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PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers offensive coordinator Kade Bell has had a solid showing in his first season with the program and has put himself on the radar for positions elsewhere.
Pete Nakos of On3 reported from his sources that Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables reached out to Bell for their open offensive coordinator position for next season. Venables fired previous offensive coordinator, Seth Littrell, who posted the worst Oklahoma offense through seven games, statistically, since 1961.
Chris Peak of PantherLair.com reported that Bell did not interview for the position nor did anyone schedule any interviews for the future.
Regarding reports connecting Pitt OC Kade Bell with the Oklahoma OC job, I'm told Bell has not interviewed for the position, nor are any interviews scheduled.
— Chris Peak (@PantherLair) November 26, 2024
Pitt was the worst team in the ACC last season in a number of categories, including 20.2 points per game (20.2), 317.9 yards per game and 101.9 rushing yards per game. They also had the least time of possession, 27.37 minutes per game, least first downs at 16.3 per game, worst third down convesrion at 31.3% second most penalties per game at 64.4 yards and third worst with 119.8 offensive efficiency.
Bell came in and implemented his up-tempo, spread attack, which allows numerous opportunities for a variety of players. He also brought in players like star junior running back Desmond Reid and wide receivers in redshirt junior Raphael "Poppi" Williams Jr. and Censere "C.J." Lee, who all played for him at Western Carolina.
Pitt ranks fifth in the ACC in offense at both 32.6 points per game and 275.8 passing yards per game, eighth at 413.9 total yards per game and ninth with 138.1 rushing yards per game.
Bell also put the trust into Alabama transfer and redshirt freshman Eli Holstein at quarterback, which led to Pitt having a solid offense throughout this season.
He has completed 180-of-291 passes this season, 61.8%, for 2,228 yards and 17 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 10 games. He also ranks second on Pitt with 328 rushing yards on 81 carries, 4.0 yards per carry, and three touchdowns on the ground.
His 17 touchdown passes and four 300-yard passing games rank tied for the most by a Pitt freshman since Alex Van Pelt in 1989.
Holstein has earned ACC Rookie of the Week five times, Davey O'Brien Award Weekly honors twice and Walter Camp Award Weekly honors once.
He is also on two award watch lists, including the Davey O'Brien Award, which recognizes the best quarterback in college football, and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Reid has had a sensational 2024 season, rushing 151 times for 767 yards and four touchdowns, making 47 catches for 564 yards and four receiving touchdowns and making 12 punt returns for 148 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown return vs. Kent State.
He ranks fifth in the FBS and second in the ACC behind running back Omarion Hampton of UNC with 150.90 all-purpose yards per game.
He earned ACC Running Back of the Week Honors in the win over Cincinnati, as he finished with six catches for receiving 106 yards and a touchdown and had 19 carries for 148 yards, recording the first game a Pitt player had 100+ yards receiving and rushing.
Reid also earned ACC Wide Receiver of the Week honors in the 34-24 road win over North Carolina in Week 6 on Oct. 5, making 11 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Williams has had 31 catches for 363 yards and a team-high five touchdowns, while Lee 19 catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns, before suffering a season-ending injury in the loss to then ranked No. 20 Clemson at home in Week 12.
Bell will continue to receive attention for potential jobs, as turning this Pitt offense around not an easy task, whatsoever.
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Shocking Accusation: 2025 Notre Dame Opponent Allegedly Leaked Playbook Last Season
Nico Iamaleava clears the air on decision to transfer to UCLA
The consequences of NIL (name, image and likeness) deals will continue to define the college football season. They embolden student-athletes to utilize the transfer portal to their advantage and encourage programs to pursue top talent through financial incentives. On Thursday, new University of California, Los Angeles quarterback Nico Iamaleava took to the podium for the first time as a Bruin, marking a major shift in how NIL deals can quickly change team dynamics and narratives. Iamaleva, born and raised in Southern California, hadn't spoken publicly since he shockingly transferred from the University of Tennessee in April. At the time, reports suggested he left the school over an NIL dispute where Iamaleava wanted a deal around $4M. He didn't report for spring practice and was then removed from the program. Since then, insiders painted a more complicated picture, indicating that the QB's father complained to the coaching staff that the supporting cast around his son wasn't good enough. "My family was strictly the main importance for me," Iamaleava explained at a news conference. "I let my business team, my parents handle that side of NIL. Just me being closer to family was the most important thing." While Iamaleva spent his time with the press discussing his desire to stay close to his family and his on-field goals, this move can't be decoupled from the NIL aspect. Iamaleva is not set to make a huge payday with UCLA. Of course, if his 2025 season with the Bruins is successful, it would incentivize UCLA to offer him a larger NIL deal that could entice him to stay another year in school. Iamalevea was highly sought after before deciding to go back home. It's no surprise considering his career so far. After being a backup in 2023, he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading Tennessee University to the playoffs in 2024, his first year as a starter. Iamaleva has the arm talent and size; he's six feet six inches tall, which is exactly what NFL scouts crave. In the right system, he could have a season that makes draft analysts want to talk about him all season long. For the UCLA coaching staff, that's a level of potential they haven't had in some time. And it's that potential that fuels NIL deals. How Iamaleava performs at UCLA will be closely watched by other student-athletes looking to leverage their talent and secure larger NIL deals or find situations where they can maximize their potential. If Iamaleava plays so well that he makes University of Tennessee officials regret their decision, then it's not hard to see other top talent having more successful NIL negotiations. Student-athletes transferring to play elsewhere has always been a part of college football, but it has never come with financial incentives for both the school and the students. It seems that it's no longer the case that college programs make the talent, but that the talent makes the program.
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision
Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.
Richard Childress addresses idea of suspension for Austin Hill
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