Pitt defensive coordinator Randy Bates was named the Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association on Tuesday after guiding the Panthers defense to a second straight dominant season.
Bates has been coaching since 1982 and joined the Pitt staff in 2018. Before his arrival, the Pitt defense ranked 69th in total defense, allowing 396.6 yards per game. In 2020, the unit ranked 20th, with 339.5 yards per game.
The defensive coordinator was chosen from a pool of 26 FBS coaches from across the country who were selected based on their on-field results and community service.