He joined Pitt after working as a recruiting assistant at Michigan including career standards for passing yards (6,240), passing State in 2014. During his one season in East Lansing, the touchdowns (64) and touchdown accountability (87). Spartans finished with a No. 5 national ranking following a PLAYER PROFILES As a senior in 2005, Beschorner was a first team All-American and stirring Cotton Bowl victory over Baylor. finished as the runner-up for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, During the 2012 and 2013 seasons, Salem worked at Illinois as annually presented to the Division II College Football Player of the a player personnel and special teams assistant. He spent the Year. That season he passed for more than 3,000 yards and accounted summer of 2013 gaining NFL experience as an operations intern for 47 touchdowns against just four interceptions. with the Indianapolis Colts. Salem was also an intern with the Beschorner is a 2005 graduate of South Dakota with a bachelor’s Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League in 2011. degree in history education. He went on to receive his master’s degree

He is a 2014 graduate of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW in athletic administration from USD in 2008. He and his wife, Kiki, agricultural and consumer economics. have two sons, Burke and Rhett. EMIL BOURES ERIC THATCHER RECRUITING ASSISTANT DEFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL Emil Boures is in his second Eric Thatcher, a hard-hitting safety season as a recruiting graduate at Pitt from 2004-08, returned to the assistant and third year overall Panthers’ program in 2015 to serve as with the Pitt football staff. RECORD BOOK a defensive quality control assistant. In his current capacity, Boures This is Thatcher’s second stint on plays a pivotal role in the Panthers’ the Pitt football staff. In 2010, he year-round recruiting efforts was a defensive graduate assistant, that landed a highly regarded contributing to a unit that finished 2016 class. Prior to his work with eighth in the country in total defense recruiting, he served as a volunteer PITT HISTORY (305.1 yards per game). operations assistant during the 2014 season. Thatcher coached at Slippery Rock University from 2013-14, helping A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Central Catholic High School, “the Rock” advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs each season. He Boures’ ties to Pitt football are extensive. His father, Emil Sr., was initially joined SRU as linebackers coach in 2013 and was elevated to a standout offensive lineman for the Panthers from 1978-81 special teams coordinator and secondary coach in 2014. and played six NFL seasons, five with the Steelers and one with PRO FOOTBALL Thatcher also owns experience in the National Football League. In the Browns. 2012, he was a quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills. Boures has served as the director and head of marketing for the He additionally served as defensive backs coach at Mercyhurst Joe Moore O-Line Camp, named in honor of the famed former Pitt University (2011) and Saint Vincent College (2009). offensive line coach. Boures earned an associate’s degree in sports management and

Thatcher finished his Pitt career by making 25 consecutive starts at THIS IS PITT free safety. He was considered the “quarterback” of the Panthers’ bachelor’s degree in business management from the University secondary his junior and senior seasons, making all the defensive of Phoenix. back calls. His play helped the 2007 unit finish fifth nationally in total defense, yielding just 297.7 yards per game.

40 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 41 FOOTBALL STAFF FREDDIE WALKER JUSTIN HASER ASSOCIATE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING GRADUATE ASSISTANT Freddie Walker is in his second season on A former lineman at Ohio University, the Pitt strength and conditioning staff. Justin Haser joined Pitt this past Walker, who was elevated to associate spring as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach this strength and conditioning coach. past offseason, plays a lead role in the Prior to joining the Panthers, Haser physical development of the Panthers. assisted the strength staff at his Prior to Pitt, Walker was on the strength alma mater, working with Ohio’s staff at Illinois (2012-14), working with football and wrestling programs. the Fighting Illini football team. He was Haser was an offensive lineman promoted to an associate coach role for for the Bobcats from 2011-13 before his career ended prematurely his final season in Champaign. due to injury. Spending his final season working with the strength Walker additionally served as a graduate assistant strength coach at and conditioning staff, he earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise Michigan State, working with the Spartans’ Big Ten title team in 2010 physiology from Ohio in 2015. and Legends Division champion squad in 2011. Haser is a Pittsburgh native and graduate of North Allegheny High A native of Lansing, Mich., and graduate of Grand Ledge High School, School. An outstanding two-way lineman for the Tigers, he was Walker played defensive back at Bowling Green. He graduated named the Class AAAA Co-Player of the Year and first team all- from BGSU in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology while state by the Pennsylvania Sports Writers his senior year. specializing in exercise science. In 2012 he earned his master’s degree from Michigan State in kinesiology-exercise physiology. Recently engaged, Walker’s fiancée is Susie Jean. DALE THORNTON ATHLETIC TRAINER Dale Thornton returned to the Pitt AUSTIN ADDINGTON-STRAPP football program this past offseason ASSISTANT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH as an athletic trainer. Owning two Austin Addington-Strapp, a former degrees from the University of collegiate football and baseball player, Pittsburgh, Thornton got his start in is in his second season on the Pitt the athletic training profession as strength and conditioning staff. a Pitt undergraduate working with the Panthers’ football, baseball and From 2012-14, Addington-Strapp was swimming and diving teams. on the football strength staff at Illinois. He joined the Illini from Ohio Dominican For the past three years, Thornton served as the head football University, his alma mater, where he built athletic trainer at Slippery Rock University. He additionally oversaw a strength and conditioning program for coverage for the women’s lacrosse team while assisting with the the athletic department from scratch. field hockey and track and field programs. Addington-Strapp was a two-sport athlete at Ohio Dominican. A Thornton is a 2010 graduate of Pitt with a bachelor’s degree in tough and tenacious linebacker, he posted a career-high 77 tackles athletic training. He was a graduate assistant athletic trainer for as a senior in 2008 to help ODU to a 7-3 record. Additionally, he was Pitt football for two seasons (2010-11) before earning his master’s a pitcher for Ohio Dominican’s baseball team. degree in sports medicine and nutrition in 2012. He also was a graduate assistant on Bowling Green’s strength staff Thornton also has athletic training experience in the professional during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. ranks. He was an intern with the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2009 Major League Baseball season. Thornton additionally served A native of Gahanna, Ohio, Addington-Strapp is a product of St. a year-long internship in the NFL with the Francis DeSales High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in in 2012-13. sport management from Ohio Dominican in 2009 and completed his master’s degree in kinesiology and sport management at Bowling He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). Green in 2011.

