The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Pittsburgh: a football coaching history

National Program I#33 of 138–
See Pittsburgh’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Foge Fazio
0 Dynasty · 3 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Johnny Majors
Regional Program III → Power Program II (+22.0)
The fall
Dave Hart
National Program I → Regional Program II (−19.7)
Right now
Pat Narduzzi
the 8th-best of Pittsburgh's 17 coaches so far

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)MichelosenMajorsSherrillHarrisWannstedtNarduzzi19401960198020002020

Every coach

2015–now
Pat Narduzzicaretaker
Pat Narduzzi moved Pittsburgh from National Program I to Power Program III in 12 seasons.
Power Program III
80–61
2012–2014
Paul Chrystcaretaker
Paul Chryst held Pittsburgh at National Program I for 3 seasons.
National Program I
19–19
2011–2011
Todd Grahamshort tenure
6–6
2010–2010
Phil Bennettshort tenure
1–0
2005–2010
Dave Wannstedtcaretaker
Dave Wannstedt moved Pittsburgh from National Program II to Power Program III in 6 seasons.
Power Program III
42–31
1997–2004
Walt Harriscaretaker
Walt Harris moved Pittsburgh from Regional Program I to National Program II in 8 seasons.
+9.3
52–44
1992–1992
Sal Sunserishort tenure
0–1
1990–1992
Paul Hackettcaretaker
Paul Hackett held Pittsburgh at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
−13.6
12–20
1986–1989
Mike Gottfriedinheritor
Mike Gottfried inherited a Power Program I Pittsburgh and won with it.
Power Program I
26–17
1982–1985
Foge Fazioinheritor
Foge Fazio inherited a Blue Blood Pittsburgh and won with it.
−9.1
25–18
1977–1981
Jackie Sherrillbuilder
Jackie Sherrill raised Pittsburgh from Power Program II to Blue Blood.
+14.4
50–9
1973–1996
Johnny Majorsbuilder
Johnny Majors raised Pittsburgh from Regional Program III to Power Program II.
+22.0
45–45
1969–1972
Carl DePasquacaretaker
Carl DePasqua held Pittsburgh at Regional Program II for 4 seasons.
Regional Program II
13–29
1966–1968
Dave Hartdecliner
Pittsburgh fell from National Program I to Regional Program II under Dave Hart.
−19.7
3–27
1955–1965
John Michelosenbuilder
John Michelosen raised Pittsburgh from National Program III to Power Program III.
+14.8
56–49
1952–1954
Red Dawsoncaretaker
Red Dawson moved Pittsburgh from Regional Program I to National Program III in 3 seasons.
National Program III
9–11
1951–1954
Thomas Hamiltonshort tenure
7–9
1950–1950
Len Casanovashort tenure
1–8
1947–1949
Walter Milligancaretaker
Walter Milligan slid Pittsburgh from National Program II to National Program III in 3 seasons.
National Program III
13–14
1946–1946
Wesley Feslershort tenure
3–5
1943–1945
Clark Shaughnessydecliner
Pittsburgh fell from Power Program II to National Program II under Clark Shaughnessy.
−17.0
10–17
1939–1942
Charles Bowserinheritor
Charles Bowser inherited a Blue Blood Pittsburgh and won with it.
−16.7
14–20
1936–1938
Jock Sutherlandcaretaker
Jock Sutherland held Pittsburgh at Blue Blood for 3 seasons.
Blue Blood
25–3