Chancellor Gabel’s Statement

[Sean Miller Fan]

I wasn't in the Gabel camp from the start. Someday her vision might be on a plane out of here. H2P!!!

I didn't like her kicking Dior off the team after he was allowed back. Even if she viewed that as a mistake, I dont think she had the right to correct that mistake because you are messing with a kid's life. I think that was Strike 1 against Heather though.

I dont mind this move to find a new AD. To me, this shows that she realizes we have 2 pro teams and we need something different in that position. We need to figure out how to get our players paid, raise money, generate revenue, and win in those 2 sports.

 

[pittdan77]

Well most people who recognize their insider was a mess would stop using said insider. But Vuk’s gonna Vuk.

No doubt. I never thought much of Vuk and I will always take what he writes with a grain of salt. That said, he's at least trying to provide some coverage where other outlets just go through the motions.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Honestly, I think she was using those interviews to leverage an extension. She did it once before. Vuk's article probably had some truth to it but there might have still been disagreement over financial terms and Pitt just said F-it and walked away from the table.

Not knowing anything, I'll be shocked if there was really a disagreement over the "vision" of the university or anything like that. It's not like the school is going to dump even more money into the football program. That philosophy might just be the problem if they're running a large deficit because the returns just won't be there. I don't know. This might not go the way people want it to.

Peak has disparaged the job Heather has does about as much as I've ever heard him tear anything at Pitt apart. And he has said this isn't speculation but rather well-sourced info. That has me confident that this is the right move for Pitt. He said we're in about as bad of financial shape as any team in the P4 right now, with one of the worst NILs in the ACC. I just don't see how we can end up in a worse spot than that.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Peak has disparaged the job Heather has does about as much as I've ever heard him tear anything at Pitt apart. And he has said this isn't speculation but rather well-sourced info. That has me confident that this is the right move for Pitt. He said we're in about as bad of financial shape as any team in the P4 right now, with one of the worst NILs in the ACC. I just don't see how we can end up in a worse spot than that.

Yea, he was pretty brutal. Almost made it sound like we are bankrupt. Maybe they should have listened to me about the volleyball arena. I'm sure the fact that the arena killed a Pitt employee didnt help matters.

 

[pittdan77]

Peak has disparaged the job Heather has does about as much as I've ever heard him tear anything at Pitt apart. And he has said this isn't speculation but rather well-sourced info. That has me confident that this is the right move for Pitt. He said we're in about as bad of financial shape as any team in the P4 right now, with one of the worst NILs in the ACC. I just don't see how we can end up in a worse spot than that.

In reality, he has no more insight than SMF because the books are closed. But, if that really is the case, it's probably not great news for the football program when you're outspending most of the ACC and the returns aren't great. If you're looking five or ten years out at what the landscape of CFB could look like, there probably aren't many paths upwards for Pitt.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Doesnt really matter what he thinks. The difference is that Riddick and Whaley both have managing skills from the NFL. And at this point you do need a Pitt guy. But Im talking about someone who is completely devoted to Pitt athletics. Someone that can get more donors to Pitt.

Schools are changing ADs a lot now, because you need a different type with this NIL crap. They have to be all in. I get what Dorin is saying. But Riddick is more than some TV personality. The man has been on NFl management staff, been a finalist for GM jobs. He also I think have a business degree.

With NIL, you cant just look for a person who has AD experience. Expecially at Pitt where all the complaints from fans and alumni, is the Pitt is behind the eight-ball with NIL, donors and people are devouted to Pitt. So they should not just dismiss speaking to former alumni. This hire is just way too important for the future of Pitt and its athletics.

Jesus H. Christ couldn’t increase donor levels
Stop it

 

[Las Panteras]

she realizes we have 2 pro teams and we need something different in that position. We need to figure out how to get our players paid, raise money, generate revenue, and win in those 2 sports

We dont know this at all. This is nothing more than your wish list.

As i read between the lines, my sense is Gabel wants FIRST AND FOREMOST, to stop the financial bleeding. It could very well be thats all that matters to her.

We have no idea if she wants to win, or doesnt really give a steaming dump about Pitt W's and L's......

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

In reality, he has no more insight than SMF because the books are closed. But, if that really is the case, it's probably not great news for the football program when you're outspending most of the ACC and the returns aren't great. If you're looking five or ten years out at what the landscape of CFB could look like, there probably aren't many paths upwards for Pitt.

He said it's all from sources within the athletic dept. He's about as hesitant as they come to let any info fly, so I tend to believe him on this one. I do hear what you're saying about spending not being a bad thing. I just think the landscape has changed so much that it pays to be frugal with the non-NIL spending so you can find a way to get more funding into NIL. Syracuse, for instance, hired a dude who almost definitely isn't qualified to be a head coach... but he's more of an enthusiasm injector in the NIL era. We shall see how it works out.

