Don't tell the Pitt Panthers their challenges are different, more difficult and more complicated because they're preparing to play football in the middle of a pandemic, with many unsure of an NCAA football season.
To hear them tell it, they won't care. They're ready to work.
As Pitt formally opened training camp Friday morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Pat Narduzzi assessed it among the best he'd seen since he became head coach in 2015.
"In my six first practices at the University of Pittsburgh, I thought this was the smoothest," Narduzzi said afterward via Zoom. "Paris Ford got a pick, but there were no fumbles on the ground or mishandled snaps. I was really excited about practice today."
Part of that excitement, as Narduzzi acknowledged, is that no Pitt players took the field with a full complement, no players having opted out on the season because of COVID-19. Across the top level of the NCAA, 29 players have reportedly opted out.
"You understand what's going on," Narduzzi said of those who chose to opt out. "Our players are so excited to get out there and go. It all comes down to having fun in what you're doing. I'm blessed to have the team we have. Our guys don't want to opt out. They want to play together."
Part of that togetherness comes from 13 returning senior starters from 2019 and the impact that has on the program, including the coaches.
"It's a fun group to coach," defensive coordinator Randy Bates said. "Continuity breeds success, and the fun thing is the players know the things I'll say before I say it. Their experience is what I enjoy the most."
Reporters aren't yet permitted to cover training camp, so coaches and players relayed events and reactions remotely.
The theme Bates is preaching this year is a variation of the U.S. Marine Corps' slogan, "Adapt, improvise and overcome," to emphasize the importance of rolling with the unpredictability COVID-19 might bring.
"When there's something that happens like this, it's challenging," the team's lead edge rusher, Patrick Jones II, said. "During the summertime, we had to find a way to keep grinding and pushing. Like Coach Bates says everyday, 'we go by A.I.O., adapt, overcome, and improvise.' That's our business slogan."
Bates said the coaching staff is challenging the returning starters to reinforce those messages.
"These guys give us an ability to teach young guys through the older guys," Bates said. "When our younger guys get to watch the older guys work, their demeanor and their experience, they see these guys play at a really high level. I've challenged those leaders that the more they can teach, the better we will be."
"I'm all-in, onboard with all my brothers," senior safety Damar Hamlin said. "We all came back with the same understanding that we came back for each other, for this team and for this defense. We want to go out where we know we can, and that's on top."
Pitt was 8-5 overall in 2019, 4-4 in the ACC, third in the Coastal Division. There are no divisions this year because of the COVID-adjusted schedule.
Hamlin also cited a big advantage in the defense's familiarity and chemistry, a reliable factor that could galvanize the team through this year's challenges.
"Our chemistry is a big advantage," Hamlin said. "It's guys we've been working with even behind the scenes that didn't play much last year, but will play more this year. These are guys we've been working with for years, and now everything is coming to fruition. Just having that leadership and maturity from everyone, it's going to be fun to watch and be part of that."
Both starting cornerbacks, Jason Pinnock and Damarri Mathis, are also returning seniors, and they all get to work with Ford again, who passed on the 2020 NFL Draft to return.
Despite all the 2020 oddities, having to wear face shields on top of their masks, waiting until this past Thursday to finally see the ACC schedule and other adjustments, all indications at the opening of camp pointed to a team focused on the things it can control.
MORE FROM CAMP
• Senior backup wide receiver Dontavious Butler-Jenkins is out for the season with a knee injury, Narduzzi announced. He has one more year to graduate and will remain on scholarship.
• Sophomore backup wide receiver John Varzal has been put on scholarship. He was a 2019 walk-on who earned playing time as a punt returner.
• Narduzzi said he had not received an update from the NCAA on the eligibility status of quarterback Joey Yellin, who transferred from Arizona State in January. "I have confidence his waiver is going to go through," Narduzzi said. "I'm really not worried. If it was a 50-50 shot, I would be worried. But for his sake, I hope it goes through."
Pitt camp preview: Offense | Defense
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