As personnel departments throughout college football take on even greater importance in the era of the NCAA Transfer Portal, Name, Image and Likeness, as well as the impending ruling on the House Settlement that could formally usher in revenue-sharing agreements, Pitt is beefing up its forces in that regard for veteran head coach Pat Narduzzi.
Sources tell FootballScoop that the Panthers are hiring Mark Diethorn to become Pitt's assistant athletics director for recruiting.
It's a strong addition for the Panthers, who are looking to rebound after a 6-0 start to the 2024 campaign ended with seven-straight losses including a bowl loss against Toledo.
Diethorn has multiple years running the personnel departments at Power Conference schools Michigan State of the Big Ten and Virginia Tech of the ACC.
Additionally, Diethorn has experience in the SEC from being on Urban Meyer's Florida Gators staff some 15 years ago, where he learned under college personnel legend Mark Pantoni.
Joining Narduzzi's Pitt organization also is something of a homecoming for Diethorn, who's back with the Panthers after previously serving in a director of recruiting role there during Paul Chryst's tenure at the helm and then also staying through the opening three years of Narduzzi's start.
Pitt, entering its 11th season under Narduzzi, opens the 2025 campaign Aug. 30 at home against Duquesne and hosts Central Michigan, under first-year coach Matt Drinkall a week later, before resuming the 'Backyard Brawl' against West Virginia on Sept. 13.