Pittsburgh hires Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney
Arkansas offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney has accepted the same position at Pittsburgh according to sources.
Chaney, 53, has been the Razorbacks’ play-caller the last two seasons, where he implemented a run-heavy attack preferred by coach Bret Bielema. Arkansas is 42nd in the FBS this season in scoring offense (31.9 points per game) and 60th in total offense (406 yards per game).
Chaney brings his offensive expertise to new Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi’s staff. He was offensive coordinator at Tennessee from 2009-12 and won his lone game as the Volunteers’ interim coach after Derek Dooley was fired.
Before Chaney arrived at Tennessee, he coached tight ends for a season and the offensive line for two seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He was also offensive coordinator at Purdue from 1997 through 2005, where he coached star quarterback Drew Brees.
A Holden, Mo. native, Chaney played nose tackle at Central Missouri State. He joins the fiery Narduzzi, who comes to Pitt after eight seasons as Michigan State’s defensive coordinator.
Under Narduzzi, the Spartans were the only team to rank in the nation's top 10 in total defense and rushing defense annually from 2011-14. His defense at Michigan State ranked eighth in the FBS in total defense (315.8 yards per game) and third in takeaways (34) in 2014.
A Youngstown, Ohio native, Narduzzi coached 19 first-team All-Big Ten selections while with the Spartans. Last season, he received the Broyles Award, which is given to college football’s top assistant coach.
He replaces Paul Chryst, who had a 19-19 record in three seasons and left last month for Wisconsin.
