Analysis: Long, difficult rebuilding process continues while Pitt enters 2nd half of training camp

By the time coach Pat Narduzzi called for lights out in the team hotel Monday night, Pitt was in training camp for 13 days.

When players get back to work Tuesday morning — after the first intrasquad scrimmage of the summer last Saturday — 12 more remain before game-week practices begin in preparation for the opener Aug. 31 against Kent State at Acrisure Stadium.

What has Narduzzi learned so far? Nothing that he wants to talk about too much, given the dramatic changes in staff, roster and approach introduced this year. Narduzzi has the unique opportunity to show opponents things they never have seen from him in 3 1/2 decades of coaching.

Nonetheless, reporters asked Pitt’s coach that question last week after the first fully padded practice of August.

“I learned that we have a ways to go in every phase like every team in the football world does,” he said.

Of course, there will be growing pains he doesn’t want to dwell upon, or even discuss. If he has done his job correctly and hired the right coaches and chosen the right players, those pains will dissipate over time.

Soon enough for Pitt to recover from a 3-9 season with, at least, a finish in the top half of the ACC standings? Some people might say no.

There are no shortages of preseason predictions, polls and power rankings that pop up on the internet this time of year, and most are assembled by smart people who constantly study this stuff.

Let’s take the recently-released ESPN ACC power rankings posted Monday by veteran reporters Andrea Adelson and David Hale.

Pitt is picked to finish 12th in the 17-team conference — there was no projected won/loss record — behind newly minted ACC member SMU, plus Syracuse, California and Georgia Tech.

SMU is legit after winning the American Athletic Conference last season and bringing back quarterback Preston Stone, who threw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Pitt visits the Mustangs in Dallas on Nov. 2.

But Syracuse, California (formerly of the Pac-12) and Georgia Tech each posted unremarkable 6-6 records in the 2023 regular season.Why the disrespect for the Panthers?

Actually, it makes sense.

No one, not even Narduzzi, knows exactly how quickly players will adapt to the new offense. There is plenty of optimism, but will it turn into enough yards, touchdowns and victories?

The defensive personnel appear to be young in some areas, but they are athletic and eager (by all accounts) in others. Their progress will be interesting to watch.

Five defensive starters left Pitt via the transfer portal, and two ends who have joined coach Deion Sanders at Colorado, Dayon Hayes and Sam Okunlola, appear to be doing well. So well Sanders felt compelled to thank Narduzzi for sending them his way.

Sanders’ remarks clearly were triggered by Narduzzi’s reference to an unidentified former Pitt player who left via the portal and had “a low motor,” compared with new defensive end Chief Borders, who has “one of the best motors I have seen.”

Hayes took offense, according to what Sanders said Friday.

“I want to digress a bit and thank the head coach from Pittsburgh for really preparing those young men for us,” Sanders said. “He did a great job. I love those two young men. They’re really great players, and they’re going to be pros. And I heard that someone took a shot at one of them verbally (laughs). Mr. Hayes just wanted me to make sure I add that in for him. But thank you, Pittsburgh. I appreciate everything. God bless you.”

Coach Prime kept the receipts ????

When talking about Pitt transfers Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola Prime said “I want to thank the head coach from Pittsburgh for preparing those young men for us” https://t.co/t2IykEBzlBpic.twitter.com/URPSmbUB3c

— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) August 9, 2024

There’s no question Hayes and Okunlola would have been important pieces for Pitt, but the transfer portal forced Narduzzi to reload.

The bigger issue is Pitt and Colorado each have big reclamation projects on their hands. While Pitt finished 3-9, Colorado was 4-8 and closed last season on a six-game losing streak.

Pitt’s schedule might facilitate the process for the Panthers. The Associated Press preseason poll was released Monday, and only one team from the Top 25 — No. 14 Clemson — is on Pitt’s schedule. Missing are No. 10 Florida State, No. 19 Miami, No. 24 N.C. State and Virginia Tech. The Hokies are fifth in the ACC power rankings.

Narduzzi understands building a team is a difficult task, and what happens in August only sets the foundation. An easier schedule might help, but players and coaches must take it from there.

“You’re bringing everybody together in every facet,” he said. “It’s not easy bringing all these guys in and trying to get them to do what you want them to do on the field, off the field.

“That’s the challenge. That’s coaching. That’s what they pay us to do.”

You get the feeling that if coaching was easy, Narduzzi wouldn’t want to waste his time doing it.