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Now that Pat Narduzzi is officially Pitt's head football coach, now begins his quest to fill out his coaching staff. In the past few days, there has been a decent amount of talk of him hoping to lure away other Michigan State assistants. At least two, though, are unlikely to join him.
Linebackers/Special teams coach Mike Tressel and secondary coach Harlon Barnett have both been promoted to co-defensive coordinator in house by Michigan State.
Head coach Mark Dantonio made the announcement on Saturday:
"It's important to move the process forward, and I feel very comfortable in naming Harlon Barnett assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator and Mike Tressel co-defensive coordinator," Dantonio said. "Harlon and Mike have been on my staff together for 11 years, including the past eight years at Michigan State. They both have had a ton of input and shared a lot of ideas with Pat Narduzzi over the years. The co-appointment ensures continuity in terms of player relationships, defensive concepts and terminology.
In all honesty, it's a pretty shrewd move by Dantonio to keep both guys. A lot of people speculated that Narduzzi would be able to grab one of them, but by Dantonio promoting both to co-defensive coordinator, it gives them both added responsibilities and more money at the same time.
We don't know what kind of coaches they would have made, but Dantonio's statement indicates that they worked closely with Pat in leading what was a pretty successful defense.
Narduzzi still has plenty of opportunity to put together a quality staff, but it looks like two guys he was rumored to be targeting are off the board.
Matt House for defensive coordinator, anyone? No?
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