 

[PittPharm2002]

He said it's all from sources within the athletic dept. He's about as hesitant as they come to let any info fly, so I tend to believe him on this one. I do hear what you're saying about spending not being a bad thing. I just think the landscape has changed so much that it pays to be frugal with the non-NIL spending so you can find a way to get more funding into NIL. Syracuse, for instance, hired a dude who almost definitely isn't qualified to be a head coach... but he's more of an enthusiasm injector in the NIL era. We shall see how it works out.

It’s a good way to get left behind if the acc does fall apart
Bad facilities

 

[Dointhatrag]

Not a big fan of Goebbels so far.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

It’s a good way to get left behind if the acc does fall apart
Bad facilities

Sure, if this was 2019. But it's not.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Sure, if this was 2019. But it's not.

Ask the PAC 10 about how stable conferences are

 

[NKSplitter]

Jesus H. Christ couldn’t increase donor levels
Stop it

He was able to turn 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men; so, if he wanted the AD job I'd be inclined to give him a try.

 

[NCPitt]

Yea, he was pretty brutal. Almost made it sound like we are bankrupt. Maybe they should have listened to me about the volleyball arena. I'm sure the fact that the arena killed a Pitt employee didnt help matters.

The idea that Lyke drove the financial bus off a bridge is a little nonsensical. She certainly does not have the approval authority for the big expenditures. She requests a budget and gets it approved. My guess, though, is that she included some forecasts for donations that failed to materialize.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Ask the PAC 10 about how stable conferences are

I'm referring to the part about Olympic facilities being a determining factor in conference destination. While we're on the PAC, ask Stanford about how their non-revenue sports got them in the BIG.

No sh*t the ACC is going to get ravaged.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

The idea that Lyke drove the financial bus off a bridge is a little nonsensical. She certainly does not have the approval authority for the big expenditures. She requests a budget and gets it approved. My guess, though, is that she included some forecasts for donations that failed to materialize.

Well sure, we can blame Chancellor Gallagher for approving her expenditures but that doesn't let Lyke off the hook. The new arena and the new lacrosse program were unnecessary expenses. And though I like seeing volleyball and 2 soccer programs win, those wins cost money and the 3 programs haven't developed a very large fanbase relatively speaking so Pitt fans show that they really dont care about the winning those programs do.

 

[pittdan77]

He said it's all from sources within the athletic dept. He's about as hesitant as they come to let any info fly, so I tend to believe him on this one. I do hear what you're saying about spending not being a bad thing. I just think the landscape has changed so much that it pays to be frugal with the non-NIL spending so you can find a way to get more funding into NIL. Syracuse, for instance, hired a dude who almost definitely isn't qualified to be a head coach... but he's more of an enthusiasm injector in the NIL era. We shall see how it works out.

I find "sources" to be a dubious hill to die on unless they're willing to go on the record but that's here nor there. Like I said, Vuk's sources were singing a different tune. Something changed.

I'm all for trying but I really think Pitt has a ceiling that is well below where it needs to be to keep up when it comes to football. Not just me that thinks that. Lots of season ticket holders I know are really down on where football will be in ten years.

 

[Las Panteras]

My guess, though, is that she included some forecasts for donations that failed to materialize.

Now we are getting to the core of this breakup.......

 

[CrazyPaco]

The idea that Lyke drove the financial bus off a bridge is a little nonsensical. She certainly does not have the approval authority for the big expenditures. She requests a budget and gets it approved. My guess, though, is that she included some forecasts for donations that failed to materialize.

That is very likely. But the university didn't have to sign of on a $240 million project that, frankly, has been slated for about 20 years in their master plan; yet it did sign off on it, and it was specifically stated it wasn't contingent on donor levels. Well here those donations are...and I guess the new chancellor is surprised Pitt's boosters aren't like Minnesota's apparently. Well, welcome to Pitt.

I'll tell you the concerning thing in Zeise's article was about how some in the AD thought the Pete's renovations were "extravagant". Uh, no, they are just playing catch up after falling behind. If that attitude is an indication of where things are heading, Pitt athletics is in major trouble. No matter what issues people had with Lyke, and I myself have criticized her multiple times, overall the athletic department has been operating like a major athletic department more so than at any time in its history.

Athletic facilities overhaul is decades over due, so just finish VH as a first class joint and be done with it and then direct all energies to NIL and the professionalization. Pitt needs the upgraded facilities too, and those who say then don't whether inside the AD or not, are delusional. The university just needs to suck it up, because sorry, the $150 renovation to Hillman wasn't necessary either (and is hated by the students), and also won't generate a dime of revenue either.

