No trolling intended, but if this place could put the screws to a guy like Dixon, who has given Pitt a consistent basketball presence, it very well can make this kind of hire. And it did.

Yikes.

Ha. That's horrible. Good luck to Pitt basketball.

(03-28-2016 06:41 AM)The Cutter of Bish Wrote:  No trolling intended, but if this place could put the screws to a guy like Dixon, who has given Pitt a consistent basketball presence, it very well can make this kind of hire. And it did.

Yikes.

I bet the alums were the ones pushing for a change. As good as Pitt had been as opposed to where it was, they struggled so mightily once the Tournament started. You can only say "we'll get 'em next time" so many times before it's time see if there are other options out there. In addition to missing the Dance altogether a couple times recently, they really hadn't been getting to the Sweet 16 all that much either and the height of his tenure was a single Elite 8 appearance.

I don't blame them for making a change, though I think they could have tried to find another replacement.

(03-27-2016 09:00 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(03-27-2016 05:32 PM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  Wow, talk about a botched hire!

Why? Roy Williams disciple. Only 55 but over 450 career wins. He knows what he's doing.

But We are talking about a coach whom was on His way out in the SEC........Basketball...... where only Kentucky is King and recently only A&M and earlier Florida have posted any threat to Them. The ACC will be brutal for years to come. Hope it works out for Pitt.

and this is what we're going to start to hear more and more I think:

Pittsburgh signee Justice Kithcart has reopened his recruitment, his father told ESPN. Kithcart was a four-star point guard who pledged to the Panthers under Jamie Dixon last September. Former Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings replaced Dixon on Sunday. "After talking to Coach Stallings he feels that's what he want to do," James Kithcart said.

Only time will tell if this works out for Pitt, but remember, when Howland was hired out of Northern Arizona, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative - "from a small school", "from the West, won't be able to recruit NYC" etc and it turned out well.

(03-28-2016 12:49 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Only time will tell if this works out for Pitt, but remember, when Howland was hired out of Northern Arizona, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative - "from a small school", "from the West, won't be able to recruit NYC" etc and it turned out well.

big difference though.. Howland was 41 when hired by Pittsburgh. Also, he had dominated the Big Sky last 3 years- going 37-7 in those 3 years.... Stallings last 3 years has gone 27-27 in the SEC. He's also 55(56 when he coaches his 1st game).

But the SEC is significantly harder than the Big Sky and his overall record was solid given it was Vanderbilt.

He should be able to get better recruits at Pitt. Winning at Vandy (the only academically inclined school in the SEC) is a plus. -here is where the UNC fraud jokes are inserted due to my allegiance- I think it is a safe hire, and by no means a bad hire. He could retire there.

You ever seen that episode of South Park called "Insecurity?" No one was even thinking about UNC.

(03-29-2016 03:03 AM)_C2_ Wrote:  You ever seen that episode of South Park called "Insecurity?" No one was even thinking about UNC.

I thought I was being funny!

IMHO..if Pitt couldn't get another Power Program guy that wasn't struggling or Fast Mover Mid-Major HC...Pitt should've taken the best Top Assistant Available from the ACC or B1G.

Pitt: Thank you for getting rid of Dixon

Signed
Every Cuse Fan Alive

(03-29-2016 11:26 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  IMHO..if Pitt couldn't get another Power Program guy that wasn't struggling or Fast Mover Mid-Major HC...Pitt should've taken the best Top Assistant Available from the ACC or B1G.

Pitt: Thank you for getting rid of Dixon

Signed
Every Cuse Fan Alive

Cards fans loved Dixon conversely. The Cards own a 7 or 8 game win streak over Pitt & have defeated them more on their new home court than anyone. It looks like that trend will continue.

I loved the Marquette/Pitt games. They were always evenly matched and highly entertaining - Old Big East basketball. I believe Marquette was 7-6 against Pitt (and Dixon) while in conference, but the games were always competitive.