Ex-FAU coach Partridge joins Pitt as assistant
After only a few months away, C h a r l i e P a r t r i d ge is back in college football coaching.
The former Florida Atlantic coach has joined Pat Narduzzi’s staff at the University of Pittsburgh. Partridge will serve as defensive line coach, one of several assistant positions he filled during his first stint at the school from 2003-07.
“I’m fully aware that the University of Pittsburgh is the final details.
“I wouldn’t say today that we’re not having a spring game. We need to finalize exactly what we’re doing.”
A major goal, James said, is to “capitalize on the excitement and energy that Mark (Richt) and his staff and the team have created around their finish last season, and then the excitement that you all create around signing day. We’re thrilled with it.”
Bus still parked: Asked if running back Gus “The Bus” Edwards, who last month announced through UM his a special institution in an amazing city with a top-notch football program that competes at the highest level in the ACC,” Partridge said in a statement. “I look forward to applying all the lessons I’ve learned since previously being here while also learning from this tremendous staff.”
P a r t r i d g e s p e n t t h r e e seasons at FAU, posting 3-9 records in each. Before that, he was an assistant head coach under Bret Bielema at Wisconsin and Arkansas.
During hi s first tenure plans to transfer, was still doing so, James said Edwards hasn’t requested a release.
Edwards, a reserve entering his redshirt senior season, posted on social media before the Russell Athletic Bowl that it would be his last game as a Hurricane, and UM announced his “plans to transfer” on Jan. 18. James clarified the following week that if Edwards was to transfer, he would not be given a waiver to go to Pittsburgh or Syracuse, two schools close to his home but on the Hurricanes’ 2017 schedule.
However, he didn’t at that time request a release, and James said Tuesday that, “to the best of my knowledge, he a t P i t t s b u r g h , P a r t r i d ge worked with Scott McKillop, the nation’s leader in tackles in 2007 and a 2009 fifth-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers. At Wisconsin, Partridge’s line included J. J. Watt, a threetime NFL Defensive Player of the Year. At Arkansas, Partridge coached Trey Flowers, who helped the New England Patriots with 2.5 sacks in their Super Bowl victory. At FAU, Partridge helped Trey Hendrickson become the program’s alltime sack leader. has not formally requested anything to date.”
Edwards is not listed on Miami’s online roster.
Indoor facility update: Miami has raised $31 million for its indoor football practice facility, James said, and plans continue to be refined. “I’m very pleased with the progress,” he said.
He would be happier if donations reached $34 million — the amount that will put shovels in the ground.
“We’re getting toward the end of having that building c o mpl e t e l y f u n d e d , ” h e said. “I’m confident we’ll get there. We’re still needing some gifts, need everyone that bleeds orange and
Partridge, a Plant ation native, has been prai sed for his recruiting skills and South Florida ties. Two of his three FAU recruiting classes were graded among Conference USA’s top three.
“Charlie’s familiarity with Pitt is a major asset and the fact that he has experience as a head coach will benefit our entire staff,” Narduzzi said.
“His reputation as a strong recruiter is highly deserved and will ser ve us well all across the ACC footprint, including Pittsburgh.” green and white to step up and make it a reality.”
An exclusive club: Asked if he expected ex-Hurricanes pl aye r s t o b e a l l owed t o watch games from the sidelines this fall — a practice prohibited during Miami’s threeyear NCAA probation that ended last October — James said he would defer to what Richt wanted to do and “what worked and didn’t work for his program” during his tenure at Georgia. In Miami’s pre-probation days, James said, the amount of players on the sideline became unwieldy. He would likely seek to limit the number.
Football changes: James said NCAA members are dis- cussing a “holistic package” for football improvements that could include a 10th assistant coach — the current limit is nine — along with an early signing period and modifications to the offseason camp system. However, it may be an issue of football getting too much attention, at the expense of other sports.
“We all recognize there’s changes that need to happen in football,” James said. “One of the changes is an additional coach at some point. What’s being discussed is when is the right time. ... There’s a lot of concern nationally with the continued expansion of football-related staff.”
In April, James begins a two-year term as chair of the NCAA’s Division I council. Asked which improvements he wants to push in his new leadership position, he said he would keep them private for now. However, James will meet with the NCAA to discuss his vision next week.
Baseball bonus: Asked what additions are coming for the baseball team — which opens its season at 7 p.m. Friday against Rutgers — James said an indoor hitting facility is in the works.
“It will be a reality for our program in the near future,” he said.