Players, Fans And Alumni Support Narduzzi

As more and more Bearcat fans give their opinions on who should be the next Bearcat head football coach, it’s becoming apparent the best choice is Pat Narduzzi.

 

People can ridicule internet sites like ours all they want, but those that frequent these sites are some of the more passionate supporters in a school’s fan base. Since the untimely and upsetting departure of Coach Dantonio to Michigan State, websites like Bearcat Insider have seen a huge increase in traffic because the rabid fans want some kind of outlet to voice their opinions.

From Sunday to Wednesday, Bearcat Insider has had over 70,000 hits and over 800 football posts. Of those 800 football posts, nearly 500 have dealt with the idea of who should be named the new Bearcat football coach. Pat Narduzzi currently is the overwhelming favorite with almost a 3 to 1 advantage over the field. I don’t know if Bearcat Insider has its finger on the pulse of the UC football program and its fans, but hiring Pat Narduzzi certainly seems to be the most popular thing to do. And for a program looking to grow its fan base and sell more season tickets, it might also be the smartest move to make.

Bearcat football fans aren’t the only ones keenly interested in this hire. The UC football players have a big stake in this process, and one of their returning emotional leaders, Haruki Nakamura, made it clear who the players support. “If Coach Narduzzi were to become our head coach, it would make us feel more comfortable. The person on the throne would know us and what kind of people we are. We’re becoming a powerhouse in the Big East, and we need that continuity.”

Seven Cincinnati assistant coaches resigned on Tuesday, but Haruki believes that would change quickly if Pat Narduzzi could offer them positions to remain on his staff at Cincinnati. “Absolutely, Coach Narduzzi has a lot of coaching ties. He’s got ties with Coach Daoust at Western Michigan right now. From the old coaching staff, he’s been at different places with Coach Roushar. I think a couple of the coaches would really feel more comfortable coming back to Cincinnati.” Tim Daoust was a graduate assistant at UC before taking a job as Western Michigan’s defensive line coach last year, and Dan Roushar coached with Narduzzi at Rhode Island and Northern Illinois. Tim Hinton, an excellent recruiter and position coach, has remained in Cincinnati awaiting the naming of the new head football coach and is also a possibility to return to the Bearcat staff.

If fans know anything about Bearcat football players, they know it’s a quality bunch with great leadership. Haruki explained that the team has tried to be proactive during this difficult time. “When we had a team meeting the other day, Director Thomas came in. What he did was explain his process of how he was going to find a head coach. We pretty much voiced our opinion and told him that the one person we could really play for was Coach Narduzzi. If Coach Narduzzi doesn’t come back, we’re going to lose a lot of things including recruits and players on the team. If Coach Narduzzi stays, it’s going to make a big difference. Director Thomas knows how the players feel. People have gone in and out of his office. I know of several alumni that have gone in and told him Coach Narduzzi would be a perfect fit for the job.”

With a strong nucleus returning next season, Haruki talked about the pitfalls of bringing in a new staff. “Talking with the guys that were part of the Minter era, it was difficult for many of those guys adjusting to Coach Dantonio’s style. It would be a lot easier if Coach Narduzzi were our head coach. It’s frustrating when you see a guy doing so well here, and he may not get the chance to finish the job. We believe we’re on our way to being one of the top schools in the country next season with him as our head coach. Cincinnati doesn’t need to be a stepping stone job.”

Jason Coppess was a captain on the 1993 Bearcat team that went 8-3 and then lost Coach Tim Murphy to Harvard. He knows how devastating it can be to lose your coach, and he and other Bearcat football alumni have discussed this issue. “I’ve spoken to four or five guys still living in central Ohio and all of them are hoping Coach Narduzzi is the guy. I’ve also talked to John Arena (two time captain in 1990 and 1991). John’s from that Youngstown area and he also thinks Narduzzi’s great. Nick Francos (captain in 1985) is a strong supporter of Narduzzi, and Nate Dingle (captain in 1993) who lives in Louisville thinks Pat’s great. We’ve seen the energy and enthusiasm he has for Bearcat football. It just makes sense to give him an opportunity to see this thing through.”

Jason also talked about the problems of bringing in a new staff. “They’re a junior and sophomore dominated team with their best football still ahead of them. If they bring in a new staff, it will take them maybe two years to really learn the system, and a great opportunity will have passed. Narduzzi already knows what needs to be done.”

Despite being a team captain in 1993, Coppess prefers to stay in the background on these types of issues, but he feels too strongly about Coach Narduzzi to just sit and say nothing. “I’m not the most vocal guy, but I feel strongly about this. Narduzzi’s been able to take what he has and make the most out of it. That’s what good coaches do, and that kind of coaching isn’t limited to just the defense. As a head coach, he’ll just expand on that ability to raise everyone‘s level of play.” Jason emphasized that he’s not a personal friend of Coach Narduzzi, but he does admire him. “He just has so much charisma that I’ve become a big fan despite having limited contact with him personally. This isn’t about friendship; it’s about what’s best for the Bearcat football program that I love.” Coppess has season tickets and makes the drive from Lancaster for every home game.

This ex-Bearcat also likes the fact that Coach Narduzzi wants to be the Cincinnati Bearcat coach. “He’s been here. He knows what this job entails, and he wants it. You have to reward a guy that wants to take on this challenge. Outsiders don’t really understand what they’re getting into.”

By speaking to Bearcat Insider, Coppess is hoping the current Cincinnati administration will hear his and other players’ voices. “I’m hoping the administration takes notice that those who bled the red and black have a voice along with the current players. We all want Coach Narduzzi to get this chance.”

Pat Narduzzi is the son of a college coach. He’s been preparing for this opportunity all his life, but Haruki Nakamura may have given the best reason for hiring Coach Narduzzi. “We feed off his energy. Players want to play for a guy like that. Everybody on our team really wants Coach Narduzzi to be our head coach. He’s not only a great coach, he’s a great person. He’s always been there for us.” Let’s hope the Cincinnati administration is there for Pat Narduzzi.