Football
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends
- Season at Pitt:
- First
Jacob Bronowski enters his second season at Pitt as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.
In his inaugural season with the Panthers, Bronowski played a pivotal role in helping PK Ben Sauls have one of the most remarkable seasons ever recorded by a Pitt specialist. Sauls stood out as the sole kicker selected to the Pro Football Focus (PFF) 27-member All-America squad. Additionally, he received recognition from SI.com, earning a spot on their second-team All-America Team, and was a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Semifinalist. Sauls led the team in scoring with 107 points, achieved by converting 21 out of 24 field goals (87.5%) and all 44 extra points attempts. This exceptional performance earned him an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the 2025 NFL Combine. Sauls went on to be signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent.
On the offensive side, TE Gavin Bartholomew also had a standout season, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. Under Bronowski’s guidance, Bartholomew set personal bests in both receptions and touchdowns (tied). He also secured a spot at the prestigious Reese’s Senior Bowl and was invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, en route to being selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Bronowski spent the two seasons prior to Pitt at Miami as special teams coordinator and defensive assistant. His work in 2023 helped the RedHawks to an 11-3 overall record—including a 23-14 victory over Toledo in the MAC Championship Game—and invitation to the Cure Bowl. His special teams ranked first nationally in ESPN’s 2023 efficiency ratings and finished the regular season leading the country with a 44.09 net punting average. The RedHawks finished second nationally in blocked kicks (six) and 14th in punt returns (12.46 avg.).
Under his tutelage, Graham Nicholson won the 2023 Lou Groza Award, annually presented to college football's top placekicker. A consensus All-American, Nicholson compiled a team-high 116 points, converting an impressive 96% of his field goal attempts (27 of 28).
Additionally, punter Alec Bevelhimer was a Ray Guy Award (nation's top punter) semifinalist, averaging a robust 45.0 yards per punt.
Bronowski earned some impressive accolades as well. He was named to the 247Sports All-Assistant Team, a 12-man roster of the best coordinators and position coaches from the 2023 season. He additionally was selected to participate in the prestigious American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) "35 Under 35" 2023 Coaches Leadership Institute.
Prior to Miami, Bronowski spent the 2021 season at Tennessee as special teams analyst. The Volunteers featured Velus Jones Jr., who led the SEC and ranked second nationally with a 15.1-yard punt return average and was named the SEC's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year. Jones is now a member of the Chicago Bears.
As a team, the 2021 Volunteers boasted national top-25 rankings in punt return defense (sixth), kickoff return average (12th), punt return average (14th) and net punting (21st).
In 2020, Bronowski was a special teams quality control assistant at UCF, where he worked with Alex Ward, a finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (nation's top long snapper), who is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
During the 2018-19 seasons, Bronowski was the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at nearby Robert Morris University. Under his guidance, the 2019 Colonials ranked 11th nationally in blocked punts (three), while leading the Northeast Conference in punt return defense, blocked punts and kickoff return defense in NEC play. Individually, he tutored All-America tight end Matthew Gonzalez and All-NEC placekicker Nick Bisceglia.
Bronowski began his coaching career at New Mexico, his alma mater. A quarterback during the 2013 season, he became a student assistant (2014-15) and then a graduate assistant (2016-17) for the Lobos. In addition to special teams, he also worked with the Lobos' quarterbacks and wide receivers.
New Mexico advanced to consecutive bowls (2015-16), winning the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl over UTSA, the Lobos' first bowl victory in 10 years. During the 2017 campaign, New Mexico earned top-10 national rankings in punting average (second), kickoff return defense (fourth) and net punting (eighth).
Bronowski worked with future NFL standouts in placekicker Jason Sanders (Miami Dolphins) and Corey Bojorquez (Cleveland Browns) at New Mexico.
A native of College Station, Texas, Bronowski earned his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from New Mexico in 2016. He and his wife, Stacey, have two sons, Brody and Baker.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Hometown: College Station, Texas
Alma Mater: New Mexico, 2016
Family: Bronowski and his wife, Stacey, have two sons, Brody and Baker.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Pitt, 2024, special teams coordinator and tight ends.
Miami (OH), 2022-23, special teams coordinator and defensive assistant.
Tennessee, 2021, special teams analyst.
UCF, 2020, special teams quality control.
Robert Morris, 2018-19, special teams coordinator and tight ends.
New Mexico, 2016-17, graduate assistant.
