What Is 1989 Pitt Panthers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 5-6 record under head coach Mike Gottfried. They played their home games at Pitt Stadium and were outscored 263-258 overall.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 5-6 record, failing to qualify for a bowl game
Played home games at Pitt Stadium, which had a capacity of 56,500
Head coach Mike Gottfried resigned after the season
Scored 258 total points, averaging 23.5 per game
Allowed 263 total points, averaging 23.9 per game

Overview

The 1989 Pittsburgh Panthers football team competed in the NCAA Division I-A football season as an independent program, representing the University of Pittsburgh. Led by head coach Mike Gottfried in his fifth and final season, the team struggled to maintain consistency and finished with a losing record.

Despite flashes of offensive potential, the Panthers failed to secure a winning season and did not qualify for a postseason bowl game. The team played its home games at the historic Pitt Stadium, located on the university's campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Record: The team finished the season with a 5-6 overall record, including four losses by seven points or fewer.
Head Coach:Mike Gottfried stepped down after the season, concluding a five-year tenure with a 31-25-1 record.
Home Stadium: The Panthers played at Pitt Stadium, a 56,500-seat facility that opened in 1925 and was demolished in 1999.
Scoring: Pittsburgh scored 258 total points across 11 games, averaging 23.5 points per game.
Defense: The defense allowed 263 points, averaging 23.9 points per game, highlighting narrow margins in close losses.

Season Performance

The 1989 campaign was marked by inconsistency, with the Panthers starting 2-0 but ultimately failing to sustain momentum. Key games included a 24-17 win over West Virginia and a close 20-17 loss to Notre Dame.

Season Opener: The Panthers defeated Ohio University 27-17 on September 9, 1989, at Pitt Stadium.
Rivalry Win: They won the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia 24-17, a highlight of the season.
Close Losses: Suffered narrow defeats to Notre Dame (20-17), Temple (20-17), and Rutgers (24-21).
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Paul Hackett led the passing attack, throwing for 1,267 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Defensive Standout: Linebacker Greg Haggerty recorded 98 tackles, leading the team in defensive stops.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1989 season compared to surrounding years in terms of performance and coaching tenure:

Season	Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against	Bowl Game
1987	7-4-1	Mike Gottfried	271	245	Yes (Fiesta)
1988	7-4	Mike Gottfried	249	200	Yes (Peach)
1989	5-6	Mike Gottfried	258	263	No
1990	3-8	Pat Narduzzi (interim)	172	276	No
1991	4-7	Paul Hackett	182	267	No

The 1989 season marked a turning point, as the team regressed from back-to-back bowl appearances in 1987 and 1988. The decline in win total and defensive performance foreshadowed deeper program struggles in the early 1990s.

Why It Matters

The 1989 season is significant as the final chapter of Mike Gottfried’s coaching era and a symbol of the program’s transition into a period of decline before eventual rebuilding. It reflects the volatility of college football programs without sustained recruiting and administrative support.

End of an Era: Mike Gottfried’s resignation marked the end of a five-year tenure that began with promise but faded by 1989.
Recruiting Impact: The season’s struggles contributed to declining recruiting rankings in the early 1990s.
Stadium Legacy: Games at Pitt Stadium in 1989 were among the last before its 1999 demolition.
Conference Shift: As an independent, the lack of conference affiliation hurt scheduling stability and postseason access.
Program Rebuilding: The 1989 season set the stage for future changes, including Paul Hackett’s promotion to head coach in 1991.
Historical Benchmark: It serves as a reference point for evaluating the program’s ups and downs over decades.

While not a standout season statistically or historically, the 1989 Panthers remain a case study in how quickly college football fortunes can shift without consistent leadership and performance.