Final Thoughts for Former Coach Dixon & Other Dribbles ...

[Pitt5593]

I'm not sure if I ever asked. I suppose you were able to find tickets the Villanova game when we were in Boston?

Lol. Pay $300 for a couple great seats to see one heckuva game. I think Villanova may have beat us. Jamie gave us a lot of great memories. What a class act. But life is about change and how you deal with change.

 

[Black Panther]

Many thanks to Coach Dixon for all he did. It's very sad to see him go after all these years.

 

[Zeldas Greenhouse]

It has been painful to go through the struggles of the team the past couple of years. I ran into Jamie during the Pitt-ND football game a couple of years back. We shook hands and I wished him good luck with the upcoming season. I was proud of the Pitt victory that night. I was even prouder of the fact that he was the basketball coach.

 

[freddietee511]

Well said, DT and everyone. I echo these sentiments and also find myself very emotional and sad that we have lost a great man as our coach and a man that was always humble, always did his best, and never asked for anything in return. TCU is very fortunate to have him as their coach. I wish him nothing but the best and am now an avid TCU hoops fan as long as he is there.

I had the good fortune to have Jamie as my neighbor when he bought his first house here in Pittsburgh right down the street from me. He was always so open, yet quiet, and never passed up the opportunity to stop his car when he saw me or my wife and kids out front in the driveway or when my wife and I would go running on our daily runs. He never failed to yell out the window at us with some empowering comments or to stop in front of my driveway to talk with the kids or the dog. His kids loved our dog and she loved them. His family, Jackie, the kids and his parents, were always ready to talk with us when we went for a walk. Of course, Jamie always found a way to chime in, if he was in town. He is all class and will be sorely missed around here.

Thank you Jamie, for everything you have done to make Pitt and this community so much better than when you arrived. You will never be forgotten.

That's the thing. It almost feels bad for us to be losing such a great guy. Even greater than the coach he is. And make no mistake, I have a feeling he will prove that. Have to wonder though. Does he wanna win a title? Does he care? I have a feeling that maybe Jamie is using TCU to rebuild his image, to maybe make a last run in the future with a higher brand school. IDK, I still don't consider his lack of tourney success a big deal. His teams gave us alot of fun, and for me, something to look forward to when I came home from school in my younger days. I certainly feel down about this.

 

[pantherzRock]

I wish Dixon the best. Had so many amazing memories thanks to him, especially that Big East tourament when Young blocked Hibbert in the final. That being said, things got stale quick. Im also not happy that he was speaking to TCU prior to the start of the tournament - clearly, his heart wasnt into it!

 

[NTOP]

I'm looking forward to the new coach and what's next for Pitt Hoops.

But at the moment (and while I wrote this), I started getting very sad, even emotional.

This has been a great 13 years, and all the memories are so rich.

I'll move on soon enough. But this has me more sad than I thought it would.

Life isn't fair. The cynic in me thinks there's more to it. Perhaps our new A.D.is more Ed Bozik than he appears?? I'll hold off anything further until we see who he hires. The smart way is to have the next coach dialed in before the opening is official?? Dick & Billy next to go??

 

[cruzer]

** June 16, 2003

** That was the first time I met now "former Pitt Basketball Head Coach Jamie Dixon" personally.

** In the winter of that year, my organization had secured an appearance of then Head Coach Ben Howland to speak at the dinner of our charity Golf Outing. But in the spring, of course we had to go to “Plan B.”

** We re-followed our channels to see if his successor would honor Howland’s commitment. And the new Head Coach, who hadn’t yet been offered many speaking engagements, readily accepted.

** When I met with the freshly named Coach before he was to speak, he was holding some of the notes I had prepared for him – which included some contrived and perhaps awkward thoughts attempting to connect Pitt Hoops to our organizations’ mission. Politely he asked, “do you want me to talk about this? Maybe it would be better if I just talked about next year’s team.” I readily agreed that his was the better plan.

