prospectus

2015 PITT PANTHERS SPRING FOOTBALL
Jim Chaney
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Pat Narduzzi tapped 30-year coaching veteran Jim Chaney to be Pitt’s new offensive coordinator
and quarterbacks coach.
Owning an impressive résumé that includes time in the Big Ten, Southeastern Conference
and National Football League, Chaney comes to Pittsburgh after serving as offensive coordinator
at the University of Arkansas the past two seasons. Among the many standouts he
has coached is quarterback Drew Brees, who he worked with while offensive coordinator at
Purdue.
“Jim Chaney brings outstanding experience and knowledge to our staff,” Narduzzi said. “He
has the expertise to run different offenses and tailor game plans to his personnel’s strengths.
Moreover, Jim is a brilliant quarterback coach who has tutored some exceptional college and
pro players, including a Super Bowl MVP in Drew Brees.”
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: January 12, 1962
Hometown: Holden, Mo.
Alma Mater: Central Missouri
State, 1985
Family: Chaney and his wife Lisa
have two daughters, Elizabeth
and Sara.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
College
Cal State Fullerton, 1985-87,
assistant coach.
Western Michigan, 1988,
offensive line.
Cal State Fullerton, 1988-92,
offensive coordinator and
recruiting coordinator.
Wyoming, 1993, graduate
assistant/tight ends; 1994-96,
offensive line and recruiting
coordinator.
Purdue, 1997-2005, offensive
coordinator; 1997-2001,
recruiting coordinator.
Tennessee, 2009-12, offensive
coordinator and quarterbacks.
Arkansas, 2013-14, offensive
coordinator and quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh, 2015, offensive
coordinator and quarterbacks.
Professional
St. Louis Rams, 2006-07,
offensive line; 2008, tight ends.
Chaney was an instrumental figure in Arkansas achieving their first winning campaign since
2011 this past year. The Razorbacks averaged 406 yards and 31.9 points per game, capping
the season with a 31-7 rout of Texas in the Texas Bowl. Chaney’s offense produced two
1,000-yard rushers and a 2,000-yard passer.
In 2013, Chaney’s offense featured underclassmen starters at quarterback, running back,
tight end and two offensive line positions. Despite that youth, Arkansas averaged 5.28 yards
per rush—the fourth highest season average in school history. Center Travis Swanson was
a first team All-American, while running back Alex Collins was a 1,000-yard rusher and the
SEC Freshman of the Year. Arkansas set a school record by surrendering only eight sacks.
Prior to Arkansas, Chaney was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University
of Tennessee from 2009-12. He served as the Volunteers’ interim head coach for the 2012
season finale, a 37-17 win over Kentucky. That same year, UT quarterback Tyler Bray threw
for 3,612 yards and 34 touchdowns, both career bests. Bray’s 530 passing yards against Troy
broke Peyton Manning’s single-game school record and marked the second highest total in
SEC history.
The Volunteers ranked among the nation’s most productive offenses in 2012, finishing 15th
in passing yards, 18th in total offense and 22nd in scoring.
Prior to Knoxville, Chaney spent three seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams (2006-08),
working with the offensive line for two seasons and the tight ends for one. Steven Jackson
was a 1,000-yard rusher in each of Chaney’s three seasons in St. Louis.
From 1997-2005, Chaney was the offensive coordinator at Purdue. He also served as recruiting
coordinator his initial five seasons with the Boilermakers. During his tenure, Purdue led
the Big Ten in passing offense five times and total offense three times. The Boilermakers
finished in the nation’s top 10 in total offense six times, including the 2000 season when
they averaged 471.2 yards per game to rank fourth.
While at Purdue, Chaney worked with Drew Brees, who led the nation in total offense in
2000 (358.1 yards per game) and was selected the winner of the prestigious Maxwell Award
as the college player of the year. Additionally, Tim Stratton was named the winner of the
inaugural John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. Purdue captured the Big
Ten title in 2000 and advanced to its first Rose Bowl in 34 years.
Chaney is a 1985 graduate of Central Missouri State, where he was an all-conference nose
guard. He and his wife Lisa have two daughters, Elizabeth and Sara.
14