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Panthers hire assistant

The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Charlie Partridge is back with the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Coach Pat Narduzzi hired Partridge on Tuesday to serve as the team’s defensive line coach. Partridge replaces Tom Sims, who left the program earlier this month.

Partridge served as head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2014-16, going 9-27 during his time with the Owls. He spent four years as the defensive line coach and one as the linebackers coach during his first tenure with Pitt, from 2003-07. Partridge’s previous assistant coaching stops include Arkansas (2013) and Wisconsin (2008-12).

Narduzzi called Partridge’s familiarity with Pitt “a major asset.” The Panthers are retooling the defensive line after losing Ejuan Price to graduation. Pitt went 8-5 last season.

Elsewhere:

n Michigan State has identified a suspended member of the football staff who specializes in mentoring athletes. University spokesman Jason Cody said Curtis Blackwell was suspended with pay. He wouldn’t offer any other details Tuesday or say whether Blackwell is the staff member who was suspended last week as part of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving three players. Since 2013, Blackwell has been the team’s director of college advancement and performance.

n Iowa hired North Dakota State offensive coordinator Tim Polasek as its line coach and Kelton Copeland as its wide receivers coach. Polasek had spent the past three seasons at North Dakota State, an FCS powerhouse that beat Iowa in Iowa City in 2016. Copeland had been with Northern Illinois the past four years, coaching the wide receivers. Polasek replaces Brian Ferentz, who was promoted to offensive coordinator last month.

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