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KATHRYN ZIRPOLI JOHN LINTNER MEDIA INFORMATION ATHLETIC TRAINER ASSISTANT VIDEO COORDINATOR A 2014 honors graduate of the University John Lintner enters his second year of Pittsburgh, Kathryn Zirpoli enters her as assistant video coordinator for first year as an athletic trainer with the Pitt football. In this capacity, Pitt football team. he helps orchestrate various aspects of the Panthers’ year- Zirpoli is very familiar with the Panthers’ round video operations.

sports medicine program. As an 2016 PREVIEW undergraduate, she worked with the Pitt A 2013 graduate of Miami of football, wrestling and women’s soccer Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in teams before earning her bachelor’s kinesiology and health, Lintner degree in athletic training. worked in the RedHawks’ football video office for two years as a student assistant. He then The past two years, Zirpoli was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at went to Sacramento State as video coordinator for its Football Florida State, where she worked with the football and sand volleyball COACHING STAFF Championship Subdivision program from 2013-14. programs. She earned her master’s degree in sport management from FSU in April. Lintner gained his first association with Pat Narduzzi during the 2014 season, serving as a football video and technology intern Zirpoli’s additional experience includes time as a student athletic trainer at Michigan State. He additionally had a stint in the Atlanta at neighboring Chatham University and an athletic training internship Falcons’ video department in the summer of 2015 before joining with the Arena Football League’s Pittsburgh Power. the Panthers. She is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). MATTHEW DOMPREH PLAYER PROFILES OLIVIA WISHMAN VIDEO GRADUATE ASSISTANT GRADUATE ASSISTANT ATHLETIC TRAINER Matthew Dompreh is in his second Olivia Wishman is in her first season season as a video graduate as a graduate assistant athletic trainer assistant with Pitt football. While for Pitt football. working with the Panthers, Dompreh is pursuing his master’s degree in Wishman arrives in Pittsburgh following 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW her graduation from Louisiana State, Pitt’s School of Education. where she earned her bachelor’s degree A native of Albuquerque, N.M., in athletic training. She was a student Dompreh earned his bachelor’s athletic trainer for LSU, working with the degree in sport management from Tigers’ football, swimming and diving Western Kentucky in 2014. He was the lead student intern in the and women’s basketball programs. Hilltoppers’ football video department as a senior, assisting in all In addition to her LSU experience, Wishman was an athletic training aspects of the office’s operations. intern with the Buffalo Bills for 2015 training camp and preseason Prior to his Pitt appointment in August 2015, Dompreh worked games. She also worked this past year’s Alabama-Mississippi High at the University of Houston as a video assistant, focusing on RECORD BOOK School Football All-Star Game. the Cougars’ football and track and field teams. His additional Wishman was a recipient of the Professional Football Athletic experience includes the 2014 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Trainers’ Society Undergraduate Scholarship. Boasting a 3.98 Four in Nashville, where he was an event assistant. undergraduate grade point average, she was named the 2015 Doctor Martin J. Broussard Athletic Training Student of the Year for exemplary performance in the classroom and training room. PITT HISTORY Wishman is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

