If you’re really looking to connect the dots, it would make sense for Charlie Partridge to land a major job in Florida. And really, what Power Five program wouldn’t want to have him on their coaching staff?
Partridge is one of, if not the best defensive line coaches in the country. When you combine that with his ability to recruit, especially in the talent-rich state of Florida, the speculation Tuesday night linking him to the open Florida Gators defensive line coaching position makes sense.
While the report tonight from On3 Sports makes sense, the good news for the Pitt football program is that it isn’t going to happen.
A major source close to the situation told Pittsburgh Sports Now Tuesday night that, “there’s nothing to (the reports), and it’s a non-story.”
PSN is told that no one from the Florida football program has contacted Partridge. More importantly, as he’s expressed when Miami and Alabama have approached in the past few seasons, Partridge has zero interest in leaving Pittsburgh or the Pitt football program.
Partridge has stockpiled a terrific group of young players on his defensive line unit (Jimmy Scott, Samuel Okunlola, Nahki Johnson, Antonio Camon, Jahsear Whittington, Since Edwards, Francis Brewu), and while there was a “down” season in 2023, there is a lot of excitement for the future of the Panthers’ defensive line.
Partridge previously spent time at Pitt, in the early to mid-2000s, before he went on to success at Wisconsin, rising to associate head coach/defensive coordinator and followed Bret Bielema to Arkansas for one season in 2013. Following a three-year stint as the head coach of Florida Atlantic, Partridge returned to Pitt in 2017.
Since arriving back at Pitt, he has helped the likes of Rashad Weaver, Patrick Jones, Jaylen Twyman and Calijah Kancey reach All-American success in Pittsburgh.
In addition to Partridge’s status as one of the very best defensive line coaches in college football and one of the key recruiters on Pitt’s staff, he’s made lasting impacts on the lives of countless young men he’s coached over the years.
With all the coaching changes happening, it’s natural to speculate, but Partridge will not be leaving Pitt for Florida this offseason.
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