Pat Narduzzi enters his 12th season after an 8-5 campaign, with offensive coordinator Kade Bell in his third season and Mason Heintschel returning as the starting quarterback. Update (Oct. 3): QB Mason Heintschel suffered a torn ACL against Virginia Tech and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Holden Geriner takes over as starter. Ja’Kyrian Turner returns after leading Pitt with 62 rushing yards per game last season. The Panthers must replace leading receivers Raphael Williams and Kenny Johnson, opening new roles in the receiving corps. Blue Hicks returns with 37 career receptions, while Western Carolina transfer Malik Knight adds another option. The offensive line brings back full-time starters BJ Williams and Ryan Baer, each with 13 starts last season, while Kendall Stanley and Ryan Carretta each made seven. Keith Gouveia also returns after starting all four games in 2025.

On defense, Cory Sanders was promoted from secondary coach to defensive coordinator, and Pitt returns five of its top eleven tacklers from last season. Up front, Jimmy Scott returns after 12 starts, along with Isaiah Neal and Sean FitzSimmons, each with nine starts. At linebacker, Braylan Lovelace returns after 13 starts. In the secondary, Cruce Brookins returns after eight starts and Shadarian Harrison after five starts, while Cameron Lindsey and Shawn Lee Jr. also return.

Mike Priefer takes over as special teams coordinator, with Western Illinois transfer Antonio Chadha at placekicker and Gabe Russo at punter. Pitt entered 2026 with continuity at running back and much of the offensive line but significant turnover at receiver. The Panthers return five of last season’s top eleven tacklers while including several new contributors to the secondary and special teams.