Pitt coach Narduzzi celebrated with huge extension, while Tomlin’s success is overlooked
by Aubrey Bruce, For New Pittsburgh Courier
When Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi inked a contract extension, possibly catapulting him into the next decade, many folks stated that it was well deserved. On March 28, Dalton Coppola of the Pitt News wrote the following: “Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke has preached that consistency will lead to on-field success. Lyke signed head football coach Pat Narduzzi to a new contract, keeping him in the Steel City through the 2030 season. The financial details of the new pact have not been released to the public. Lyke said the team’s success in 2021 was a direct result of Narduzzi’s ability to foster the close-knit culture in his locker room. ‘Our ACC championship season was the result of a strong culture and foundation that Pat Narduzzi has tirelessly built for Pitt football,’ Lyke said in a statement. ‘That foundation has our program positioned for sustained success well into the future.’”
Here’s the reality. Pitt has won one, count ‘em, one ACC Championship since the tenure of Coach Narduzzi began in 2015. He signed what amounts to an eight-year extension for just an average success rate.
Narduzzi is at the head of the leaderboard in regards to modern-era Pitt head coaches. Narduzzi already held the mark for most conference wins. He also has the best winning percentage in conference games.
Let’s travel next door and discuss the neighbor of Coach Narduzzi, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin has appeared in two Super Bowls, winning one (he should have won both if not for three ill-advised picks thrown by his “future NFL Hall-of-Fame” quarterback “Big” Ben Roethlisberger). Since he was hired by the Steelers in 2007, the Steelers have made nine playoff appearances. They have also won seven division titles, three AFC Championship games, two Super Bowl appearances and winning Super Bowl XLIII. Also, Tomlin’s career record of 153-85-2 ranks 20th all-time (winning percentage of 64 percent).
But ya know what? His success has been minimal as far as many folks in the Steeler nation is concerned. He has been despised and many folks have been mesmerized with staying focused on helping to facilitate his demise.
A conference championship in the NCAA is relative to winning a division title in the NFL. So from that perspective, Mike Tomlin has won the equivalent of seven conference championships in the NCAA by winning seven AFC North Division titles. However, folks have tried many methods to place his career with the Steelers on the chopping block. Last season they tried to promote him and demote him simultaneously by creating false and devious rumors that Tomlin might be interested in the vacant USC position. Coach Tomlin responded and then arose and excused himself from the press conference. “I don’t have time for that speculation. I mean, that’s a joke to me. I’ve got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football? That’ll be the last time that I address it. And not only today but moving forward. Never say never. But never. OK? Anyone else got any questions about any college jobs? There’s not a booster with a big enough blank check. Thank you. Anyone asking Sean Payton about that? Anybody asking Andy Reid about stuff like that?”
On Oct. 26, 2021, sportscasting.com posted this reaction to Mike Tomlin making an abrupt departure from the press conference. “Tomlin then got out of his seat and stormed off the podium, making it quite clear that he is not interested in USC. While Tomlin might not be the next head Trojan, the current state of the Pittsburgh Steelers does beg the question whether either party—Tomlin or the Steelers— would be better off if they parted ways.”
In other words, you don’t have to go home, but you should get the hell outta here. How would have Pat Narduzzi reacted if the Pittsburgh writers would have said the following…: “Hey Pat, Mater Dei High School (the number one high school football program in America) has an opening at head coach, it is rumored that you may be interested, are you?”
This is crazy how blatantly biased and racist these scribes are. Hell, they don’t even attempt to hide it. They applaud Pat Narduzzi signing a new eight-year deal. However, why do certain people despise Mike Tomlin if he gets a two-year extension? Don’t forget the old saying: “A leopard never changes its spots.”
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