Quote from Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi confirms a decade-long issue for the Vols has been fixed

A quote this week from Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi confirms that a decade-long issue from the Tennessee Vols has finally been fixed. For the last 10 to 12 years, quarterback development on Rocky Top has been a major issue. The Vols have had a multitude of quarterbacks coaches since David Cutcliffe left Knoxville […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Vols

A quote this week from Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi confirms that a decade-long issue from the Tennessee Vols has finally been fixed.

For the last 10 to 12 years, quarterback development on Rocky Top has been a major issue.

The Vols have had a multitude of quarterbacks coaches since David Cutcliffe left Knoxville after the 2007 season.

And most of those quarterbacks coaches have struggled to find success at Tennessee.

  • Dave Clawson — 2008
  • David Reaves — 2009
  • Darin Hinshaw — 2010-2011
  • Jim Chaney — 2012
  • Mike Bajakian — 2013-2014
  • Mike DeBord — 2015-2016
  • Mike Canales — 2017
  • Tyson Helton — 2018
  • Chris Weinke — 2019-2020
  • Joey Halzle — 2021-present

That's 10 quarterbacks coaches in 15 years since Cutcliffe left for Duke. That's obviously not a recipe for success — even as quickly as quarterbacks coaches are moving up these days.

Fortunately for the Vols, they have quite the duo now in head coach Josh Heupel and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle. And that's something that Narduzzi, whose Pittsburgh team will host Tennessee on Saturday, pointed out this week.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Kns Utvbs0901
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Utvbs0901

Narduzzi specifically brought up Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker's development since leaving Virginia Tech.

"He's (Hooker) got a great arm," said Narduzzi earlier this week. "He's smart. Like I said, you look at where he is right now compared to where he was two years ago when he was at Virginia Tech, two totally different guys. That's obviously a tribute — that's no slam on what Virginia Tech did with him, but he fits into that offense, and his quarterback coach is coaching the heck out of him, and I think he's really, really sharp."

That's a massive compliment to Tennessee's coaching staff (and I don't think it was an insult to Virginia Tech).

I think there are two things that are key to having a championship-level football team — dominating in the trenches and having great quarterback development.

The Vols are still a work in progress in the trenches (though they're getting there). But when it comes to quarterbacks, I'm not sure there's a program in the nation that's doing a better job right now.

And that has to be extremely refreshing for Vols fans. It's been far too long since Tennessee's had elite quarterback developers on staff.

Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles