Pitt names former Western Carolina assistant JJ Laster wide receivers coach
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Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi filled the most recent vacancy on his coaching staff Monday when he named JJ Laster as the Panthers’ new wide receivers coach.
Laster replaces Tiquan Underwood, who left last week after two seasons at Pitt for a position with the New England Patriots. Underwood is the second Pitt assistant to leave this offseason for the NFL, joining defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who is now with the Indianapolis Colts.
Laster comes to Pitt after spending the past three seasons at Western Carolina where he was wide receivers coach under Pitt’s new offensive coordinator, Kade Bell. After Bell left for Pitt, Laster accepted a job at Old Dominion last month.
Western Carolina was third in the FCS in passing offense (321.1 yards per game) last season while finishing first in total offense (504.1) and fourth in scoring (37.5 points).
“It was apparent upon first meeting JJ that he is a tremendous teacher and leader of young men,” Narduzzi said in a statement. “He is the type of coach who will provide leadership well beyond the field and impact our players’ lives outside of football. Our entire team is really going to enjoy getting to know him.
“JJ has a great understanding of coach Bell’s offense given their really successful collaborations at WCU. We are looking forward to getting JJ started as we prepare for spring ball.”
Said Laster in a statement: “I am incredibly honored and blessed to join coach Narduzzi’s staff at the University of Pittsburgh. I know there is a great tradition of wide receiver excellence at Pitt. We are going to work tremendously hard to build on that rich history. I’m really looking forward to getting to Pitt to meet our players and prepare for a great spring.”
At Pitt, Laster will be reunited with former Western Carolina wide receiver Censere Lee, who was named All-Southern Conference last season while amassing 82 receptions for 1,426 yards and 14 touchdowns over two seasons. Also, former Western Carolina wide receiver David White Jr. is considered a 2024 NFL Draft prospect.
Laster was running backs and tight ends coach at Gardner-Webb in 2019 and coached running backs and wide receivers. He was recruiting coordinator at Tusculum University from 2016-18.
A running back and return specialist at Jacksonville University from 2008-11, he was a two-time All-Pioneer Football League honoree while compiling more than 2,400 career scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2010, Laster led the FCS with an average of 8.5 yards per rush, with 810 yards on 95 carries.
The hiring of Laster completes a complete overhaul of the offensive staff and puts six new assistants on Narduzzi’s staff entering his 10th season. Bell leads the group of newcomers that includes Jeremy Darveau (offensive line), Lindsey Lamar (running backs), Jacob Bronowski (tight ends/special teams), Tim Daoust (defensive line) and Laster.