PITTSBURGH—Calling him “one of college football’s most dynamic and aggressive offensive minds,” Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi announced the hiring of Kade Bell as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Bell earned his Pitt appointment after directing one of the country’s most explosive offenses at Western Carolina the past three seasons.
In 2023, the Catamounts led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in total offense with an average of 504.1 yards per game. Additionally, WCU ranked third in passing offense (321.1 yards per game) and fourth in scoring (37.5 points per game).
Western Carolina paced the highly competitive Southern Conference in no fewer than eight offensive categories while setting school records for total yards (5,545) and passing touchdowns (33). Bell’s quarterback, Cole Gonzales, a finalist for the prestigious Walter Payton Award (most outstanding FCS offensive player), finished the regular season with an FCS-best 28 touchdown passes and a sterling 166.40 efficiency rating (third in FCS).
In 52 career games as an offensive coordinator, Bell’s teams have produced more than 500 yards 31 times (60%).
“Kade’s offensive approach—relentlessly fast and aggressive—is everything a defensive coordinator hates to face and the type of system our players will absolutely love,” Narduzzi said. “He’s an incredibly creative play caller who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in the country. Beyond ‘Xs and Os,’ Kade understands and greatly values relationship-building with his players and fellow coaches. On and off the field, Kade Bell will make us better.”
“I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity that Coach Narduzzi and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke have given me to become the offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh. Great players, traditions and championships are what this program is about. I can’t wait to get to work and be part of something special in the City of Pittsburgh. Hope our fans are ready to play fast and score faster. Hail to Pitt!”
Prior to Western Carolina, Bell was the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Tusculum University, where during the 2021 spring season his offense averaged 533.4 yards and 37.6 points…
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