Can I just sit quietly in this forum while grabbing my knees in the fetal position?
As a basketball fan
- Thread starter billstadt
- Start date
I'm guessing it's in meltdown mode over there? Who would have thunk it that hiring a career jabroni wouldn't result in more success?
I checked it out earlier and it's hilarious over there, albeit in a tragic, morbid way.
Best thread? That this was all intentional to diminish Pitt BB so they can tear down the Pete and build an on campus stadium. That is Nittany like loony logic.
Ha, kinda funny.
I started a thread over there a few years ago asking who would support tearing down the Pete for a football stadium and it got erased immediately.
one of the common threads over the years is both Pitt football and basketball fans have gotten to enjoy the Pitt administration blow up their beloved programs with stupid, short sighted decisions.......
For basketball.........righting the ship will now fall to the very questionable capabilities of Ms Lyke, who by all accounts from those with a knowledge of the sport, left two or three more deserving candidates on the board in the search for a new wrestling coach.
In a few short months Ms Lyke will face a protest in the form of 7000-8000 Pitt basketball fans refusing to send in their season ticket orders.
And football certainly is not in the clear. It will not be long before Narduzzis name is mentioned with bigger programs. I (we) always suspected that day will come.....I had hoped that our administration would recognize a successful football program is worth sustaining.
Anyone here feeling confident??
For basketball.........righting the ship will now fall to the very questionable capabilities of Ms Lyke, who by all accounts from those with a knowledge of the sport, left two or three more deserving candidates on the board in the search for a new wrestling coach.
In a few short months Ms Lyke will face a protest in the form of 7000-8000 Pitt basketball fans refusing to send in their season ticket orders.
And football certainly is not in the clear. It will not be long before Narduzzis name is mentioned with bigger programs. I (we) always suspected that day will come.....I had hoped that our administration would recognize a successful football program is worth sustaining.
Anyone here feeling confident??
"Las Panteras, post: 1878444, member: 5316"]one of the common threads over the years is both Pitt football and basketball fans have gotten to enjoy the Pitt administration blow up their beloved programs with stupid, short sighted decisions.......
Pitt Athletics had challenges being an Urban Commuters Campus Private University just like Northwestern, TCU, Miami, Temple, Georgia Tech where Urban Land Acquisition is limited and requires 200,000 in changing versus 30,000 on Rural University for any Academic or Athletic Plans.
UCLA an Urban Campus struggles as well at Football but has Basketball Boosters that demand Basketball Excellence and supports Two Basketball Pro Teams. USC another Urban Private Campus but has Boosters that support Football but struggles at Basketball and until recently now has Two NFL Teams to compete with too. Pederson gave up on Pitt Football and built up Pitt Basketball, turned off many Boosters on intentional purpose, until Pederson and Howland left for their Dream Jobs using Pitt as a Stepping Stone, and that kind of Pederson Poison is still in the Pitt Football Boosters System.
Barnes another Stepping Stone Steve, made the same mistakes with Pitt Season Ticket Holders, Media, and Boosters by choosing his Old Boss Consultants mush like Steve whose Client was Stallings and Pitt has Barnes Poison left over in Basketball until Stallings can prove otherwise, Barnes is now in oreGONE!
Pitt is now in the ACC the Best in Basketball in the NCAA and with a Athletic Budget capable of supporting a Basketball Program when the Right People and Head Coach are found and want to come and stay at Pitt. Pitt is is just in its 5th year in ACC Football the best in Football for one year in 2016, but SEC & B1G till bring in bigger income, but did not stop FSU or Clemson from winning NCS Championship.
For basketball.........righting the ship will now fall to the very questionable capabilities of Ms Lyke, who by all accounts from those with a knowledge of the sport, left two or three more deserving candidates on the board in the search for a new wrestling coach.
Yet, Heather was not afraid to consider Pitt Alumni Coaching Candidates unlike Pederson's Poison that refused to consider them in Basketball and Football that are elsewhere and that is a welcome change and brought in a Pitt Alma Mater Booster in Football. This still bodes well for Pitt in ACC FB & BB as well, and needs some more time to Rebuild Football Program as Stallings gets his chance to see what he can do after Barnes's Bumbling in Basketball Buyouts , and ignoring other Coaches to help out his Consultants that once hired him, and then left leaving Lyke to fix it with Barnes's Stallings stuck Pitt for six years???
In a few short months Ms Lyke will face a protest in the form of 7000-8000 Pitt basketball fans refusing to send in their season ticket orders.
