Pat Narduzzi is Pitt's new choice as head coach. (Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports)
Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is set to take the Pittsburgh head coaching job after Christmas, SI.com reported Tuesday.
According to the report, a contract has yet to be completed, but an agreement is expected to be reached with an announcement to come after the holiday.
Narduzzi has made a name for himself the past few years at Michigan State under coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans (10-2) finished in the top 10 in the country in total defense each of the past four seasons, and Narduzzi was selected as the 2013 Frank Broyles award winner as the top assistant in the country.
Others in the running for the job were Marshall head coach Doc Holliday, Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell and Pittsburgh assistant Joe Rudolph, according to SI.com.
Narduzzi also interviewed for the Colorado State job this week, but reports indicated that he wanted to pursue Pitt.
Pitt is seeking a replacement for Paul Chryst, who left earlier this month to become Wisconsin’s head coach. After Chryst’s departure, Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson was ousted.
The new head coach at Pitt will be the school’s fifth since 2010. In three seasons, Chryst had a 19-19 record with the Panthers, who play Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl in Jan. 2.
Michigan State completes its season on Jan. 1 in the Cotton Bowl against Baylor.
