Updated at bottom. First posted 4:32 p.m.
Mark Whipple resigns as Pittsburgh Panthers' offensive coordinator
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Whipple, 64, just completed his third season as Pitt's offensive coordinator and mentored quarterback Kenny Pickett, who on Monday was named a Heisman Trophy finalist.
"During his three seasons at Pitt, Mark Whipple was a great asset for our entire football program," coach Pat Narduzzi said in a statement. "He did a tremendous job transitioning us from a heavy run attack to one of the best passing games in the entire country. [which was the reason I didn't like him] His great work with quarterbacks was obviously on full display, given the outstanding year Kenny Pickett has enjoyed. I am very grateful for Mark's time in Pittsburgh, both personally as well as professionally, and I wish him and his family the very best moving forward."
No reason was given for Whipple's resignation.
Whipple previously spent five seasons as UMass' head coach, and also coached quarterbacks at both the NFL and college levels. Whipple had been mentioned as a candidate for Nebraska's offensive coordinator vacancy.
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Matt Fortuna
@Matt_Fortuna
Sources: Pitt OC Mark Whipple resigned this morning. The Panthers had the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense and Kenny Pickett became a Heisman finalist under Whipple. There was no animosity with the decision, source adds. Pickett is expected to play in the Peach Bowl vs. Michigan St
3:01 PM · Dec 7, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
Adam Rittenberg
@ESPNRittenberg
Source confirms #Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple is stepping down and not expected to coach in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State. Whipple did a great job developing Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett.
@jmcgonigal9
first reported.
2:47 PM · Dec 7, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
It does piss me off that he won't coach in the Peach Bowl.
So I googled "mark whipple." There is a Wikipedia snippet:
Nebraska. But when I clicked on Wikipedia to go to his page, there was nothing about Nebraska. (??)
Mark Whipple
Mark John Whipple (born April 1, 1957) is an American football coach. He was last the offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh. I can't swear to it but I don't think "was last" was in the Wikipedia entry when I first checked.
Why would he leave now and not coach in the Peach Bowl? Nebraska is not going bowling this year.
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Then there is this from the Lincoln Journal-Star, 52 minutes ago:
Pitt OC Mark Whipple, a candidate for Nebraska's job, resigned Tuesday; What's his next move?
They don't even know.
Now there is this--"Just In!' as they say:
Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple interviewed with Nebraska Sunday, Parker Gabriel of the Lincoln Journal-Star reported.
Well, that is not quite what the Lincoln Journal-Star reported
There had been question about whether the 64-year-old Whipple would actually leave Pittsburgh at this point in his career for another coaching job. He is a Tarrytown, New York, native and has spent most of it on the East Coast, including two stints as the head coach at UMass. In fact, he hasn’t had a coaching job outside the Eastern time zone since 1984.
However, Whipple now won’t be returning to Pitt. What’s his next move? Certainly, he could retire after a good run with a tremendous quarterback in Pickett, who is off to the NFL. Also, a report from a Pittsburgh radio station cited a source saying that Whipple's decision to resign, "is family-related."
As of Monday night, Whipple was still working for the Panthers. He conducted an in-home visit with Florida State transfer quarterback Chubba Purdy recently, per a tweet from Purdy. Purdy is a Gilbert, Arizona, native.
Thankful to of received an offer from @Pitt_FB. Thank you Coach Whipple for an awesome home visit! pic.twitter.com/MvvmpYOYYF
— Chubba Purdy (@chubbapurdy) December 7, 2021
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost spent most of Sunday afternoon and evening in the Phoenix area before moving on to California yesterday, which would have left Frost plenty of time to meet with Whipple in Arizona.
This is very strange.