This will be the test for Pitt Leadership and Stallings too and Pitt Basketball can wait while Pitt Football Program continues to Rebuild with Narduzzi that think alike, in my view and are the right People at Pitt that both need more time to do it in both Top Sports now. Certainly more than 3 years for Narduzzi, and 3 weeks and months for Lyke?
And football certainly is not in the clear. It will not be long before Narduzzis name is mentioned with bigger programs. I (we) always suspected that day will come.....I had hoped that our administration would recognize a successful football program is worth sustaining.
This is the job of Gallagher & Pitt Boosters to rebuild Pitt Football Program, and Pitt Basketball Winning again, and finding and keeping the Right Athletic People in Coaching & Staffing with ACC Budgetary Stable Funding. Pitt is now in a position to be better in both Football Return to Rebuilding Program and is doing it, and allowing Stallings to bring back Basketball Renaissance and if not, can be bought out! Pitt is in a better position to Rebuild Pitt's Top Two Sports but up to Pitt Leadership to do it.
Anyone here feeling confident??
Yes, I am and for reasons I posted above and bringing back Pitt Boosters and finding New Sponsors will continue to improve and Narduzzi and Lyke support each other with ACC Income among increasing Pitt Boosters and let them do it for 4 to 5 years not just 3 years not 3 years or months, or weeks?
Pitt is in a far better position to do both "Lyke" never before and Narduzzi Coaching is focused, confident and content to find a Stable Long Term Staff as well after replacing 2 OC's and give the Pitt New AD sometime too. As stated by his word and deeds!
Pederson's Pitt Poison and Barnes's Buyouts Bum Decisions still need sometime to revive and recover from previous selfish Pitt AD's Athletic Leadership Systems with some Booster's Shots!
Pitt Athletics is on a more sound foundation than ever before and will continue to find the Right People in my view!
Pitt Athletics had challenges being an Urban Commuters Campus Private University just like Northwestern, TCU, Miami, Temple, Georgia Tech where Urban Land Acquisition is limited and requires 200,000 in changing versus 30,000 on Rural University for any Academic or Athletic Plans.
UCLA an Urban Campus struggles as well at Football but has Basketball Boosters that demand Basketball Excellence and supports Two Basketball Pro Teams. USC another Urban Private Campus but has Boosters that support Football but struggles at Basketball and until recently now has Two NFL Teams to compete with too. Pederson gave up on Pitt Football and built up Pitt Basketball, turned off many Boosters on intentional purpose, until Pederson and Howland left for their Dream Jobs using Pitt as a Stepping Stone, and that kind of Pederson Poison is still in the Pitt Football Boosters System.
Barnes another Stepping Stone Steve, made the same mistakes with Pitt Season Ticket Holders, Media, and Boosters by choosing his Old Boss Consultants mush like Steve whose Client was Stallings and Pitt has Barnes Poison left over in Basketball until Stallings can prove otherwise, Barnes is now in oreGONE!
Pitt is now in the ACC the Best in Basketball in the NCAA and with a Athletic Budget capable of supporting a Basketball Program when the Right People and Head Coach are found and want to come and stay at Pitt. Pitt is is just in its 5th year in ACC Football the best in Football for one year in 2016, but SEC & B1G till bring in bigger income, but did not stop FSU or Clemson from winning NCS Championship.
For basketball.........righting the ship will now fall to the very questionable capabilities of Ms Lyke, who by all accounts from those with a knowledge of the sport, left two or three more deserving candidates on the board in the search for a new wrestling coach.
Yet, Heather was not afraid to consider Pitt Alumni Coaching Candidates unlike Pederson's Poison that refused to consider them in Basketball and Football that are elsewhere and that is a welcome change and brought in a Pitt Alma Mater Booster in Football. This still bodes well for Pitt in ACC FB & BB as well, and needs some more time to Rebuild Football Program as Stallings gets his chance to see what he can do after Barnes's Bumbling in Basketball Buyouts , and ignoring other Coaches to help out his Consultants that once hired him, and then left leaving Lyke to fix it with Barnes's Stallings stuck Pitt for six years???
In a few short months Ms Lyke will face a protest in the form of 7000-8000 Pitt basketball fans refusing to send in their season ticket orders.
This will be the test for Pitt Leadership and Stallings too and Pitt Basketball can wait while Pitt Football Program continues to Rebuild with Narduzzi that think alike, in my view and are the right People at Pitt that both need more time to do it in both Top Sports now. Certainly more than 3 years for Narduzzi, and 3 weeks and months for Lyke?
