Ignorant fanbase, thin skinned coach

[JS School]

That's not a good match.

I've always been one of Dixon's biggest supporters, but that's not to say I'm unaware of his weaknesses. I have no problem with his record. The first eight years were great, the last five have been disappointing but only in the context of following the previous eight. If they had occurred from 2000-2005 most Pitt fans would be pretty well pleased. As far as the NCAAs, the Villanova and Butler losses could have happened to just about any coach.

I also had no problem with his pay increases. If he is in demand then he is entitled to take advantage of that. What always bothered me was that his flirtations were always made public. Not being familiar with public relations I'm not sure if it was possible to keep those things quiet, but I always assumed other top coaches receive job offers that we never hear about. Maybe Dixon could have privately negotiated his raises, but he always seemed like he had to prove that he was wanted elsewhere. He seemed like an insecure girlfriend who always had to flirt with other guys to prove she was desirable.

With marriage (the extension and buyout) I figured the flirtations would come to an end. But it appears divorce may be a possibility.

Losing a coach that has taken a program like to Pitt to 11 NCAAs in 13 years is not a good thing. I always figured that if he got there nearly every year, eventually good things would happen. If the criticism does bother him that much, however, maybe it is best to part ways.

 

[PittPoker]

That's not a good match.

I've always been one of Dixon's biggest supporters, but that's not to say I'm unaware of his weaknesses. I have no problem with his record. The first eight years were great, the last five have been disappointing but only in the context of following the previous eight. If they had occurred from 2000-2005 most Pitt fans would be pretty well pleased. As far as the NCAAs, the Villanova and Butler losses could have happened to just about any coach.

I also had no problem with his pay increases. If he is in demand then he is entitled to take advantage of that. What always bothered me was that his flirtations were always made public. Not being familiar with public relations I'm not sure if it was possible to keep those things quiet, but I always assumed other top coaches receive job offers that we never hear about. Maybe Dixon could have privately negotiated his raises, but he always seemed like he had to prove that he was wanted elsewhere. He seemed like an insecure girlfriend who always had to flirt with other guys to prove she was desirable.

With marriage (the extension and buyout) I figured the flirtations would come to an end. But it appears divorce may be a possibility.

Losing a coach that has taken a program like to Pitt to 11 NCAAs in 13 years is not a good thing. I always figured that if he got there nearly every year, eventually good things would happen. If the criticism does bother him that much, however, maybe it is best to part ways.

So why are we an ignorant fanbase? He wants to leave obviously, the past 5 years have been disappointing, no improvement in recruiting and he coached the Wisconsin game like he was a 1st year inexperienced guy way over his head.

We as fans aren't ignorant, we are realistic and we recognize that Jamie is not making this program better anymore.

 

[Piranha]

So why are we an ignorant fanbase? He wants to leave obviously, the past 5 years have been disappointing, no improvement in recruiting and he coached the Wisconsin game like he was a 1st year inexperienced guy way over his head.

We as fans aren't ignorant, we are realistic and we recognize that Jamie is not making this program better anymore.

Right - I guess almost every other fanbase is ignorant as well then.

 

[KiwiJeff]

So why are we an ignorant fanbase? He wants to leave obviously, the past 5 years have been disappointing, no improvement in recruiting and he coached the Wisconsin game like he was a 1st year inexperienced guy way over his head.

We as fans aren't ignorant, we are realistic and we recognize that Jamie is not making this program better anymore.

Realistic is not a word I would use to define many posters on here. That's just my opinion.

 

[TheMadStork]

I don't know if it's just hurt feelings on Jamie's part or being thin skinned. If DT is right, there's a small group of powerful boosters who want him to leave. I'm not sure about his other flirtations but maybe this time there's more to it than being upset about bad press or angry fans, or needing to feel the love.

 

[ratking17]

I am not going to name names because we all want the same thing which is pitt to win big.

But it is an ignorant statement to want our most successful coach ever to leave and then to hope/pray/get lucky in the subsequent hire. Some of you might be right and we find someone better and more successful. But it is just as likely that we hire someone not as successful.

 

[PittPoker]

I am not going to name names because we all want the same thing which is pitt to win big.

But it is an ignorant statement to want our most successful coach ever to leave and then to hope/pray/get lucky in the subsequent hire. Some of you might be right and we find someone better and more successful. But it is just as likely that we hire someone not as successful.

