Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has been mentioned as a potential candidate for various head coaching opportunities over the last couple of years now after establishing one of the top defensive programs in the country in East Lansing. It now appears Narduzzi is flirting with the opportunity to take on the role of head coach more seriously than ever before.
Narduzzi has interviewed for the head coaching openings at Colorado State and Pittsburgh, according to a report by MLive.com. Narduzzi reportedly interviewed with Colorado State earlier in the week and with Pittsburgh on Friday. Both coaches lost head coaches to other power-conference programs this offseason. Colorado State’s Jim McElwain took a job offer at Florida and Pittsburgh most recently lost Paul Chryst to Wisconsin.
It seems as though Michigan State has already been preparing Narduzzi for the chance to be a head coach, as well as a plan to replace their defensive coordinator if and when the time comes. Narduzzi has been given extra responsibilities to prepare him for being a head coach, which has benefits for Michigan State as well, and MLive.com says Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio is supportive of his assistant and ready to
“When that point in time happens, we’ve had this happen enough for us that we’ll be prepared,” Dantonio said previously. “Up until that time it’s status quo. It’s a good situation.’'
Narduzzi checking out his options is nothing new. Just a year ago Narduzzi interviewed with UConn and he had been connected as a candidate to a few other jobs as well.