** He certainly wasn’t much of a polished speaker then, which was one of his first events appearing in this capacity. But he filled the bill nicely enough.

** After the success of the 31-win 2003-2004 season, the event committee thought it would be perfect to ask him back to speak at dinner once again. Once again, he readily accepted.

** About two weeks before the outing, I was in my office on a Saturday afternoon to catch up on some work in preparation for the event when my phone rang.

** When I answered, a slightly surprised voice said to me: “Umm Dave? It’s Jamie ... ummm ... Jamie Dixon." He asked, “What are you are you doing there on a Saturday?” I replied, “I’m getting ready for the golf event. But what are you doing calling me?” I asked. “I have the names for my foresome, but I figured I’d just leave the names on your voice mail.” I wondered to him, “Don’t you have someone who can this for you?” He just laughed.

** At the event when I met with him just before he was to speak , he asked if there was anything I wanted him to cover this time. I suggested, “maybe you can give some thoughts to those of us worried about how we’re going to replace Jaron Brown.” “I’m one of those who is worried about how we're going to replace Jaron!” he replied.

** But for this appearance, Dixon was much more comfortable and started by saying, “I was glad to speak here last year, and I guess the season went well enough that you guys asked me back. I just hope I don’t have to win 32 games next year to speak again next year.” The joked worked well!

** I had the pleasure I speaking with Jamie Dixon many, many more times over the next 12 years and each of those encounters left me with the same impression that I gathered from the first few.

** Jamie Dixon is a man who never owned the “Rock Star Ego” often found in so many Head Coaches at this level. He was a man always committed to every part of the job, and never considered himself above the process of getting it done himself. He wanted things done right, which by several definitions, was always the right way. Because of his dedication to the details of his duty, he likely wasn’t fond of the second guessing that comes with his profession. Maybe a bigger ego would have served him well in that he might not have cared so much. Regardless, as I see it, that’s Jamie Dixon.

** And because of Jamie Dixon, the last 13 years for this fan have been mostly glorious, sometimes heartbreaking, but always extremely interesting and entertaining. Before Dixon came to Pittsburgh, few even cared enough argue about Pitt Hoops. When he left, polarized as they were, many, many more had an opinion. For this, as a fan, I will always be extremely grateful for Dixon.

** As glad as I was to get to know Dixon the Man while he was here, I must be honest. So much more of my gratitude was because of Dixon the Coach.

** Because of Dixon the Coach, my memories of winning Panther Basketball grew well beyond what I would have ever expected to be possible in the days of watching teams struggle in the Fitzgerald Field House.

** Because of Dixon the Coach, I can think of the games we watched and trips my family took together over the last 13 years to see the Panthers play with the highest of expectations.

** Coaches don’t usually last at College Hoops programs for 13 years. Usually, they don’t have enough success to stay around that long. Certainly not at Pitt. But Jamie Dixon proved this possible.

** That’s how I hope all Pitt Fans will remember Dixon. I hope that they will remember that among the heartbreaks and frustrations, he brought unprecedented success to the Pitt Basketball over a long period of time.

** On top of it, we all knew Dixon wanted to do things above board, perhaps even to the extent that it may have cost him the very highest level of success. Winning is great. But winning with integrity is greater.

** But all good things, and even great things, must come to an end.

** On the shuttle to the Lahina Civic Center in November 2014, Jackie Dixon just happened to sit behind me. We had a nice conversation about our kids and what it’s like for her being the wife of a College Basketball Coach. On the way out, I was quite surprised when she said to me. “It’s going to be a tough year.”

** When coaching against Chaminade over the next two hours, Jamie Dixon appeared to be pouring more into coaching that team than at any time previously. He clearly knew then what once had come more easily now was going to be hard. Still, over the last two years, Dixon gave everything he had to his basketball team. Perhaps he even gave more than he had to give.

