Is Pat Narduzzi building something special at Pittsburgh? The veteran head coach is making a move that could shake things up in the Atlantic Coast Conference. According to multiple sources, Narduzzi and the Pittsburgh Panthers are bringing in Mike Priefer. But who is Mike Priefer, and why should you care?
Priefer's most recent role was as the special teams coordinator for Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2025 season. Yes, that Bill Belichick, the legendary coach who has dominated the NFL. However, Belichick moved on from Priefer as North Carolina reassessed its disappointing 2025 campaign.
At Pittsburgh, Priefer will take on the role of Special Teams Coordinator, replacing Jacob Bronowski, who recently joined Alex Golesh's Auburn Tigers staff. This move signals Narduzzi's intent to bolster his team with experienced leadership.
Priefer brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent two decades in the NFL in various roles with several franchises. His resume includes a stint as the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns for four seasons. Before that, he took a break from football and then joined Belichick's North Carolina staff.
And this is the part most people miss... Priefer's NFL experience is extensive, including work with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings. Before his NFL career, Priefer coached college football for eight seasons, starting at his alma mater, the Naval Academy, and also coaching at Virginia Military Institute and Northern Illinois.
But here's where it gets controversial... The North Carolina Tar Heels, under Belichick, struggled in their first season, finishing with a 4-8 record in 2025. This raises the question: can Priefer help turn things around at Pittsburgh?
Pitt had a strong season under Narduzzi in 2025, going 7-2 in November and even being ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25. They were in contention for a spot in the ACC Championship game. However, a late-season stumble, including losses to Notre Dame and Miami, dashed their hopes. The Panthers ended their season with a loss to East Carolina in the Military Bowl.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Pittsburgh, under Narduzzi's leadership for his 12th year, will open at home against Miami (Ohio) on September 5th. They will also host Scott Frost's UCF Golden Knights and the Football Championship Subdivision Bucknell Bison before entering ACC play.
What do you think? Will Priefer's experience make a difference for Pittsburgh? Will Narduzzi be able to build on the success of the 2025 season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