And football certainly is not in the clear. It will not be long before Narduzzis name is mentioned with bigger programs. I (we) always suspected that day will come.....I had hoped that our administration would recognize a successful football program is worth sustaining.
This is the job of Gallagher & Pitt Boosters to rebuild Pitt Football Program, and Pitt Basketball Winning again, and finding and keeping the Right Athletic People in Coaching & Staffing with ACC Budgetary Stable Funding. Pitt is now in a position to be better in both Football Return to Rebuilding Program and is doing it, and allowing Stallings to bring back Basketball Renaissance and if not, can be bought out! Pitt is in a better position to Rebuild Pitt's Top Two Sports but up to Pitt Leadership to do it.
Anyone here feeling confident??
Yes, I am and for reasons I posted above and bringing back Pitt Boosters and finding New Sponsors will continue to improve and Narduzzi and Lyke support each other with ACC Income among increasing Pitt Boosters and let them do it for 4 to 5 years not just 3 years not 3 years or months, or weeks?
Pitt is in a far better position to do both "Lyke" never before and Narduzzi Coaching is focused, confident and content to find a Stable Long Term Staff as well after replacing 2 OC's and give the Pitt New AD sometime too. As stated by his word and deeds!
Pederson's Pitt Poison and Barnes's Buyouts Bum Decisions still need sometime to revive and recover from previous selfish Pitt AD's Athletic Leadership Systems with some Booster's Shots!
Pitt Athletics is on a more sound foundation than ever before and will continue to find the Right People in my view!
Pitt football is going to need that $2 million dollar donation after it costs the athletic department millions to unload Stallingrad.
I don't follow basketball much anymore, but showing a classy, beloved, successful, nationally respected coach the door for someone who's basically the complete opposite seemed dumb.
Pitt's perception in the eyes of the basketball community has been quite damaged. It was no surprise we had to make a desperation hire because of the WTF eyebrows that were collectively raised about what was going on. It will take a long time to rectify this debacle.
Better hope Narduzzi proves to be the next coming of Jackie Sherrill like some are convinced of, otherwise Pitt's athletic department is in serious trouble. I can't imagine this predicament without the security and financial stability of the ACC.
Lyke didn't set the world on fire out of the gate, but I believe that she's going to have a lot of chances to prove herself.
Was it donors or the previous AD?
It's honestly shaking up to be every bit as bad as the de-emphasis of the football program in the '88 except Gottfried was no Jamie Dixon.
At least basketball should be easier to fix since rosters are so much smaller.
Yeah, that's the million $ question. Depends who you talk to. Probably both.
If you think it is easy to fix basketball, look how long programs like Penn State, DePaul, and Rutgers have sucked. It's not easy to find top coaches, nor get them to a place like Pitt. Everyone is looking for them.
I always got a kick out of the argument in support of Pitt turning its nose up at Calipari years back.
"We'd get sanctioned!"
I always said we'll eventually sanction ourselves far worse than anything the NCAA could do. And w/ no championships or PR to show for it either.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here we are.
"We'd get sanctioned!"
I always said we'll eventually sanction ourselves far worse than anything the NCAA could do. And w/ no championships or PR to show for it either.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here we are.
Not easy, just easier than football. But I'm just guessing.
Has a program ever gone from the top to the bottom so quickly? That's a question for the hoops fans.
I remember seeing stuff in the P-G or Trib about the donors demanding Dixon get shown the exit.
Difficult situation if true.
I would agree that a rebuild can be done faster because of the numbers. It's easy to have one hit wonders and such, but much more difficult to sustain success of the long term like Pitt had for 15 years. Pitt will have to start over now.
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it can be done, but it is not for the faint of heart. You have to get involved in the AAU cesspool which is a game Pitt doesn't seem to want to play.
Pitt deserves credit at the time for increasing Dixon's pay when he had success. What happened under the scenes however? Why did Jamie's recruiting quite suddenly plummet through the subbasement after the Birch thing? Did the admins get angry or cold feet?
Was wondering the same thing. The basketball drop off started immediately following the two biggest recruits coming onboard--Birch and Adams.
Adams was an inside job, so to speak ... a guy literally in the middle of nowhere that JD got due to connections in NZ. But by then he was hardly getting anyone else from more typical recruiting sources. Birch seemed the catalyst, or anti- catalyst as it were. It was a high profile recruit, the guy was getting legit playing time (if not exactly blowing any socks off). He gets disenchanted and leaves right in the middle. The assistant that got him is soon gone too. The fate was similar of all of JD original assistants.
