prospectus

2015 PITT PANTHERS SPRING FOOTBALL
Rob Harley
Linebackers
Rob Harley enters his first year as Pitt’s linebackers coach. Harley spent the 2014 season
as the linebackers coach at FIU, where he worked with new Pitt defensive coordinator Josh
Conklin.
Harley arrives in Pittsburgh also very familiar with Pitt’s new head coach, Pat Narduzzi.
Harley served as a graduate assistant at Michigan State for two seasons (2012-13) when
Narduzzi was the Spartans’ defensive coordinator.
“Rob Harley is a very impressive recruiter and coach,” Narduzzi said. “He is a self-starter
with a tremendous work ethic. Rob worked with our new defensive coordinator Josh Conklin
at FIU this past year. Their experience together will be an immediate asset for us.”
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: October 16, 1982
Hometown: Elmhurst, Ill.
Alma Mater: Ohio State, 2006
COACHING EXPERIENCE
College
Ohio Dominican, 2010-11,
defensive backs, linebackers and
assistant special teams coordinator.
Michigan State, 2012, graduate
assistant/offense and special
teams; 2013, graduate assistant/
linebackers and special teams.
FIU, 2014, linebackers.
Pittsburgh, 2015, linebackers.
Harley helped FIU rank among the most disruptive defenses in college football last year. The
Golden Panthers ranked first nationally in fumble recoveries (19), second in defensive touchdowns
(six), fourth in turnovers gained (33) and eighth in turnover margin (plus-11 overall;
0.92 margin per game). FIU finished 35th in the country in total defense (363.8 yards per
game) and fourth in red zone defense (69.2%).
As a graduate assistant at Michigan State, Harley gained experience on both sides of the ball.
In 2013, he worked with the linebackers and special teams, helping the Spartans to a 13-1
record, the Big Ten title and a 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Michigan State’s
defense yielded just 252.2 yards per game to rank second nationally.
In 2012, Harley worked with the Spartans’ offense and special teams. Behind 1,793-yard
rusher Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State earned a berth in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, where it
defeated TCU, 17-16.
During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Harley served as the defensive backs/linebackers coach
and assistant special teams coordinator at Ohio Dominican University, an NCAA Division II
program.
A former safety at Ohio State (2001-05), Harley earned three letters with the Buckeyes and
was a member of their 2002 national championship team. In Harley’s final three seasons,
Ohio State posted a 29-8 record, including two victories in the Fiesta Bowl (2003 and 2005
seasons).
A 2006 graduate of Ohio State, Harley has deep roots with the Buckeyes. His uncle is the
legendary Chic Harley, the first three-time All-American in Ohio State history.
Harley earned his bachelor's in business administration from Ohio State. He additionally
owns a master's degree in kinesiology from Michigan State.
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