Anonymous
11-26-2006, 10:36 PM
Pat Narduzzi has made a habit out of coaching championship-caliber defenses.
Upon becoming Cincinnati's defensive coordinator in 2004, Narduzzi constructed the defense which led the Bearcats to a runner-up finish in Conference USA and a championship in the Fort Worth Bowl. UC was ranked No. 49 in total defense in 2004, 37th against the pass. Three Bearcat defenders from that team, Trent Cole, Tyjuan Hagler and Daven Holly, were taken in the NFL Draft, while six others earned all-league recognition. UC's 2005 defense had as many as five first-year freshmen starters, and Narduzzi helped groom two of them, Mike Mickens and Corey Smith, for second team All-BIG EAST and third team Freshman All-American honors.
Prior to coming to Cincinnati, Narduzzi was the architect of the Miami (Ohio) unit in 2003 which helped the RedHawks to a No. 10 finish in the national polls, a Mid-American Conference championship and a win over Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. Miami was ranked first in the MAC in four defensive categories and ranked No. 24 nationally in total defense.
Narduzzi previously helped Northern Illinois to a pair of MAC divisional titles during his three seasons there (2000-02) as linebackers coach. In 2002, the Huskies had the league's stingiest defense against the run and were ranked No. 39 nationally in scoring defense.
Narduzzi, who has compiled 16 seasons of coaching experience, launched his career at Miami in 1990, serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and tutoring the receivers in 1992.
In 1993, he began a seven-year tenure at Rhode Island. In his very first season as defensive coordinator, he turned around the Rams, who had finished last in the Atlantic 10 Conference in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense the preceeding year to No. 2 in all three categories.
A Youngstown, Ohio native, Narduzzi earned all-state football honors at Ursuline High. He played for his father, Bill Narduzzi, at Youngstown State, as a freshman and led the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles. He transferred to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter at linebacker. Narduzzi completed his bachelor's at Rhode Island in 1990 and his master's at Miami in 1992
Also, an interesting article from Trent Rosecrans from awhile back:
Narduzzi spices up already hot rivalry
By C. Trent Rosecrans
Post staff reporter
This, his players suggest, is as good a time as any for Pat Narduzzi to switch to decaf.
The University of Cincinnati defensive coordinator mirrors his defensive philosophy -- relentless, fast and in constant motion.
As excited as he usually is, this week may hold even more for the man Miami University coach Terry Hoeppner called "the Bull." Narduzzi served as Hoeppner's defensive coordinator last season, guiding the RedHawks defense which led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense. He left Miami after one season to take over as Mark Dantonio's defensive coordinator at UC.
"It's (special), but it's different than coach Dantonio's week last week (at Ohio State)," Narduzzi said. "For me, it wasn't considered a better move, from their end. They tried to talk me out of it."
Narduzzi said he still feels like there is some animosity toward him from the RedHawks and the staff. He said he regrets leaving Oxford as quickly as he did, without resolving some issues. Still, Dantonio asked him to come and Narduzzi accepted.
"Coach Dantonio asked me to jump and I jumped as fast as I could," Narduzzi said. "If I had to do it over again, I'd do it differently."
Hoeppner said the two talked in the spring and he is happy with the job Narduzzi did while he was in Oxford.
"I didn't want him to go, especially there," Hoeppner said. "He's a great coach and a great family guy."
Getting Hoeppner's goat wasn't Dantonio's intention. He was just looking for the best fit for his staff.
With Narduzzi, he got an accomplished defensive coach and someone who knew the area.
"I looked up the road and he expressed interest in the job," Dantonio said. "I was trying to hire the best coach I could find. It wasn't about taking something away from someone else."
It does, however, make this week a little more interesting, Hoeppner said.
Narduzzi is one of three coaches on the UC staff with a degree from Miami. He earned a master's degree at Miami in 1992 while serving as a graduate assistant. Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell is a 1982 graduate of Miami, and tight ends coach Mark Staten is a 2001 graduate. Treadwell, a first-team All-MAC receiver in 1980 and team captain in 1981, even has his picture hanging in the hallway at Yager Stadium for his performance as a player.
"It certainly adds some spice to the rivalry, and I think it can be fun," Hoeppner said. "You always want to beat your cousin or your brother. It's interesting when you coach against guys you've coached with."
Like Dantonio facing the Buckeyes a week ago, Narduzzi brings a deep knowledge of the RedHawks' personnel.
"He knows everything about each player," said UC linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. "He runs down their weakness and strengths. It makes me feel more confident. We know what they're good at."
Of course, Narduzzi feels the RedHawks have a much bigger advantage -- experience and continuity.
"They've been there, they know what they're doing," Narduzzi said. "They're not coaching a lot of new things this week. We're still trying to correct mistakes we made last weekend and during camp and get them fixed. That's a battle."
Still, Hagler said he knows Narduzzi will be working even harder -- if that's possible -- this week, preparing for his former team.
"I ask him how he has so much energy," said the 22-year old Hagler. "It's 5 or 6 in the morning, and he's running all over the place. I wish I had that energy."
In response, Narduzzi laughed at the notion and took a swig of his apple juice.
