Narduzzi does the right thing
went on to win the national championship. I get all that. But I’m thinking Narduzzi is the right man to take it all on. I like the stability he has brought to a program that was a national joke because of its coaching turnover. I love his enthusiasm. I hope he stays here a long time.
That’s even easier for me to say today. I like the tough discipline Narduzzi handed down Friday to four key players even if it lessens Pitt’s chances of winning early season games against Penn State and Oklahoma State. I love his explanation Tuesday.
“First thing, this will be a disciplined program,” Narduzzi said after Pitt’s first training-camp practice. “We’re gonna be disciplined, and as soon as you lose your discipline, you lose your credibility as a football coach and as a program. We’re gonna have discipline.” Refreshing, isn’t it? It’sone thing to suspend offensivelineman Alex Bookserfor the first game against YoungstownState. Pitt doesn’tneed Bookser, who facedDUI and reckless drivingcharges in May, to beat YoungstownState. There is noexcuse for Pitt to lose to YoungstownState at home, althoughformer Pitt coach PaulChryst might disagree afterlosing to Youngstown Stateat home in his first gamein 2012. It was one of the worst losses in Pitt history.
It’s another thing to throw defensive end Rori Blair off the team, the second potential starting defensive lineman kicked off by Narduzzi, joining Jeremiah Taleni, who was booted in April. Blair was a repeat offender, suspended for Narduzzi’s first game in 2015 after a DUI charge when he was citing for driving at 117 mph in a 55-mph zone near the Fort Pitt Bridge. He also was benched for the Pinstripe Bowl loss last season to Northwestern. A player can push a coach — any coach — only so far.
But it’s something much different to suspend two defensive starters — safety Jordan Whitehead and linebacker Quintin Wirginis — for the first three games. Pitt plays at Penn State and at home against Oklahoma State after the Youngstown State game. Its defense hardly was a sure thing before the suspensions after being one of the worst defenses in Pitt history last season. Now it must play without four potential starters? Including Whitehead, its best defensive player, and Wirginis, its top returning sack man? That makes everyone stand up and notice.
I have no idea what Whitehead and Wirginis did. “A violation of team policy,” Narduzzi said. Maybe the two did something so heinous that they, too, should have been kicked off the team.
But I do know a lot of coaches wouldn’t risk two early season losses in the name of discipline. Instead, they would have handed down what they love to call “internal discipline.” In other words, nothing. I give Narduzzi a lot of credit. He is trying to build a successful program, not just a successful team. Discipline and credibility are essential building blocks.
“I think you have to be consistent with what you are doing,” Narduzzi said. Translation: If you let one player slide and get away with something, what’s going to stop the next player from bending or breaking the rules?
It’s unfortunate Narduzzi has to take such drastic disciplinary measures. It should be especially embarrassing to Whitehead and Wirginis. Their thoughtless, selfish actions put Narduzzi in a position where his punishment isn’t just hurting them, but also the team. I’m not sure how Whitehead and Wirginis are able to look their teammates in the eye. Imagine how bad it will be if Pitt losses to Penn State and/ or Oklahoma State.
I’m really starting to wonder about Whitehead, who seems to have more to lose by his bad decisions than just about any Pitt player. I assume he has a chance for an NFL career. This suspension will not help his cause, especially after he was held out of the Marshall game last season by Narduzzi, who was mysterious about that decision and didn’t call it a suspension.
“These are highly disappointing situations, but I’m hopeful that each of these young men will be better, stronger and wiser after taking accountability for their actions,” Narduzzi said. That’s called coaching. Good coaching.