The Pittsburgh Panthers were one of the surprising success stories of the 2021 college football season. They finished the regular season 11-2, winning the ACC. A big part of that success came from their offense, fronted by quarterback Kenny Pickett and coached by offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.
Now comes word that the 64-year-old has resigned from the program and will not participate in their upcoming Peach Bowl game vs. Michigan State on Dec. 30.
News: Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple resigned this morning, according to sources close to the program. He is not expected to coach Pitt in the Peach Bowl against Michigan State on Dec. 30.https://t.co/yQcZHe1Lw9
— Johnny McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) December 7, 2021
The presumption now turns to where Whipple is heading. His name has been mentioned for the Nebraska offensive coordinator position, not to mention that there are multiple head coaching and offensive coordinator positions that he could fill as well.
A known candidate for the #Huskers OC job, Pitt OC Mark Whipple reportedly resigned this morning: https://t.co/taaCFXfL1Q
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) December 7, 2021
Before he worked for Pitt, Whipple had head coaching stints with Brown and UMass, most recently overseeing the Minutemen in their transition from the MAC to FBS Independent status. He also spent some years in the NFL with the Steelers, Eagles, and Browns, as well as working for Miami as an offensive coordinator between 2009 and 2010.
Given that Mario Cristobal was just hired as the head coach at Miami and is in need of an OC, that’s another possibility that could be causing Whipple’s move.
While we wait to find out exactly where Whipple is going, there is plenty of speculation in the college football world on social media.
Welcome to Baton Rouge https://t.co/QEojCtWr1p
— dylan sanders (@DillySanders) December 7, 2021
A rather significant development. Pittsburgh has one of the top offenses in the nation this season. https://t.co/ohJ4hmAQp5
— Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) December 7, 2021
Is Whipple going to be Cristobal's OC in Miami, @IanHest??? https://t.co/pKM6oE29s7
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) December 7, 2021
Worth watching. #Huskers https://t.co/Pvs5u6TqEy
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) December 7, 2021
#Huskers OC watch 👀 https://t.co/qsnNKVjurV
— Mason Kern Local4 (@MasonKernMedia) December 7, 2021
We’ll likely hear more very soon when Whipple is announced for his new job, whether that’s Nebraska, Miami, LSU, or someplace else entirely.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.