Here's the thing the university is going to have to wrap its head around...the budget designated for athletics is only going to have to increase and donations and revenues are not going to increase proportionately. If Pitt wants to continue in big boy athletics, the university is just going to have to carve out a larger portion of the university budget every year because Pitt's athletic department never has, and never will, come close to covering its own expenses. Start planning for more subsidies to athletics now, a lot more, not less. It needs to be baked into future budgets.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I find "sources" to be a dubious hill to die on unless they're willing to go on the record but that's here nor there. Like I said, Vuk's sources were singing a different tune. Something changed.

I'm all for trying but I really think Pitt has a ceiling that is well below where it needs to be to keep up when it comes to football. Not just me that thinks that. Lots of season ticket holders I know are really down on where football will be in ten years.

We're mostly in agreement on that. I just want to compete against the fellow ACC nincompoops for the time being, ha.

There might be a glimmer of hope, on a national level, if some of these talks of regulated NIL to accompany the revenue sharing model pan out. Until then, yeah - we're not even in the discussion. It's just about holding our own against ACC teams and finding a way to pull off the occasional 9-3. If you add a few more key players to this year's roster, for instance, I think that's something we could pull off against this schedule. The better teams of the BIG and SEC are out of sight and mind when it comes to Pitt, in my opinion.

 

[NCPitt]

Well sure, we can blame Chancellor Gallagher for approving her expenditures but that doesn't let Lyke off the hook. The new arena and the new lacrosse program were unnecessary expenses. And though I like seeing volleyball and 2 soccer programs win, those wins cost money and the 3 programs haven't developed a very large fanbase relatively speaking so Pitt fans show that they really dont care about the winning those programs do.

Then Gallagher could have said they were unnecessary. You can blame her for making the proposal, if she even did, but you can't blame her for the financial situation that was approved by her bosses.

Edit: Based on Paco's post just above, it seems that you can't even blame her for the proposal since it was in the plans for 20 years.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Then Gallagher could have said they were unnecessary. You can blame her for making the proposal, if she even did, but you can't blame her for the financial situation that was approved by her bosses.

Edit: Based on Paco's post just above, it seems that you can't even blame her for the proposal since it was in the plans for 20 years.

I doubt a new volleyball arena was in the 20 year master plan. Perhaps something more vague like "upgrades to Olympics sports facilities." Also, a master plan is a wish list. Not everything gets done.

And I blame both of them. Lyke for the idea, Gallagher for signing off.

 

[NCPitt]

That is very likely. But the university didn't have to sign of on a $240 million project that, frankly, has been slated for about 20 years in their master plan; yet it did sign off on it, and it was specifically stated it wasn't contingent on donor levels. Well here those donations are...and I guess the new chancellor is surprised Pitt's boosters aren't like Minnesota's apparently. Well, welcome to Pitt.

I'll tell you the concerning thing in Zeise's article was about how some in the AD thought the Pete's renovations were "extravagant". Uh, no, they are just playing catch up after falling behind. If that attitude is an indication of where things are heading, Pitt athletics is in major trouble. No matter what issues people had with Lyke, and I myself have criticized her multiple times, overall the athletic department has been operating like a major athletic department more so than at any time in its history.

Athletic facilities overhaul is decades over due, so just finish VH as a first class joint and be done with it and then direct all energies to NIL and the professionalization. Pitt needs the upgraded facilities too, and those who say then don't whether inside the AD or not, are delusional. The university just needs to suck it up, because sorry, the $150 renovation to Hillman wasn't necessary either (and is hated by the students), and also won't generate a dime of revenue either.

Here's the thing the university is going to have to wrap its head around...the budget designated for athletics is only going to have to increase and donations and revenues are not going to increase proportionately. If Pitt wants to continue in big boy athletics, the university is just going to have to carve out a larger portion of the university budget every year because Pitt's athletic department never has, and never will, come close to covering its own expenses. Start planning for more subsidies to athletics now, a lot more, not less. It needs to be baked into future budgets.

Most of the time I worked for Shell, I worked in forecasting models for investments in new projects, e.g., refineries, retail sites, etc. Any organization that makes these long-term investments must recognize the ongoing costs to maintain and update them over their life. The same is true of a school's investment in athletics. There will be annual maintenance and periodic upgrades costs that must be accounted for. Otherwise, that school would fall behind competitors just as Shell would.

 

[NCPitt]

I doubt a new volleyball arena was in the 20 year master plan. Perhaps something more vague like "upgrades to Olympics sports facilities." Also, a master plan is a wish list. Not everything gets done.

And I blame both of them. Lyke for the idea, Gallagher for signing off.

Victory Heights was in the plan, so it wasn't Lyke's idea.

As usual, because you don't like something, it must not be true. Your schtick really gets tiresome.

 

[Joe Magarac]

I didn't like her kicking Dior off the team after he was allowed back. Even if she viewed that as a mistake, I dont think she had the right to correct that mistake because you are messing with a kid's life. I think that was Strike 1 against Heather though.