42 PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE PITT FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 43 FOOTBALL STAFF TIM ENRIGHT JIM PANAGOS EQUIPMENT MANAGER VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT Tim Enright is in his 20th year as the Jim Panagos, a highly respected head equipment manager for the Pitt defensive line coach with both football team. Enright supervises the collegiate and NFL experience, is equipment operation for more than 100 a Pitt volunteer assistant for the team members, including organizing 2016 season. travel and transportation of equipment Panagos spent the past four years for away games and managing the at Rutgers, where he tutored such day-to-day equipment needs for the standouts as Darius Hamilton, players and coaching staff. Kemoko Turay, Marcus Thompson Enright has a long association with and Scott Vallone. His defensive Pitt football and the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate at fronts helped the Scarlet Knights to three bowl games. Pitt, he was a student football manager (1987-91) and served as the From 2007-11, Panagos was the defensive line coach at Central team’s head manager his senior year. Florida, where he played an instrumental role in the program’s A 1991 graduate of Pitt, he returned to his alma mater in 1993 as national rise. UCF achieved some of the greatest seasons in an assistant equipment manager in charge of the men’s basketball program history during his tenure, including the historic 2010 team. Enright was promoted to his current post with the football campaign when the Knights went 11-3, won Conference USA and team in 1997. He has handled the equipment travel for 16 bowl defeated Georgia in the Liberty Bowl. games in total at Pitt. The 2010 Knights ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense (17.1 Enright’s wife’s name is Tara. points/game), eighth in rushing defense (108.4 yards/game), 15th in total defense (315.4 yards/game) and 18th in pass efficiency defense (113.0 rating). DANNY KOZUSKO In 2009, Panagos was named National Defensive Line Coach of the Year ASSISTANT EQUIPMENT MANAGER by FootballScoop.com after UCF finished fourth nationally in rushing Danny Kozusko is in his 13th season defense (82.8 yards/game) and sixth in sacks (2.92 sacks/game). with the Pitt football program. His Under Panagos’ tutelage, UCF defensive end Bruce Miller was a duties include assisting in the daily two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and finished as the equipment operations for the football school’s career sacks leader with 35.5. Miller was selected by the team and coaching staff. San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft. Kozusko initially joined the Panthers From 2002-05, Panagos was on the Minnesota Vikings staff, as a student manager from 2004-07. initially serving in a quality control capacity before becoming a He was the recipient of the athletic defensive line and special teams assistant. department’s prestigious George I. Carson Graduate Fellowship Award. Panagos played collegiately at Maryland (1989-92), leading the Terrapins in sacks and tackles for loss as a senior defensive tackle. He Kozusko’s professional background includes experience with other earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Maryland in 1993. sports teams in the city. From 2000-03 he worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, assisting the team at all home games and during training A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Panagos and his wife, Maureen, have camp in his hometown of Latrobe. He also interned with the three children: Jack, Hayden and Olivia. Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2006 season, working in ticketing, marketing and customer relations. Kozusko is a 2007 graduate of Pitt with a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetoric. He and his wife, Lauren, who earned her pharmacy doctorate from Pitt, have one son, Paxton.

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SCOTT COVERT VICKI KLINE MEDIA INFORMATION VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO COACH NARDUZZI Scott Covert is in his second season as a volunteer assistant with the Pitt football program. A former collegiate player himself, Covert spent two seasons at the

University of Iowa before transferring 2016 PREVIEW to California University of Pennsylvania, where he was a letterman at fullback and on the defensive line. He graduated from Cal with a degree in liberal studies. An Illinois native, Covert starred at Lake Forest High School and was

a decorated lineman, earning all-conference, all-county, all-area and LYNNIE KOONTZ COACHING STAFF special mention all-state. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR RECRUITING Covert owns strong family ties to Pitt and Pittsburgh. His father, Jim, was a two-time All-America offensive tackle for the Panthers (1981- 82) before playing eight NFL seasons with Chicago, including the Bears’ famed 1985 Super Bowl championship year. Jim’s No. 75 jersey was retired by Pitt in 2015. PLAYER PROFILES MATT TOMSHO VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT Matt Tomsho is a volunteer assistant with the Pitt football program for the 2016 season. WALTER “MOUSE” McCULLOUGH Tomsho arrives at Pitt after working VOLUNTEER EQUIPMENT ASSISTANT with NC State the past five seasons. 2015 SEASON IN REVIEW From 2011-14, he was a student manager for the Wolfpack, ultimately elevating to the head manager role. Last fall he served as a student assistant working with the NC State offensive staff, including new Pitt offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Tomsho is a 2015 graduate of NC State with a bachelor’s degree in

mechanical engineering. RECORD BOOK PITT HISTORY PRO FOOTBALL THIS IS PITT

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