Senior captains look to take a more vocal leadership role as Pitt approaches new season

When he played the game, Pat Narduzzi was a captain. That should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him and watches him go about his daily business as Pitt’s head coach.

Narduzzi revealed the names of Pitt’s four captains Friday at the annual Kickoff Luncheon at Acrisure Stadium. All four seniors — tight end Gavin Bartholomew, offensive tackle Branson Taylor, wide receiver Konata Mumpfield and linebacker Brandon George — have been leaders by example for much of their careers. But they’re becoming more vocal around their teammates as they approach their final season.

Pitt captain Gavin Bartholomew… pic.twitter.com/brWL59wFhn

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 23, 2024

Pitt captain Konata Mumpfield … pic.twitter.com/eTH90xIgJs

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 23, 2024

Their coach never has had any trouble expressing himself, either as a player or coach.

“I was one of those guys who didn’t care,” he said. “I’m not looking for likes on Twitter. I’m going to tell it like it is.

“If you guys are all out of line and not getting the job done, I’m going to snap on you, just like I do as a head coach. Head coaches have to be like that. Leaders have to be like that. You might not want to hear what I’ve got to say.

“We need more of those. I need that one guy or two guys — even if they’re not captains — to tell it like it is. Brandon George is maybe that guy who can step up with a little nudge by me.”

Narduzzi estimated that 65% of his players in position to lead end up leading by example.

“You wish you had a little bit more vocal guys. To me to be a good leader, you have to be the guy who’s going to tell it like it is and not worry about hurting anybody’s feelings,” he said. “It’s hard to be that. That’s what I’m trying to pull out of these guys to step up and lead.”

Narduzzi called George “the ultimate leader.”

“He’s the guy who can bring people together. He’s just going to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Brandon is going to be that guy who’s going to call a team meeting by himself. Matter of fact, he’s already done that.”

George said he’ll keep vocal avenues open from his locker to anyone with a good idea.

“This isn’t a dictatorship. Everybody deserves a say,” he said. “I’m willing to listen to any idea someone may have. If they have a better idea than mine, I’m glad to use it and share it.”

Pitt captain Branson Taylor… pic.twitter.com/wbzlLHP1KY

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 23, 2024

Pitt captain Brandon George … pic.twitter.com/zKLoGs2HLW

— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) August 23, 2024

Mumpfield, a transfer from Akron in his third Pitt season, might be the quietest of the four. He was so shocked when his name was called Friday that Narduzzi said his reaction was “almost like it was a mistake.”

“My dad’s military, so I was always taught, ‘Work and ask questions later,’ ” Mumpfield said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be captain (coming into the season), but I definitely wanted to step up as a leader and increase my role.”

He said he was chosen as a captain for “just coming in day-in and day-out. working hard, putting my head down, being the same person every day.”

Bartholomew said he set a goal to be captain back in his freshman season of 2021. Narduzzi called him “a loyalist.”

“He’s a guy who had opportunity to leave (through the transfer portal), and he chose Pitt, turned down a lot of things to stay here with us,” the coach said. “The team has a lot of respect for him for that.”

Taylor was looking forward to calling home with the news.

“My mom’s going to be crying for sure. My brother’s going to be very excited,” he said.

Captains were chosen through a vote by their teammates, and Narduzzi said he did nothing more than count the votes. With three of four captains on offense, Narduzzi said, jokingly, “What the heck is going on? I’m a defensive coach, and we have one defensive captain.”