"I need decaf every day," he said.
Especially this week.
Upon becoming Cincinnati's defensive coordinator in 2004, Narduzzi constructed the defense which led the Bearcats to a runner-up finish in Conference USA and a championship in the Fort Worth Bowl. UC was ranked No. 49 in total defense in 2004, 37th against the pass. Three Bearcat defenders from that team, Trent Cole, Tyjuan Hagler and Daven Holly, were taken in the NFL Draft, while six others earned all-league recognition. UC's 2005 defense had as many as five first-year freshmen starters, and Narduzzi helped groom two of them, Mike Mickens and Corey Smith, for second team All-BIG EAST and third team Freshman All-American honors.
Prior to coming to Cincinnati, Narduzzi was the architect of the Miami (Ohio) unit in 2003 which helped the RedHawks to a No. 10 finish in the national polls, a Mid-American Conference championship and a win over Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. Miami was ranked first in the MAC in four defensive categories and ranked No. 24 nationally in total defense.
Narduzzi previously helped Northern Illinois to a pair of MAC divisional titles during his three seasons there (2000-02) as linebackers coach. In 2002, the Huskies had the league's stingiest defense against the run and were ranked No. 39 nationally in scoring defense.
Narduzzi, who has compiled 16 seasons of coaching experience, launched his career at Miami in 1990, serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and tutoring the receivers in 1992.
In 1993, he began a seven-year tenure at Rhode Island. In his very first season as defensive coordinator, he turned around the Rams, who had finished last in the Atlantic 10 Conference in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense the preceeding year to No. 2 in all three categories.
A Youngstown, Ohio native, Narduzzi earned all-state football honors at Ursuline High. He played for his father, Bill Narduzzi, at Youngstown State, as a freshman and led the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles. He transferred to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter at linebacker. Narduzzi completed his bachelor's at Rhode Island in 1990 and his master's at Miami in 1992
Also, an interesting article from Trent Rosecrans from awhile back:
Narduzzi spices up already hot rivalry
By C. Trent Rosecrans
Post staff reporter
This, his players suggest, is as good a time as any for Pat Narduzzi to switch to decaf.
The University of Cincinnati defensive coordinator mirrors his defensive philosophy -- relentless, fast and in constant motion.
As excited as he usually is, this week may hold even more for the man Miami University coach Terry Hoeppner called "the Bull." Narduzzi served as Hoeppner's defensive coordinator last season, guiding the RedHawks defense which led the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense. He left Miami after one season to take over as Mark Dantonio's defensive coordinator at UC.
"It's (special), but it's different than coach Dantonio's week last week (at Ohio State)," Narduzzi said. "For me, it wasn't considered a better move, from their end. They tried to talk me out of it."
Narduzzi said he still feels like there is some animosity toward him from the RedHawks and the staff. He said he regrets leaving Oxford as quickly as he did, without resolving some issues. Still, Dantonio asked him to come and Narduzzi accepted.
"Coach Dantonio asked me to jump and I jumped as fast as I could," Narduzzi said. "If I had to do it over again, I'd do it differently."
Hoeppner said the two talked in the spring and he is happy with the job Narduzzi did while he was in Oxford.
"I didn't want him to go, especially there," Hoeppner said. "He's a great coach and a great family guy."
Getting Hoeppner's goat wasn't Dantonio's intention. He was just looking for the best fit for his staff.
With Narduzzi, he got an accomplished defensive coach and someone who knew the area.
"I looked up the road and he expressed interest in the job," Dantonio said. "I was trying to hire the best coach I could find. It wasn't about taking something away from someone else."
It does, however, make this week a little more interesting, Hoeppner said.
Narduzzi is one of three coaches on the UC staff with a degree from Miami. He earned a master's degree at Miami in 1992 while serving as a graduate assistant. Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell is a 1982 graduate of Miami, and tight ends coach Mark Staten is a 2001 graduate. Treadwell, a first-team All-MAC receiver in 1980 and team captain in 1981, even has his picture hanging in the hallway at Yager Stadium for his performance as a player.
"It certainly adds some spice to the rivalry, and I think it can be fun," Hoeppner said. "You always want to beat your cousin or your brother. It's interesting when you coach against guys you've coached with."
Like Dantonio facing the Buckeyes a week ago, Narduzzi brings a deep knowledge of the RedHawks' personnel.
"He knows everything about each player," said UC linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. "He runs down their weakness and strengths. It makes me feel more confident. We know what they're good at."
Of course, Narduzzi feels the RedHawks have a much bigger advantage -- experience and continuity.
"They've been there, they know what they're doing," Narduzzi said. "They're not coaching a lot of new things this week. We're still trying to correct mistakes we made last weekend and during camp and get them fixed. That's a battle."
Still, Hagler said he knows Narduzzi will be working even harder -- if that's possible -- this week, preparing for his former team.
"I ask him how he has so much energy," said the 22-year old Hagler. "It's 5 or 6 in the morning, and he's running all over the place. I wish I had that energy."
In response, Narduzzi laughed at the notion and took a swig of his apple juice.
"I need decaf every day," he said.
Especially this week.