** Two days ago, I remarked, “I still believe the best chance to get the program back to where it was is using the abilities of the man who put it there in the first place.”

** Two days later, for whatever reason, it became clear that same man longer believed the same. That’s when it’s time to go.

** Someone I know who knows Dixon well has said to me many times. “Jamie is a creature of habit.” I can only imagine how hard it would be for a creature of habit such as Dixon decide this was a move he needed to make. But this makes me all the more certain this was the right move at the right time in the right way for all.

** Just before Jamie Dixon was named as the Head Coach of the Pitt Hoops program, there was real uncertainty that any Coach could do much at all with the brief run of success started by Ben Howland.

** March 21, 2016 is the end of the Jamie Dixon era of Pitt Basketball. On this day, we look forward to seeing how a new Head Coach can continue the success we’ve enjoyed for an incredibly long time. And we now know it’s not that much further to the top because of the work and passion of our former Head Coach.

** Thank you, Jamie Dixon.

DT: Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you completely in terms of what kind of a person Jamie is. I'll share my own personal Jamie experience.

A few years back, our San Francisco Pitt Alumni Club was planning our annual golf tournament and awards dinner. We were thinking about who we could ask to come out to speak at the event. On a lark, I suggested we call Jamie to see if he would come out. Everyone snickered but agreed it was worth a shot. I called Dixon's office the next day....Got an admin and she took a message about our tournament and request to have him speak. A few days went by and frankly, I more or less forgot about the invitation since I hadn't heard back. Later that week I'm having lunch and I get a call from a number I don't recognize. I answer and the person on the other end says "This is Jamie Dixon calling" I have a buddy who knows we invited Dixon who is a real ball buster, so I assume it's him pulling my chain. I answer "sure it is" and hang up. Seriously. About 5 minutes later, the same number calls back and asks for me by name and mentions the San Francisco Pitt Club and explains it's Jamie Dixon. I'm mortified realizing that I had hung up on Coach Dixon. After apologizing profusely, I explain the situation, what we need, and the dates. Jamie says, "I have a coaching event in Phoenix the day before your event, but I can make it. So we book Jamie. It turns out that Jamie didn't arrive in SFO until late afternoon on the day of the event. He rents a car and drives 90 minutes to Napa (which is where the event was located), breezes in, talks to virtually all the alumni, delivers his speech, and then leaves before he even has time to eat because he has a red eye to catch back to Pittsburgh. Everyone is completely blown away that he even showed up. What major college basketball coach would:

1. Return his own call to some alumnus he doesn't even know?
2. Return his call again after being hung up on?
3. Fly 3 hours to an airport, rent a car, drive 90 minutes, and deliver a speech and then turn right around and take the red eye home?

Simply amazing. I'm not qualified to judge Jamie the coach, but Jamie the man impressed the hell out of me. I wish him nothing but success and happiness at his new position.

Cruzer

 

[drunkinoakland]

Life isn't fair. The cynic in me thinks there's more to it. Perhaps our new A.D.is more Ed Bozik than he appears?? I'll hold off anything further until we see who he hires. The smart way is to have the next coach dialed in before the opening is official?? Dick & Billy next to go??

Don't poison the well.

 

[DT_PITT]

DT: Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you completely in terms of what kind of a person Jamie is. I'll share my own personal Jamie experience.

