Boston College offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. is one of the candidates being considered by Pat Narduzzi for Pittsburgh's open OC position, sources told Panther-Lair.com of the Rivals network. Cignetti, a Pittsburgh native, was the Panthers' OC and quarterbacks coach during the 2009-10 seasons.
Mark Whipple was Pitt's most recent OC. He served that role for three years, mentoring 2021 Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett and guiding a Panthers offense that ranked third nationally in scoring and sixth in passing this season. Whipple stepped down from his post at Pitt following the team's ACC championship and then took the offensive coordinator gig at Nebraska.
Pitt will return Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, who was fourth in the FBS in receiving yards (1,593) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (17) this season. Narduzzi also reeled in former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Kedon Slovis from the transfer portal. The USC quarterback has two years of eligibility and will look to restore his first-round prospects with the Panthers.
BC's coaching staff has remained intact through head coach Jeff Hafley's first two years with the program. Hafley, a former Pitt staffer himself, brought on Cignetti not only as his OC but also as his quarterbacks coach. Cignetti played a big role in wooing fellow Yinzer Phil Jurkovec. Cignetti and Jurkovec have a good relationship, and Jurkovec credits his much of his growth as a signal caller to Cignetti's coaching.
With Jurkovec at the helm, Cignetti oversaw a revolutionary BC passing game in 2020. The Eagles had the third-best aerial attack in the ACC, and Jurkovec went over the 300-yard barrier four times. Before that season, the only Eagles quarterback to do that even once in the previous seven years was Anthony Brown Jr. against Wake Forest in 2018. BC, uncharacteristically however, struggled on the ground with Cignetti calling plays. The Eagles shifted to a wide-zone run/blocking scheme, and the Eagles finished 118th in rushing offense.
Boosted by the emergence of Pat Garwo III—the 19th Eagle all time to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season—in 2021, BC improved on the ground. It took a significant step back through the air, though. That was largely due to Jurkovec's season-threatening fracture to his throwing hand that he suffered Week 2 at UMass. It cost him six games and his full grip strength the rest of the year.
But Cignetti's play-calling wasn't fruitful, either. He remained committed to the deep ball, well after Dennis Grosel showed the inability to connect downfield this season. With Grosel still under center, he eventually pivoted to a quick passing game only to turn back to a one-dimensional rushing attack later in games with little run/pass variance on first down—like at Louisville when the Eagles had just six first-down pass attempts.
BC averaged 16.4 points per game in ACC play, the second fewest in the league (only Duke was worse). And the Eagles converted a mere 31.8% of third downs against conference opponents.
Before taking the BC OC job, Cignetti was in the NFL for seven years, mostly as a quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to OC when he was with the then-St. Louis Rams but only held that position for 12 games.
There is no indication at this point whether Cignetti will be Narduzzi's ultimate choice, according to Panther-Lair.com, but he is reportedly in the mix.
Mark Whipple was Pitt's most recent OC. He served that role for three years, mentoring 2021 Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett and guiding a Panthers offense that ranked third nationally in scoring and sixth in passing this season. Whipple stepped down from his post at Pitt following the team's ACC championship and then took the offensive coordinator gig at Nebraska.
Pitt will return Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, who was fourth in the FBS in receiving yards (1,593) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (17) this season. Narduzzi also reeled in former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Kedon Slovis from the transfer portal. The USC quarterback has two years of eligibility and will look to restore his first-round prospects with the Panthers.
BC's coaching staff has remained intact through head coach Jeff Hafley's first two years with the program. Hafley, a former Pitt staffer himself, brought on Cignetti not only as his OC but also as his quarterbacks coach. Cignetti played a big role in wooing fellow Yinzer Phil Jurkovec. Cignetti and Jurkovec have a good relationship, and Jurkovec credits his much of his growth as a signal caller to Cignetti's coaching.
With Jurkovec at the helm, Cignetti oversaw a revolutionary BC passing game in 2020. The Eagles had the third-best aerial attack in the ACC, and Jurkovec went over the 300-yard barrier four times. Before that season, the only Eagles quarterback to do that even once in the previous seven years was Anthony Brown Jr. against Wake Forest in 2018. BC, uncharacteristically however, struggled on the ground with Cignetti calling plays. The Eagles shifted to a wide-zone run/blocking scheme, and the Eagles finished 118th in rushing offense.
Boosted by the emergence of Pat Garwo III—the 19th Eagle all time to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season—in 2021, BC improved on the ground. It took a significant step back through the air, though. That was largely due to Jurkovec's season-threatening fracture to his throwing hand that he suffered Week 2 at UMass. It cost him six games and his full grip strength the rest of the year.
But Cignetti's play-calling wasn't fruitful, either. He remained committed to the deep ball, well after Dennis Grosel showed the inability to connect downfield this season. With Grosel still under center, he eventually pivoted to a quick passing game only to turn back to a one-dimensional rushing attack later in games with little run/pass variance on first down—like at Louisville when the Eagles had just six first-down pass attempts.
BC averaged 16.4 points per game in ACC play, the second fewest in the league (only Duke was worse). And the Eagles converted a mere 31.8% of third downs against conference opponents.
Before taking the BC OC job, Cignetti was in the NFL for seven years, mostly as a quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to OC when he was with the then-St. Louis Rams but only held that position for 12 games.
There is no indication at this point whether Cignetti will be Narduzzi's ultimate choice, according to Panther-Lair.com, but he is reportedly in the mix.
