Chris Gates | The Pittsburgh Football Podcast
Pitt football has found itself in an all-too-familiar position.
After starting the 2026 season with five consecutive wins, the Panthers have lost two straight games to North Carolina and Boston College, falling to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play. And with a difficult five-game stretch remaining, it’s becoming increasingly hard to identify where Pitt’s next win will come from.
For a program that appeared to be building toward a potential ACC championship appearance just two weeks ago, it’s a stunning reversal of fortune.
It’s also a situation Pitt fans have experienced far too often in recent years.
Under Pat Narduzzi, the Panthers have developed an unfortunate tendency to start seasons with promise, only to watch that optimism disappear during October and November.
The question now is whether Narduzzi can prevent another late-season collapse, and what it might mean for his future if he can’t.
Pitt’s Recent History Is Difficult to Ignore
Take a look at Pitt’s record from mid-October through the end of each of the past three seasons:
- 2023: 1-5
- 2024: 1-6
- 2025: 4-3
- 2026: 0-2 (so far)
That’s a combined 6-17 record during those stretches, with five games still remaining in the 2026 regular season.
It’s an alarming trend, particularly for a program that has demonstrated an ability to compete at a high level during the first half of multiple seasons.
In 2024, Pitt started 7-0 before losing six consecutive games to close the year. In 2025, the Panthers were 7-2 and positioned to compete for an ACC championship before suffering disappointing losses to Notre Dame and Miami, followed by a bowl loss to East Carolina.
Now, in 2026, Pitt has gone from 5-0 and nationally ranked to wondering whether it can even reach six wins and qualify for a bowl game.
It’s understandable why fans are frustrated.
At some point, when the same problems continue appearing year after year, questions about the direction of the program and the responsibility of the coaching staff become unavoidable.
But there’s also an important distinction to make.
Context Matters When Evaluating Pitt’s Collapses
While the results are undeniably disappointing, I don’t think it’s fair to evaluate these seasons without acknowledging the circumstances surrounding them.
In 2023, Pitt struggled to find competent quarterback play throughout the season. Phil Jurkovec, Christian Veilleux and Nate Yarnell all saw time at quarterback, and the offense never developed the consistency necessary to compete.
In 2024, Eli Holstein helped lead Pitt to a 7-0 start before injuries derailed his season. Without its starting quarterback, Pitt’s offense struggled, and the losses piled up.
Last season, Pitt relied heavily on a true freshman quarterback in Mason Heintschel, who helped turn the offense around. But as the schedule became more difficult, the Panthers’ youth and inexperience were exposed against more talented opponents.
And now, in 2026, Pitt is dealing with another devastating injury at the most important position on the field.
Heintschel was one of the most productive quarterbacks in the ACC before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He had thrown 14 touchdown passes against just one interception and was giving Pitt the type of quarterback play necessary to compete with almost anyone on its schedule.
Without him, the Panthers have struggled to generate offense.
Holden Geriner couldn’t get the job done against North Carolina. Corey Dailey received his opportunity against Boston College, and despite opening the game with a 75-yard touchdown pass, the true freshman struggled to consistently move the football.
Would Pitt have beaten North Carolina and Boston College with a healthy Heintschel?
There’s no way to know for certain, but it’s hard to answer that question with anything other than a resounding… YES.
Instead of entering this weekend’s matchup against Miami at 7-0, Pitt is 5-2 and searching for answers.
That’s a dramatic change in expectations, and it’s difficult to place all of the blame on Narduzzi.
The reality of modern college football is that very few programs have a backup quarterback capable of replacing a productive starter without experiencing a significant drop-off.
With the transfer portal and NIL opportunities encouraging talented quarterbacks to seek starting jobs elsewhere, maintaining quality depth at the position has become increasingly difficult.
And you’ll see that reflected around the country right now at other programs:
- At Oregon, the Ducks are 1-1 since losing Dante Moore and have moved to their third string QB looking for answers.
- Cal is just 1-2 since losing Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, including a loss to UNLV of the Mountain West Conference.
- After losing Kamario Taylor to injury, Mississippi State was shut out against LSU and has an uncertain future ahead.
- Even UCLA, which has won two games without Nico Iamaleava, is scoring just 17 points per game.
Pitt isn’t unique when it comes to struggling after losing its starting quarterback.
Losing Heintschel was a devastating setback that would have challenged almost any coaching staff in the country. It has forced every other aspect of this team to have to play perfect in order to win games.
But that doesn’t mean Narduzzi and his staff should escape criticism for everything that has happened since.
Injuries Don’t Excuse Pitt’s Lack of Discipline
While Pitt’s offensive struggles are understandable given the quarterback situation, other problems have been entirely self-inflicted.
The most glaring example came Saturday against Boston College.
Pitt committed 13 penalties for 133 yards, including nine penalties on defense.
That’s an extraordinary amount of free yardage to give an opponent, especially when you’re playing with a true freshman quarterback and desperately need to avoid mistakes.
And it wasn’t an isolated incident.
Earlier this season, Pitt committed 165 penalty yards against Bucknell. The Panthers were able to overcome those mistakes because of the talent disparity between the two teams.
Against Boston College, they weren’t so fortunate.
This has been a recurring issue throughout Narduzzi’s tenure. Pitt has consistently struggled with penalties, and there have been far too many occasions when undisciplined play has contributed to disappointing losses.
At some point, that falls on coaching.
It’s one thing to lose games because your starting quarterback suffered a season-ending injury. It’s another to lose because your team repeatedly commits penalties, makes mental mistakes and fails to execute fundamental assignments.