A few years back, our San Francisco Pitt Alumni Club was planning our annual golf tournament and awards dinner. We were thinking about who we could ask to come out to speak at the event. On a lark, I suggested we call Jamie to see if he would come out. Everyone snickered but agreed it was worth a shot. I called Dixon's office the next day....Got an admin and she took a message about our tournament and request to have him speak. A few days went by and frankly, I more or less forgot about the invitation since I hadn't heard back. Later that week I'm having lunch and I get a call from a number I don't recognize. I answer and the person on the other end says "This is Jamie Dixon calling" I have a buddy who knows we invited Dixon who is a real ball buster, so I assume it's him pulling my chain. I answer "sure it is" and hang up. Seriously. About 5 minutes later, the same number calls back and asks for me by name and mentions the San Francisco Pitt Club and explains it's Jamie Dixon. I'm mortified realizing that I had hung up on Coach Dixon. After apologizing profusely, I explain the situation, what we need, and the dates. Jamie says, "I have a coaching event in Phoenix the day before your event, but I can make it. So we book Jamie. It turns out that Jamie didn't arrive in SFO until late afternoon on the day of the event. He rents a car and drives 90 minutes to Napa (which is where the event was located), breezes in, talks to virtually all the alumni, delivers his speech, and then leaves before he even has time to eat because he has a red eye to catch back to Pittsburgh. Everyone is completely blown away that he even showed up. What major college basketball coach would:

1. Return his own call to some alumnus he doesn't even know?
2. Return his call again after being hung up on?
3. Fly 3 hours to an airport, rent a car, drive 90 minutes, and deliver a speech and then turn right around and take the red eye home?

Simply amazing. I'm not qualified to judge Jamie the coach, but Jamie the man impressed the hell out of me. I wish him nothing but success and happiness at his new position.

Cruzer

Thanks for adding your story.

 

[DT_PITT]

Don't poison the well.

Seriously!!

 

[drunkinoakland]

Seriously!!

Not sure if I'm catching the correct context of this response....

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

 

[MrGee]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

Next thing you know they'll all be kneeling on Jamie's lawn lighting candles

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

Of all the jagoff things you have posted over the years, this takes the cake.

 

[DT_PITT]

Not sure if I'm catching the correct context of this response....

Just agreeing that this isn't the time/place to poison the well.

 

[DT_PITT]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

Not really. Not one post in this thread is saying they wished he hadn't gone or is really even saying that they wish he would say. Just appreciating the work he did here. No one wants to build statues.

The consensus is that Dixon leaving at this time and in this way was the best for all. Not Joebot like at all.

 

[DT_PITT]

Next thing you know they'll all be kneeling on Jamie's lawn lighting candles

Doesn't appear to me that anyone is saying anything close to this.

 

[vinniep33]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

With NTOP, Kiwi, Whirly, WBR, pitt-girl and Harve, just to mention a few, it is very similar to worship, on other threads. has anybody used the "witch hunt", BOT, or due process phrases? That would make it official. I digress.

Thanks Jamie for all you've done. I appreciated being at the BET championship. It was freaking awesome!!!!!!!! I'll never forget it. All the big home wins over top 10 teams. Incredible.

I appreciate your success igniting interest in Pitt hoops with my oldest daughter, something we will share for a lifetime.

You are a good man. I wish you and your family nothing but the best.

 

[UPitt129]

Guys,

This is starting to sound and feel a bit PennStatish and like the Joebots worshipping of everything Paterno. He's gone. He chose to go.

It is showing a ton of respect for a good coach and apparently a good man. I wouldn't have a problem with psu fans doing it for paterno either, except for the fact he hid a pedophile.

That was truly the most clueless thing you have posted here..right up there with you calling jrob a c.

 

[ratking17]

Those early years of the big East tournament are by far my favorite Dixon and pitt memories.

 

[thebadby2]

Not really. Not one post in this thread is saying they wished he hadn't gone or is really even saying that they wish he would say. Just appreciating the work he did here. No one wants to build statues.

The consensus is that Dixon leaving at this time and in this way was the best for all. Not Joebot like at all.

Well in fairness DT, one prominent poster has already stated that he doesn't care what happens to Pitt basketball now, he only wants to see Dixon flourish at TCU. That poster has lost a lot of hard-earned credibility of late, and has really revealed himself to be a sanctimonious sort. He obviously believes in the coach over the school. He is not alone in his beliefs. To me, that warrants fair comparison to the cultish-PSU types.