Attrition happens of course, but the new ones all seemed to uniformly suck. Even the guy with AAU ties was woefully ineffective. Even when Rohrrsen was brought back in, he was ineffective (but still was sought after by the top program in the nation, and bolted eagerly). Not only were the assistants poor in recruiting but development too. Pitt no longer had guys winning the awards for most improvement from year to year. In fact they more seemed to regress, if anything. Through it all Dixon certainly didn't look to be mailing it in. He was working his tail off at least by all impressions. So what was the reason?
I thought Jamie poisoned the recruiting well with the way he used - or didn't use Adams. Adams barely touched the ball unless he got a rebound. What center would come to Pitt after seeing a center oozing with potential barely ever touch the ball...
Just my theory after how maddening it was to watch that...
Go Pitt
Just my theory after how maddening it was to watch that...
Go Pitt
That probably didn't help (though part of the issue was Adams being a one, ok two, trick pony, which he still largely is). However the problems with recruiting and development were already happening. Getting Adams was a total fluke due to where he came from. He was a fine one for sure, but Jamie and staff were mostly whiffing at everything else by that time (which manifested itself in what we had the last couple years, i.e, not much).
It just seemed to stem from whatever caca went on with Birch. And from where I sit it looked like an admin that saw that we got Birch in what they consider "dirty" means ... aka some sort of perks, or promises of such. They shut off the siphon and jettisoned the assistant and put the clamps on all the others. And the walls came down, all the way to hell.
Some of you seem to conflate the seperate issues of allowing Jamie to walk and hiring Stallingrad. The big problem was the actual HIRE and not so much getting rid of Jamie. Pitt could have hired literally any other qualified or partially qualified candidate and that coach couldn't have done worse. Brandon Knight would have even been better. This is the real reason Barnes got out if Dodge. He knows Stallings was a pitiful hire and didn't want his D1 career to be over, which it would have been had he remained.
What's also troubling is that Gallagher didn't have the sense or forsight to see this coming.
What's also troubling is that Gallagher didn't have the sense or forsight to see this coming.
Both were problematic. People that think letting Dixon leave was smart, aren't.
Dixon was a good coach in the beginning of his tenure; in the rough and tumble Big East.
But when he had to change to accommodate the ACC he could not. I will not forget his deer in the headlights look when Pitt to the ACC was announced.
Remember he was making big bucks with a supportive (embarrassing supportive) administration.
His answer to the situation was to continue his poor recruiting habits coupled with micromanaging every aspect of "HIS TEAM". How the heck do you justify some of the moves that he made, such as hiring Smoke (joke) etc, etc.
We can continue to blame Stallings and that blame is probably well founded given the mass exodus of players and recruits.
But let's not lose sight of the hot mess that Dixon left Pitt to deal with.
But when he had to change to accommodate the ACC he could not. I will not forget his deer in the headlights look when Pitt to the ACC was announced.
Remember he was making big bucks with a supportive (embarrassing supportive) administration.
His answer to the situation was to continue his poor recruiting habits coupled with micromanaging every aspect of "HIS TEAM". How the heck do you justify some of the moves that he made, such as hiring Smoke (joke) etc, etc.
We can continue to blame Stallings and that blame is probably well founded given the mass exodus of players and recruits.
But let's not lose sight of the hot mess that Dixon left Pitt to deal with.
Perfect example of not smart.
And really, this has been rehashed endlessly. There is a side I don't respect, at all, and I've made that clear and will leave it at that. They are getting EXACTLY what they deserve now. Sadly, everyone is getting dragged along.
I agree that the squandering of Jamie would have been forgivable with a good replacement hire.
But it shouldn't have ever gotten to that.
It would have been much better to salvage the Jamie era. Just a small amount of stimulus funds to upgrade his assistants, line the pockets of recruits and their coaches/handlers, relax the chokehold that had led to the preposterous expulsion of players who smoked a joint.
Because Jamie was a BRAND NAME. He was no K or Calipari but he had built a measure of gravitas. His name was probably was why Pitt got into the tournament his final year; the team really wasn't worthy.
The Pitt administrations (plural) are such freaking idiots.
Keeping Jamie and increasing the budget would have been a legit thing to do, however since they DID decide to let him leave then the new coach hire absolutely HAD to be better than Stallings. I don't care if their first 10 choices turned them down. They would need to be on option 99 to let Stallingrad coach this program.
Does the blame lie most on the big money donors, BOT, AD, or all of the above?
No, the two are related.
Essentially shoving Dixon out the door was certainly a big red flag to any worthy coach who could have come here.
While not a guarantee, if Dixon left for a program like Kansas I think it would have been harder for Barnes to screw it up.
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