Pittsburgh head coach, Pat Narduzzi, known for his outspoken nature, has found himself in hot water with the ACC following his remarks about the officiating during Pitt's recent victory over rival West Virginia. The ACC issued a public reprimand to Narduzzi and imposed a $5,000 fine on the school as a result.

In an interview with ESPN after the 38-34 win, Narduzzi expressed his frustration with some of the calls made against his team, particularly highlighting a late hit out of bounds and what he saw as a hands-in-the-face penalty. His comments raised eyebrows and caught the attention of the ACC, who considered them a violation of their sportsmanship policy.

The game against West Virginia saw Pitt being penalized 12 times for a total of 112 yards, while their rivals incurred seven penalties for 67 yards. The ACC's response was to impose a fine on the school, with the funds being directed towards the Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford postgraduate scholarship, benefiting ACC student-athletes pursuing graduate degrees.

The ACC clarified that Narduzzi's conduct violated their policy on public criticism of officials and commenting on officiating in a capacity other than directly to the conference office. Such public comments, according to the ACC, are not in the best interest of intercollegiate athletics.

Narduzzi, who is currently in his 10th season at Pitt, has a history of speaking his mind and stirring up controversy. During his time as the defensive coordinator for Michigan State, he was highly regarded by both players and fans. However, his reputation took a hit when he made comments before and after Michigan State's Peach Bowl victory over Pitt in December 2021.

In the recent past, Narduzzi had remarked about the impact of Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, stating that he believed the game's outcome would have been drastically different if Nick Patti had played the entire game. These remarks, although expressing his own opinions, drew criticism and may have contributed to the strained relationship with his former team.

As the reprimand and fine from the ACC underscore Narduzzi's need to be cautious with his remarks, it remains to be seen how the coach will respond to this incident. With a colorful history of speaking his mind, Narduzzi's outspoken nature has both garnered attention and created consequences throughout his coaching career.

It should also be noted that Narduzzi's tenure at Michigan State was not solely defined by controversy. Under his guidance, the Spartans consistently boasted a strong defense from 2007 to 2014, culminating in memorable victories such as the Cotton Bowl win against Baylor in 2014.

While Narduzzi's passion and intensity are undeniable assets, striking a balance between voicing concern and adhering to league policies will undoubtedly be crucial for him moving forward.