Pat-Narduzzi-MM.jpg

Pat Narduzzi had accepted Pitt's head coaching job on Dec. 26, but that didn't stop him from finishing out his defensive coordinator duties at Michigan State in a 42-41 win over Baylor.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

EAST LANSING -- Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi's interviews with Colorado State and Pittsburgh were well-documented, but he also interviewed for the head coaching position at Wisconsin, according to a report.

Narduzzi was introduced as the Panthers' head coach on Dec. 26, but he carried out his duties as Michigan State's defensive coordinator through the Spartans' 42-41 come-from-behind victory over Baylor on New Year's Day in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Narduzzi's Michigan State defense -- the only in the nation to rank in the top 10 in the nation in total defense each of the past four seasons -- shut out the nation's No. 1 scoring offense in the fourth quarter to help key MSU's rally from a 41-21 deficit.

Spartans coach Mark Dantonio mentioned that Michigan State "had a lot going on" during its bowl preparations, in reference to Narduzzi being in and out with interviews.

But Dantonio made it clear throughout the process he completely supported Narduzzi's quest to become a head football coach and the hurdles that came with it.

Narduzzi was very popular with MSU players, and most all of them supported his quest to become a head coach and felt confident with the program moving forward when asked how his departure might affect the team.

"At some point someone will come and get him, but right now our focus is on who we are playing,'' Spartans' defensive tackle Lawrence Thomas said in the days leading up to the Cotton Bowl. "We trust ourselves, we don't even worry about all the outside stuff, we're a family. Whatever happens, happens, and we'll be fine with Coach Dantonio.''

Dantonio said Narduzzi was a valuable staff member and a close friend, but the Spartans' head coach said his team can maintain the sort of success that has led to back-to-back Top 5 finishes in Narduzzi's absence.

The combative Narduzzi has hit the ground running in Pittsburgh, most recently challenging Penn State coach James Franklin's mantra to "dominate the state.''

"I've been in a state where they thought they owned it -- they thought,'' Narduzzi said on Pittsburgh's WPXI-TV.

Narduzzi also said on the Panthers' flagship station, 93.7 FM The Fan, in reference to the Nittany Lions' confident approach, that "We had a school like that down the road in Michigan that maybe had the same attitude.''

The former Spartans' defensive coordinator has said he plans to look for players who are a good fit for his program, more so than those with the highest star rankings.

On Thursday, linebacker Anthony McKee from Columbus, Ohio, made a verbal commitment to play at Pitt.

Michigan State had been recruiting McKee throughout his senior season and had extended a scholarship offer.

A recent TribLive.com blog shows that Narduzzi still has a lot of catching up to do to equal the Nittany Lions' Class of 2015.

Pitt coaches were out protecting our turf today. Now time for a big weekend on campus. #OntheProwl #H2P pic.twitter.com/9P3OzYd5LM — Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) January 16, 2015

I don't care about stars🌟- my man tore it up last night! #H2P — Pat Narduzzi (@CoachDuzzPittFB) January 24, 2015