Those are things a coaching staff should be able to address.
The defensive performance against Boston College raised similar concerns.
Pitt entered the game dealing with injuries in its secondary, and inexperienced players were forced into significant roles.
Boston College quarterback Mason McKenzie took advantage, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns. It was a career-high performance from a player who was previously playing Division II football at Saginaw State University.
Rather than consistently adjusting its defensive approach to help those inexperienced players, Pitt continued putting defensive backs in difficult situations.
I’ve generally been a defender of Narduzzi’s aggressive defensive philosophy. When executed properly, it can be incredibly effective.
But when injuries force players into roles they’re not prepared to handle, the coaching staff has to adapt.
You cannot continue asking players to execute assignments they’re struggling with and simply hope the results improve.
That’s a coaching responsibility.
And with Pitt’s offense struggling to score points, the defense needs to become more reliable than ever.
Firing Pat Narduzzi Isn’t the Answer Right Now
Following the loss to Boston College, plenty of Pitt fans have called for Narduzzi to be fired.
I understand the frustration, but I don’t believe that’s the right move.
For one, Narduzzi has demonstrated that he can build successful football teams at Pitt.
The Panthers won the ACC championship in 2021. They followed that season by finishing 2022 with five consecutive victories, including a Sun Bowl win over UCLA.
Even in more recent seasons that ended disappointingly, Pitt has shown an ability to develop talented players, compete against quality opponents and put itself in position to contend for conference championships.
Those accomplishments shouldn’t be forgotten simply because the past two weeks have been frustrating.
There’s also the reality of how Pitt’s administration views its head coach.
At the program’s kickoff luncheon in August, I listened to Chancellor Joan Gabel and athletic director Allen Greene speak about Narduzzi.
Their support went well beyond the typical comments administrators make about their football coach.
It was clear they value Narduzzi’s leadership, his approach to player development and the culture he has established within the program.
Based on those comments, I find it extremely difficult to envision Pitt making a coaching change after this season, even if the Panthers continue struggling.
But that doesn’t mean Narduzzi should have unlimited job security.
In fact, I think the next five games could play a significant role in determining how much pressure he faces heading into 2027.
The Rest of 2026 Could Shape Narduzzi’s Future
Pitt’s remaining schedule is daunting.
The Panthers travel to Miami this weekend before hosting Georgia Tech and Florida State, then finishing the season with road games against Louisville and Cal.
Just a few weeks ago, there was reason to believe Pitt could compete in most, if not all, of those games.
Now, with uncertainty at quarterback and significant defensive concerns, every matchup looks considerably more difficult.
But here’s the thing: Pitt doesn’t necessarily need to win all of those games to demonstrate progress.
What the Panthers need to show is that they’re capable of responding to adversity.
- Can Narduzzi and his staff find an offensive approach that gives either Geriner or Dailey an opportunity to succeed?
- Can they eliminate the penalties that have repeatedly put the team in difficult situations?
- Can they make defensive adjustments that account for injuries and inexperience in the secondary?
- And perhaps most importantly, can they keep this team motivated and competitive if the losses continue?
Those are the questions that should define the remainder of Pitt’s season.
If the Panthers continue playing undisciplined football, struggling with basic assignments and showing little improvement from week to week, the criticism of Narduzzi will only intensify.
And I think it should.
There is a difference between losing games because you’re undermanned and losing games because you’re unprepared.
The coaching staff may not be able to replace Heintschel’s production, but it can control how the rest of the team performs.
That’s where the evaluation needs to begin.
Could 2027 Become a Make-or-Break Season?
Looking beyond this season, there’s reason to believe Pitt could enter 2027 with significant expectations.
Assuming Heintschel makes a full recovery and returns to lead the offense, the Panthers should once again have an opportunity to compete at a high level.
And with the College Football Playoff expected to expand to 24 teams, the expectations for programs like Pitt could change dramatically.
A program that has regularly found itself nationally ranked during Narduzzi’s tenure should have a realistic opportunity to compete for a spot in an expanded playoff.
That doesn’t mean Pitt should be expected to make the playoff every single season.
But it does mean that simply reaching bowl eligibility shouldn’t necessarily be considered the standard for success.
If Pitt finishes 2026 with another extended losing streak, Narduzzi could enter next season facing considerably more pressure to produce meaningful results.
A healthy Heintschel, an experienced roster and an expanded postseason would create an opportunity for the program to take a significant step forward.
Failing to capitalize on that opportunity would raise legitimate questions about whether Narduzzi is still the right person to lead Pitt into the future.
But we’re not there yet.
Pitt Still Has Something to Play For
It’s easy to look at Pitt’s remaining schedule and assume the season is already over.
After watching the Panthers lose consecutive games to North Carolina and Boston College, I understand that mindset.
But there are still five games remaining, and plenty of opportunities for the coaching staff to demonstrate that it can get this team moving in the right direction.
The expectations have changed. An ACC championship appearance no longer feels realistic, and even bowl eligibility is far from guaranteed.
But that doesn’t mean the rest of the season is meaningless.
For Narduzzi, these next five games represent an opportunity to show that his program can respond to adversity rather than collapse under it.
Pitt doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to win every game.
But it does need to play disciplined football, make adjustments when necessary and demonstrate that the coaching staff has answers to the problems that are within its control.
If the Panthers can do those things, there will be reason for optimism heading into 2027.
If they can’t, the conversation surrounding Pat Narduzzi’s future is going to become much more uncomfortable.
And this time, it won’t be just because Pitt lost its starting quarterback.
Leave a Reply