Inside The Panthers

Pitt's Jacob Bronowski Explains Trash Can Incident

The Pitt Panthers' tight ends and special teams coach provided some theatrics before the team's Spring Game.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski smashed a trash can during a motivational speech at the Panthers' practice facility.
Pitt tight ends coach Jacob Bronowski smashed a trash can during a motivational speech at the Panthers' practice facility. / Chirstopher Carter on Twitter

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers' new tight ends and special teams coach had quite the motivational speech ahead of the program's Spring Game on Saturday.

Jacob Bronowski, who was the special teams coordinator and a defensive assistant for two seasons at Miami (OH) prior to joining the Panthers, was named the head coach of the Blue Team and opted to smash a trash can against his head while speaking to the group on Thursday.

"I was getting fired and gave a quote from Sun Tzu - three-fourths of our guys didn't know who that was - but I was fired up and I looked over to the trash can," Bronowski said. "I walked over to it and started smashing it against my head repeatedly. I might've punted it."

With the Panthers seemingly putting an emphasis on upping energy and spirit this spring, it's safe to say that Bronowski's antics were rather well-received among his players.

"The guys went nuts," Bronowski said. "To me, it shows the guys you can have a heck of a lot of fun when you work. I don't care what it is. Those guys will be successful working human beings one day. You can whistle when you work no matter what. If that means banging a trash can above your head to get your guys excited--which my wife probably doesn't approve of--then, so be it."

The Gold Team, led by secondary coach Archie Collins, defeated Bronowski's Blue Team 17-10 behind standout performances from Nate Yarnell, Kenny Johnson, Gavin Bartholomew and Dayon Hayes among others.

Despite the loss, Bronowski reaffirmed his zeal for the program and coaching as a whole when explaining why the inspiration behind his actions.

"I love being in that building every single day," Bronowski said. "I love coming to work and the passion just pours out."

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt

Published
Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

Home/Basketball