Pat Narduzzi to Pittsburgh: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

After years of being listed among the top head-coaching targets in college football, Pat Narduzzi has finally landed a program of his own. The Michigan State defensive coordinator was named Pittsburgh's head coach Wednesday, as expected, ending more than a decade of grooming under Mark Dantonio.

Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette showed the school's official release on Friday:

Pitt football provided a few quotes from Narduzzi from his introductory press conference:

ESPN's Joe Schad first announced that the contract was done.

Narduzzi, 48, takes over the Panthers program from Paul Chryst, who was named Gary Andersen's replacement at Wisconsin this month.

A 2013 recipient of the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach, Narduzzi joins a program that's struggled to find itself in recent seasons. Chryst landed the Wisconsin job despite posting a 19-19 record, and he's the second straight head coach to bolt for greener pastures. Todd Graham, Chryst's predecessor, left for Arizona State after a lone 6-6 season.

The Panthers have not had more than seven wins since 2009. This season, they were plagued by inconsistent quarterback play and a defense that ranked 73rd in FBS, per Football Outsiders' FEI-plus ratings. Pittsburgh managed to sneak into bowl eligibility with wins over Syracuse and Miami to close its season, and it plays Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl on Jan. 2.

While the program has increasingly been seen as a coaching stepping stone, Narduzzi might be the perfect man to bring the Panthers instant success. He has been one of the nation's best defensive coordinators for more than a decade, following Dantonio from Cincinnati to East Lansing.

At Michigan State, the Spartans were consistently among the nation's best defensive attacks. They've finished inside the top five of defensive FEI-plus three of the last four seasons, though they dropped to No. 24 in 2014. 

Al Goldis/Associated Press

"In regards to Pat, I think he's been up there and talked about quite a lot," Dantonio told reporters of his top lieutenant becoming a head coach, "and I've continually said it's going to happen at some point in time. When that point in time happens, it's going to be right for him, and he's going to be prepared."

The Panthers are hoping Narduzzi's defensive background can help solve their recent woes. Pittsburgh has not had a top-25 unit since 2009.

On offense, there is plenty of reason to be hopeful. Quarterback Chad Voytik, running back James Conner and top receiver Tyler Boyd are all due back for their junior seasons in 2015 and should lead one of the ACC's most promising units. Conner rushed for 1,675 yards and 24 touchdowns as a sophomore and has a bruising style not unlike former Michigan State star Le'Veon Bell.

Pittsburgh, on the surface, will likely take on a Michigan State-lite feeling, with Voytik doing his best Connor Cook impression. It's unclear at this time if Narduzzi will be allowed to bring anyone from the Spartans staff along with him to Pittsburgh, though it's likely at least a couple of guys will tag along for the ride.

If the result looks anything like the job Dantonio's done at Michigan State, Pitt could be on its way to a renaissance. If not, well, recent history says Narduzzi will probably trip, fall and find his way to another high-profile gig anyway.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.