| Year: | 1979 |
| Team: | Pittsburgh Panthers |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Coachrank: | 6 |
| Aprank: | 7 |
| Record: | 11–1 |
| Head Coach: | Jackie Sherrill |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Coach: | Wally English |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Off Scheme: | Multiple pro-style |
| Def Coach: | Foge Fazio |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Def Scheme: | Multiple front |
| Stadium: | Pitt Stadium |
| Champion: | Fiesta Bowl champion Eastern champion |
| Bowl: | Fiesta Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 16–10 vs. Arizona |
The 1979 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season. The independent Panthers competed in the Fiesta Bowl and were awarded the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy as the champion of the East.
In the Backyard Brawl, Pittsburgh was led by true freshman quarterback Dan Marino, making his second collegiate start. He directed Pitt to a 24–17 victory in the last college football game played at old Mountaineer Field.[1] [2]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Jo Jo Heath | Defensive back | 6 | 141 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Tackle | 10 | 276 | Los Angeles Rams | |