The Pitt football program has lost its second assistant coach of the offseason.
Chris Beatty, who served as the receivers coach and a major recruiting asset, is taking a job with the Los Angeles Chargers as their receivers coach. Beatty made a significant impact for the Panthers' recruiting efforts in his two seasons with the program. His departure follows that of linebackers coach Rob Harley, who left Pitt to become the defensive coordinator at Arkansas State.
Pat Narduzzi thanked Beatty for his efforts Friday:
Thank you, Coach Beatty. pic.twitter.com/cNadOfO34T
— Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) January 29, 2021
During his time with Pitt, Beatty helped Maurice Ffrench break Larry Fitzgerald's single-season reception record with 98 catches in 2019. He also saw Jordan Addison become an ACC Freshman All-American wide receiver in 2020. Addison's 60 receptions ranked fourth in the ACC last season, and he looks to be the Panthers' leading receiver in 2021, flanked by Jared Wayne, along with the return of Taysir Mack and Tre Tipton to work with Kenny Pickett next season.
Although drops by wide receivers became a major problem in both 2019 and 2020, Beatty's best asset might have been as a recruiter, helping Pitt gain top commitments from Virginia. That includes players in Narduzzi's 2021 class like Naquan Brown, Malik Newton and Rodney Hammond.
