HOUSTON, Nov. 25, 2025 — University of Pittsburgh head football coach Pat Narduzzi has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week after the Panthers’ 42-28 road win at No. 16 Georgia Tech.
The Panthers have moved into both the AP and AFCA top-25 polls after the win, and are ranked No. 24 both.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
Pitt jumped out to a 28-0 lead, and despite a late Georgia Tech charge that saw the Yellow Jackets pull to within a score (35-28) with less than five minutes to play, the Panthers were able to put the game on ice with 2:41 to play with Pitt’s Ja’Kyrian Turner’s 56-yard touchdown run.
Turner’s run was part of a 201-yard rushing day, but was far from the only highlight-reel play for the Panthers this week – Brayan Lovelace turned in a 100-yard pick-six in the third quarter; Pitt’s fourth pick-six of the season and the 31st defensive touchdown under Narduzzi.
The win caps off a perfect 4-0 mark on the road in conference play, and is the second road win against a ranked opponent – their most under Narduzzi.
Narduzzi’s selection follows last week’s selection of Oklahoma’s Brent Venables and previous selections of Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire, NC State’s Dave Doeren, Houston’s Willie Fritz, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, UCLA’s Tim Skipper, Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Syracuse’s Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
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