I dont mind this move to find a new AD. To me, this shows that she realizes we have 2 pro teams and we need something different in that position. We need to figure out how to get our players paid, raise money, generate revenue, and win in those 2 sports.

Agree wholeheartedly with your second paragraph.
It will be interesting to see how the money will be raised for the $$$$.
The tight fisted yinzers will never change their behavior. They’ve been getting the “ milk for free” their entire lives, so, let the rich whales pay the freight so I can see the show and become a critic and complain about the results.
Sure, Pitt has played “Lucy” many times to the Pitt fans’ “ Charlie Brown” and that reasoning will never change.
The new Pitt AD must seek other revenue streams, and that will be a challenge.
One thing the new Pitt AD should not do is ask the yinzers for their help. It’s a lost cause. Focus your efforts on others who may want to contribute. As Al Neri once said…. “ difficult, not impossible”.

 

[303vND]

He said it's all from sources within the athletic dept. He's about as hesitant as they come to let any info fly, so I tend to believe him on this one. I do hear what you're saying about spending not being a bad thing. I just think the landscape has changed so much that it pays to be frugal with the non-NIL spending so you can find a way to get more funding into NIL. Syracuse, for instance, hired a dude who almost definitely isn't qualified to be a head coach... but he's more of an enthusiasm injector in the NIL era. We shall see how it works out.

What makes him not qualified?

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

What makes him not qualified?

P4 position coach to P4 head coach is not common.

It's usually:

1) G5 head coach to P4 head coach

2) P4 coordinator to P4 head coach

3) P4 head coach to P4 head coach

You wouldn't find it odd if Tim Daoust was hired to be the head coach at Texas Tech next year? That just seems like a big leap. Or, perhaps more aptly since he has the AHC title that Fran Brown used to have, if Corey Sanders was hired to be the head coach at Boston College? Just seems like being a coordinator or G5 coach is the next step in the progression for a position coach.

 

[303vND]

P4 position coach to P4 head coach is not common.

It's usually:

1) G5 head coach to P4 head coach

2) P4 coordinator to P4 head coach

3) P4 head coach to P4 head coach

You wouldn't find it odd if Tim Daoust was hired to be the head coach at Texas Tech next year? That just seems like a big leap. Or, perhaps more aptly since he has the AHC title that Fran Brown used to have, if Corey Sanders was hired to be the head coach at Boston College? Just seems like being a coordinator or G5 coach is the next step in the progression for a position coach.

That's old school thinking - people want leaders of men who can coach irrespective of where they were previously. And he was a position coach at the most successful program over the last several years - that's akin to being a coordinator at other schools.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

That's old school thinking - people want leaders of men who can coach irrespective of where they were previously. And he was a position coach at the most successful program over the last several years - that's akin to being a coordinator at other schools.

Well, that was my initial point. They didn't go the traditional route; they're trying something a little different in the NIL era (a leader more so than someone who climbed his way up the traditional ladder rungs).

And, though a bit unique, I'm not saying I'm necessarily opposed. I'm curious how it goes, in fact. I think there NIL could push a lot of old, comfortable coaches who actually do know a good amount about the game out. Because at some point, it's the Jimmies and Joes who matter.

 

[303vND]

Well, that was my initial point. They didn't go the traditional route; they're trying something a little different in the NIL era (a leader more so than someone who climbed his way up the traditional ladder rungs).

And, though a bit unique, I'm not saying I'm necessarily opposed. I'm curious how it goes, in fact. I think there NIL could push a lot of old, comfortable coaches who actually do know a good amount about the game out. Because at some point, it's the Jimmies and Joes who matter.

You said he wasn't qualified...that's different from not going the traditional route.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Although I'm sure there were a myriad of reasons, I wonder if Heather's decision to sell a premium home game to Ireland or the fact she HAD to due to our financial situation was part of the reason for Joan's decision. I dont think that decision got enough criticism. Perhaps we had no choice but to take the money but that's a big-time home game for Pitt. I dont think many Pitt fans would have complained if we sold a GT or BC home game but Wisky in Pgh would have been fun. That decision was so bizarre at the time but it makes more sense now if we are broke due to Heather's spending.

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

Honestly, I think she was using those interviews to leverage an extension. She did it once before. Vuk's article probably had some truth to it but there might have still been disagreement over financial terms and Pitt just said F-it and walked away from the table.

Not knowing anything, I'll be shocked if there was really a disagreement over the "vision" of the university or anything like that. It's not like the school is going to dump even more money into the football program. That philosophy might just be the problem if they're running a large deficit because the returns just won't be there. I don't know. This might not go the way people want it to.

Knowing Pitt's history managing and growing athletics over the last 80 years, I'd say they have a 50% chance of getting it right and I'm being optimistic.