Andre Powell- Pitt Special Team Philosophy and Kickoff Coverage

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Andre Powell- Pittsburgh, Special Teams Coordinator / Running Backs Coach

Andre Powell enters his ninth season as Pitt's special teams coordinator and running backs coach, with a track record of exceptional impact in both areas. Under his guidance, Pitt has developed a reputation for producing outstanding runners like Israel Abanikanda, James Conner, Qadree Ollison, and Darrin Hall. Abanikanda led the ACC in rushing in 2022 and was a first-team All-American before being drafted by the New York Jets in 2023. Powell's coaching also saw Pitt achieve the milestone of having two 1,000-yard rushers in a single season in 2018 with Ollison and Hall. Conner, a two-time Pro Bowler now with the Arizona Cardinals, was another notable player under Powell, becoming the ACC's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns.

Powell's influence extends to special teams, where he has overseen game-changing performances and mentored top talents. In 2022, his special teams unit played a crucial role in Pitt's victory over UCLA in the Sun Bowl, with kicker Ben Sauls named Special Teams MVP. His mentorship has also produced standout players like Cal Adomitis, Kirk Christodoulou, and Quadree Henderson, with Henderson setting multiple school records and earning consensus All-America honors. Powell's earlier coaching stints include successful tenures at Maryland, Clemson, North Carolina, and Virginia, where he coached future NFL stars and set impressive records. A 1989 graduate of Indiana University, Powell's playing career as a fullback paved the way for his impactful coaching journey.