All reasonable Pitt fans appreciate Dixon for what he did here, owe him (along with Ben Howland, without whom there would be no Jamie Dixon) a debt of gratitude, and wish him the best. They also recognize that the past few years have been a big letdown, and that is squarely on the head coach--there is nobody else to blame. Things weren't about to change for the better anytime soon--what JD was doing was not working---so just maybe this is the best outcome for all involved. Unfortunately, there are unreasonable types at both edges of every issue.

 

[DT_PITT]

Well in fairness DT, one prominent poster has already stated that he doesn't care what happens to Pitt basketball now, he only wants to see Dixon flourish at TCU. That poster has lost a lot of hard-earned credibility of late, and has really revealed himself to be a sanctimonious sort. He obviously believes in the coach over the school. He is not alone in his beliefs. To me, that warrants fair comparison to the cultish-PSU types.

All reasonable Pitt fans appreciate Dixon for what he did here, owe him (along with Ben Howland, without whom there would be no Jamie Dixon) a debt of gratitude, and wish him the best. They also recognize that the past few years have been a big letdown, and that is squarely on the head coach--there is nobody else to blame. Things weren't about to change for the better anytime soon--what JD was doing was not working---so just maybe this is the best outcome for all involved. Unfortunately, there are unreasonable types at both edges of every issue.

OK, but if you are referring to who I think you are, that poster doesn't have a worship of Dixon -- just a real disdain for the Millers.

I'll really miss Dixon. And 13 years is many memories.

But at this point, I'm really looking forward to getting the new coach named and learning how the roster will be affected etc.

Depending on what happens, even just next year we could take a step back with this change or even a big step forward.

Hopefully, soon we'll be able to start conversing about this.

 

[thebadby2]

OK, but if you are referring to who I think you are, that poster doesn't have a worship of Dixon -- just a real disdain for the Millers.

I'll really miss Dixon. And 13 years is many memories.

But at this point, I'm really looking forward to getting the new coach named and learning how the roster will be affected etc.

Depending on what happens, even just next year we could take a step back with this change or even a big step forward.

Hopefully, soon we'll be able to start conversing about this.

OK, but if you are referring to who I think you are, that poster doesn't have a worship of Dixon -- just a real disdain for the Millers.

Fair enough--I re-read that particular post. Still seems to be taking an unreasonable position on all of this--like we're more likely headed of the scrap heap than the Final Four because of this change, the fans and their crazy expectations drove the man out of town, etc--nonsense.

I'll miss the good days under Dixon, and he brought us all his fair share, but none of those has been within the past 5-6 years. I think the last time I was excited about Pitt basketball was Steve Adams' first year. It has been uninspired and middling ever since. Seems DIxon fels to as well.

 

[NTOP]

I wish Dixon the best. Had so many amazing memories thanks to him, especially that Big East tourament when Young blocked Hibbert in the final. That being said, things got stale quick. Im also not happy that he was speaking to TCU prior to the start of the tournament - clearly, his heart wasnt into it!

Perhaps he didn't like being told what to do?? Who knows...but we lost a great representative for Pitt.

 

[DT_PITT]

Well said, DT and everyone. I echo these sentiments and also find myself very emotional and sad that we have lost a great man as our coach and a man that was always humble, always did his best, and never asked for anything in return. TCU is very fortunate to have him as their coach. I wish him nothing but the best and am now an avid TCU hoops fan as long as he is there.

I had the good fortune to have Jamie as my neighbor when he bought his first house here in Pittsburgh right down the street from me. He was always so open, yet quiet, and never passed up the opportunity to stop his car when he saw me or my wife and kids out front in the driveway or when my wife and I would go running on our daily runs. He never failed to yell out the window at us with some empowering comments or to stop in front of my driveway to talk with the kids or the dog. His kids loved our dog and she loved them. His family, Jackie, the kids and his parents, were always ready to talk with us when we went for a walk. Of course, Jamie always found a way to chime in, if he was in town. He is all class and will be sorely missed around here.

