The Maxwell Football Club announced today that University of Pittsburgh Head Coach Pat Narduzzi has been selected as the winner of the Club's 24th Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year Award and that Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Villanova linebacker Forrest Rhyne have been named dual winners of the 21^st Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award.

Rhyne had a monster year while leading the Wildcats (10-3 overall, 7-1 CAA) to a share of the conference title and a berth in the FCS quarterfinals. He led the FCS in total tackles (154) and ranks third nationally in tackles per game (11.8). He tallied double-digit stops in six of the last seven games including a career-high 21 in playoff games against Holy Cross and South Dakota State. He finished the season with 51 solo tackles and 103 assists, including eight for loss, 4.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries. He was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year and finished eighth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS.

Under Narduzzi's direction, Pitt has compiled an 11-2 record and won the program's first ACC championship with a 45-21 triumph over Wake Forest. The Panthers achieved a No. 12 ranking in the final College Football Playoff ratings, the highest in program history. Pitt's 11 victories are its most since 1981, when the Panthers—coached by Jackie Sherrill and quarterbacked by Dan Marino—went 11-1. Since taking over as head coach in 2015, Narduzzi has led Pitt to 36 victories in ACC play, the league's third-highest win total during that stretch. He is one of only two coaches nationwide—joining Alabama's Nick Saban—with multiple victories over Clemson in that span. The Panthers defeated the Tigers 27-17 this season and 43-42 in 2016, Clemson's lone blemish during its national title run.

Pickett's record-breaking season of 4,319 passing yards and 47 total touchdowns in leading Pitt to an 11-2 season capped by an ACC championship is well-regarded, but his off-field impact in the local community was just as important. In making the most of name, image and likeness deals this season, Pickett used his sponsorship opportunities to give back to his offensive line, give back to the local Pittsburgh community and make an impact as great as anyone in college football. Pickett was a finalist for the Maxwell Award, Heisman Trophy, Manning Award and was the winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was also selected as the ACC Player of the Year.

Narduzzi, Pickett and Rhyne will be honored Friday, March 18, 2022 at the 85^th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.  Also receiving awards at this event will be Bryce Young - Alabama (Maxwell Award), Jordan Davis - Georgia (Chuck Bednarik Award), Brock Bowers –Georgia  (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Dave Aranda – Baylor (The George Munger College Coach of the Year Award) . The Club will be announcing additional winners of professional awards and special awards next week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club's website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club's awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at  info@maxwellfootballclub.org.
 
About the Maxwell Football Club
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation.
The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the
professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development,
safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world
each year. Membership is open and additional information on the Club can be found at
www.maxwellfootballclub.org.