Pitt Football Interview with Amanda Godsey
With the Pittsburgh Panthers kicking off their season against the Duquesne Dukes on August 30th at Acrisure Stadium, I had the opportunity to talk all things Pitt football with Amanda Godsey, who covers the team for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.
Shetler: In his first year as Pitt offensive coordinator last season, how would you assess Kade Bell’s offensive approach?
Godsey: I like what Kade Bell wants to do on offense. He wants to go up-tempo because it doesn’t allow defenses to substitute and it simplifies the offense for his players, in a way. He gives his QBs the freedom to tuck the ball and run if there’s nothing open. I thought the offense had some nice showings early in the season last year. For the offense to truly work the way it’s intended, the offensive line has to be better. It was tough last year because the offensive linemen on the roster were recruited for Frank Cignetti’s pro-style offense; Bell’s offense relies on athletic and fast guys who happen to be big playing offensive line. They’ve added some transfers that better fit that mold while guys like Ryan Baer and BJ Williams have lost some weight during the offseason to better fit the scheme as well.
I don’t think we’ve seen all of Bell’s offense yet and believe we’ll see more of it this fall.
Shetler: What does Eli Holstein need to do to be an even better quarterback in 2025?
Godsey: Trust his receivers and trust his ankle. Eli’s legs are what make him dynamic, so we’ll see how he recovers from off-season ankle surgery. He didn’t look entirely comfortable with it this spring even in his dropbacks, but by the time Pitt’s training camp begins, he’ll have had another 3 1/2 months since spring ball ended to recover.
He talked last year about maybe not trusting his receivers enough, particularly early in games early in the season. I expect him to get better this season after playing in Bell’s system for a year and just getting some college football game experience, which he didn’t have prior to last season.
Shetler: Which three players impressed you the most during Pitt spring ball?
Godsey: QB Mason Heintschel, LB Jeremiah Marcelin, CB Shadarian Harrison.
Heintschel seemed to take to the offense quickly. Marcelin is looking to compete with Braylan Lovelace for the starting middle linebacker job. Harrison took advantage of getting more reps due to transfers and injury.
Heard rave reviews from multiple members of the coaching staff about all three guys and what I saw of them impressed me.
Shetler: Who on the Panthers’ defense could you see taking a huge step forward, like Kyle Louis did a year ago?
Godsey: Cruce Brookins. He’ll be a starter at safety this year and he possesses pretty solid ball skills that should lead to interceptions. He’s already proven to be a good tackler, albeit in limited defensive snaps last season.
Shetler: What position of depth do you think is the biggest strength and the biggest weakness for Pitt entering this season?
Godsey: Linebacker is the best unit. Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles showed the type of playmakers they are last season. Braylan Lovelace and Jeremiah Marcelin should both see some playing time at mike linebacker. Cam Lindsey also had a really nice spring and should be Louis’ backup at star linebacker.
Biggest weakness is probably the offensive line. The O-line was a problem last year. The coaching staff attacked OL hard in the portal and snagged a couple of tackles and a guard who look like better fits for Kade Bell’s offense, but until we see them play an actual game, it’s tough to say anything other than offensive line is the weakest position.
Shetler: Which opponents on the 2025 Pitt schedule could potentially be the hardest?
Godsey: Notre Dame, Miami, and Louisville are the toughest games on paper right now. Pitt gets all three at home but that doesn’t make it a whole lot easier. Louisville’s offense will likely be tough again. Notre Dame and Miami are two of their final three games of the season. The Irish are absolutely loaded coming into this year and should have one of the top defenses in college football. Miami is also loaded across the board. A lot hinges on the QBs for both the Irish and Hurricanes, but both squads have a lot of talent in the trenches, giving them an advantage over Pitt.
Shetler: Based on the second half collapse last season, if the Panthers were to take another step back this year, do you feel Pat Narduzzi should be on the hot seat?
Godsey: I think it depends on what qualifies as “another step back”—and I still think firing Narduzzi after the 2025 season is not likely to happen. He’s under contract through 2030 and makes around $7 million a year. I don’t think Pitt will want to be on the hook for an eight-figure buyout and also have to pay another coach on top of it.