Putting Boca Raton in the rearview mirror, former FAU head coach Charlie Partridge is returning to one of his previous stops.
Tuesday afternoon, the University of Pittsburgh announced that Partridge, FAU’s head coach from 2014-16, would be joining the Panthers for a second stint as their defensive line coach.
Partridge previously coached with Pittsburgh from 2003-07, mainly focusing on the defensive line and linebackers. The final two years of Partridge’s first stint up north were spent as the team’s special teams coach.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to return to Pitt and work with Coach Narduzzi and his staff,” Partridge said in a statement released by the school. “I’m fully aware that the University of Pittsburgh is a special institution in an amazing city with a top-notch football program that competes at the highest level in the ACC. I look forward to applying all the lessons I’ve learned since previously being here while also learning from this tremendous staff.”
While many expected Partridge to return to an assistant coaching job after going 9-27 in three years with the Owls, Tuesday’s announcement appeared to come out of nowhere. But with previous defensive line coach Tom Sims being let go earlier this month, bringing Partridge back to the Steel City seemed like a natural fit.
Terms of the contract were not immediately made available by the university. The move, however, saves FAU’s athletic department money. Firing Partridge with two years remaining on his congract meant that the Owls still owed him about $1 million. By accepting a new job, a buyout kicks in which drops the amount owed to about $200,000.
“Charlie’s familiarity with Pitt is a major asset and the fact that he has experience as a head coach will benefit our entire staff,” Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said. “His reputation as a strong recruiter is highly deserved and will serve us well all across the ACC footprint, including Pittsburgh.”
Prior to becoming FAU’s fourth head coach in program history, Partridge also had stops at Wisconsin and Arkansas. Hired by the Owls in December of 2013, Partridge still had two years remaining on his original five-year contract when the Owls let him go after the season finale against Middle Tennessee.
Some of Partridge’s best moments in Boca Raton, however, came off the field as the program reached new highs in both recruiting and academics. Several former Owls who have become NFL mainstays, including NFC champion Sharrod Neasman, saw their play evolve under the Drake alum.
Pittsburgh, which went 8-5 and lost to Northwestern in the Pinstripe Bowl, will kick its season off September 2 against Youngstown State in what will be a battle of former FAU coaches. Carl Pelini, the second coach in Owls’ program history, is the Penguins defensive coordinator.
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