Thank you Jamie, for everything you have done to make Pitt and this community so much better than when you arrived. You will never be forgotten.

Thank for sharing. Is their house up for sale yet? LOL

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

OK, but if you are referring to who I think you are, that poster doesn't have a worship of Dixon -- just a real disdain for the Millers.

Fair enough--I re-read that particular post. Still seems to be taking an unreasonable position on all of this--like we're more likely headed of the scrap heap than the Final Four because of this change, the fans and their crazy expectations drove the man out of town, etc--nonsense.

I'll miss the good days under Dixon, and he brought us all his fair share, but none of those has been within the past 5-6 years. I think the last time I was excited about Pitt basketball was Steve Adams' first year. It has been uninspired and middling ever since. Seems DIxon fels to as well.

That is exactly what I am talking when I am comparing the Joebot like comments by some. Jamie left on his own. He did fine here. He was a good guy. And he was compensated well about what 99.5% of this board, if not 100% will ever be compensated.

Again, to the Jamie defenders/Pitt fan and current Administration critics, what did you want, Pitt to give him another raise and extension.

Jamie seen the handwriting of the wall, he doesn't think he can do any better than these past few years here, he is compensated to do better and he doesn't want the new boss to tell him what he should do schedule wise (to help attendance) and assistant wise (you know to possibly improve).

Some of you may call this ingratitude. I call that the boss doing his job.

 

[bobfree]

Dixon: give me raises when I'm Doing well.

But don't you dare interfer when I'm not.

Seemed like an honorable good guy.

And if another honorable good guy like DT likes him and respects that means something to me.

But, like most of us he was loyal to his employer Pitt when it Benefitted him and wasn't when it didn't.

 

[goodinsider]

I'm looking forward to the new coach and what's next for Pitt Hoops.

But at the moment (and while I wrote this), I started getting very sad, even emotional.

This has been a great 13 years, and all the memories are so rich.

I'll move on soon enough. But this has me more sad than I thought it would.

My honest truth believes this just may backfire for both... Hoping I am wrong... Life has a way of sobering thoughts of getting what you wish for... And there was a growing segment of those people... With all the s$&t we put up with on FB side you'd think people would learn, but no they don't...

We lost a man of great integrity... Proudly worked his ass off and in the end could no longer find the joy he once had for Pitt and the program... That's when it's time to go... But the move to TCU is more difficult than the one he left... I again hope I'm wrong, but that's a tough gig... But I wish him well and truly hope he succeeds...

As for Pitt... I rally wonder who is going to come and satisfy our ridiculous fan base... At times you'd think we were Kentucky or UNC... The way people act and stumble around with their negativity... I know for a fact this wore on JD in recent seasons... Some warranted and a lot not really... My only saving grace is for some reason I have faith in Gallagher and Barnes... Hoping I'm right to think such... But reality is this job may not be as appealing or great as people think... Maybe 5-6 years ago at our peak but not now.... Lack of local recruiting.. Tough conference... And an outsider to boot... Pitt had finally earned stripes and respect in BEC only to be removed and start over in ACC... You see regularly in FB and BB we are treated like step children... It will take 10 plus years to get back where we were in BEC in the ACC or maybe longer... Hope again I'm wrong...

Finally... We really could use good news and a fresh start... Hoping Pitt Admin can deliver... Regardless the new HC will have his hands full... That's why we need someone proven with some success... But in end he'll have huge shoes to fill and an enormous opportunity in one... That requires a tough minded, confident leader, and a strong personality... Based on list of names seen... I have my doubts... Miller was all those things... We may never no what spooked him but it was closer than many really know... Oh well on to Plan B... Well at least the haters can be happy for a moment... Neah, they'll always be miserable sob's... Regardless what guy slips into our coaches shoes!

Hail to PITT!