Pat Narduzzi - Defensive Coordinator at Michigan State

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Coaching Experience

Pat Narduzzi is in his first year as defensive coordinator at Michigan State. Narduzzi, who served as Mark Dantonio's defensive coordinator all three years at Cincinnati, developed a solid defensive unit during his tenure with the Bearcats.

Defense was the strong suit for UC in 2006, as Cincinnati ranked among the national leaders during the regular season in tackles for loss (No. 21 at 6.8 per game), pass efficiency defense (No. 23 at 109.3 rating), rushing defense (No. 27 at 107.5 ypg.), total defense (No. 31 at 304.3 ypg.), scoring defense (No. 34 at 19.3 ppg.) and sacks (No. 34 at 2.3 pg.). UC held seven of its 12 opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, highlighted by performances of 36 yards each in back-to-back games against Miami-Ohio and Akron. In UC's 30-11 win over then-No. 7 Rutgers on Nov. 18, the Bearcats held the nation's No. 20 rushing offense to a season-low 50 yards on the ground, and held the nation's No. 4 rusher, Ray Rice, to a season-low 54 yards. Middle linebacker Kevin McCullough led the team in tackles and ranked fifth in the BIG EAST with 13.5 tackles for loss. Defensive end Trevor Anderson ranked sixth in the BIG EAST in both tackles for loss (13.0) and sacks (6.0).

In his first season as defensive coordinator at UC in 2004, Narduzzi constructed the defense which led the Bearcats to a runner-up finish in Conference USA and a victory in the Fort Worth Bowl. The secondary ranked 26th in the nation and first in C-USA in pass defense. The Bearcats also ranked second in C-USA and 38th nationally in total defense, and third in the conference in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. Three Bearcat defenders from that team: Trent Cole, Tyjuan Hagler and Daven Holly, were taken in the NFL Draft, while six others earned all-league recognition. UC's 2005 defense had as many as eight first-year freshman starters, and Narduzzi helped groom two of them, Mike Mickens and Corey Smith, to second-team All-BIG EAST and Freshman All- America honors.

Prior to his arrival in Cincinnati, Narduzzi was the architect of the Miami-Ohio defense in 2003 which helped the RedHawks to a No. 10 finish in the national polls, a Mid-American Conference championship and a win over Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. Miami-Ohio ranked first in the MAC in rushing defense (19th nationally), scoring defense (22nd nationally) and pass efficiency defense (34th nationally). The RedHawks also ranked second in the MAC and 35th nationally in total defense.

Narduzzi previously helped Northern Illinois to a pair of MAC divisional titles during his three seasons in DeKalb (2000-02) as linebackers coach. In 2002, the Huskies had the league's stingiest defense against the run and were ranked 38th nationally. Narduzzi coached with offensive line coach Dan Roushar for three seasons while he was at NIU.

Narduzzi, who has compiled 17 seasons of coaching experience, began his career at Miami-Ohio in 1990, serving two seasons as a graduate assistant and one as a receivers coach in 1992.

In 1993, he started a seven-year tenure at Rhode Island, and served as defensive coordinator from 1998-99. Narduzzi and Roushar also crossed paths at Rhode Island for one season (1993), when Narduzzi was coaching linebackers and Roushar was coaching the offensive line.

A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Narduzzi earned allstate football honors at Ursuline High School. He played for his father Bill Narduzzi at Youngstown State as a freshman in 1985 and led the Ohio Valley Conference in tackles. Narduzzi then transferred to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter linebacker for the Rams from 1987-89.

Narduzzi completed his bachelor's degree in physical education at Rhode Island in 1990 and later earned a master's degree in sports psychology at Miami- Ohio in 1992.