But this is a what have you done for me lately business ratking, and riding on a "1st 8 years record" is ridiculous. This is going on 6 years now of declining performance, declining attendance, declining recruiting and pretty questionable coaching decisions. And again, he has not performed well at all in March with rare exceptions.

So when your current recruiting class is ranked 74th and you are getting beat out at schools like Penn State for recruits, that kinda might signal that a change is necessary.

 

[paulbl99]

That's not a good match.

I've always been one of Dixon's biggest supporters, but that's not to say I'm unaware of his weaknesses. I have no problem with his record. The first eight years were great, the last five have been disappointing but only in the context of following the previous eight. If they had occurred from 2000-2005 most Pitt fans would be pretty well pleased. As far as the NCAAs, the Villanova and Butler losses could have happened to just about any coach.

I also had no problem with his pay increases. If he is in demand then he is entitled to take advantage of that. What always bothered me was that his flirtations were always made public. Not being familiar with public relations I'm not sure if it was possible to keep those things quiet, but I always assumed other top coaches receive job offers that we never hear about. Maybe Dixon could have privately negotiated his raises, but he always seemed like he had to prove that he was wanted elsewhere. He seemed like an insecure girlfriend who always had to flirt with other guys to prove she was desirable.

With marriage (the extension and buyout) I figured the flirtations would come to an end. But it appears divorce may be a possibility.

Losing a coach that has taken a program like to Pitt to 11 NCAAs in 13 years is not a good thing. I always figured that if he got there nearly every year, eventually good things would happen. If the criticism does bother him that much, however, maybe it is best to part ways.

It can't be fan base unless you mean crowds dropping off at Pete
It can't be junk like Rossi wrote

It's either he just hates the ACC or isn't on board with Barnes ...
Jmo

 

[ratking17]

But this is a what have you done for me lately business ratking, and riding on a "1st 8 years record" is ridiculous. This is going on 6 years now of declining performance, declining attendance, declining recruiting and pretty questionable coaching decisions. And again, he has performed well at all in March with rare exceptions.

So when your current recruiting class is ranked 74th and you are getting beat out at schools like Penn State for recruits, that kinda might signal that a change is necessary.

Listen, I get where you stand on the issue. When pitt loses I can expect lots of anti-Dixon posts from you and a select few. I actually have no problem with it. I get mad too. I just think any fan excited for his exit is extremely myopic. If Adams sticks around for his sophomore year, are we even having this conversation. If nas doesn't commit the worst foul in history are we having this conversation. If scottie Reynolds. ..well you get the point.

Poker, I am with you on one point though. You should be measured by your March record and no doubt we have underperformed there.

 

[PittPoker]

Listen, I get where you stand on the issue. When pitt loses I can expect lots of anti-Dixon posts from you and a select few. I actually have no problem with it. I get mad too. I just think any fan excited for his exit is extremely myopic. If Adams sticks around for his sophomore year, are we even having this conversation. If nas doesn't commit the worst foul in history are we having this conversation. If scottie Reynolds. ..well you get the point.

Poker, I am with you on one point though. You should be measured by your March record and no doubt we have underperformed there.

That Wisconsin team we played on Friday was about as easy a team to beat on that given night that we have ever had in the tournament and we still lost. We scored 43 points, 43 points!! There is just no excuse for that. And yes part of it was the awful game by Robinson but a big part of it was what Jamie did. Playing grad stiffs for 30 minutes, needing offense and leaving our best bench player on the bench nearly the whole game, etc...

That has expedited a lot of fans clamoring for Jamie to leave and it's hard to blame them.

 

[ratking17]

That Wisconsin team we played on Friday was about as easy a team to beat on that given night that we have ever had in the tournament and we still lost. We scored 43 points, 43 points!! There is just no excuse for that. And yes part of it was the awful game by Robinson but a big part of it was what Jamie did. Playing grad stiffs for 30 minutes, needing offense and leaving our best bench player on the bench nearly the whole game, etc...

That has expedited a lot of fans clamoring for Jamie to leave and it's hard to blame them.

What's has that easy Wisconsin done in the tourney recently? Maybe we didn't give that team enough credit. Just saying...

(Your point on the game management is absolutely appropriate as I agree with you here. That said should he be judged on one game?)

 

[Fsgolfdr]

So why are we an ignorant fanbase? He wants to leave obviously, the past 5 years have been disappointing, no improvement in recruiting and he coached the Wisconsin game like he was a 1st year inexperienced guy way over his head.

We as fans aren't ignorant, we are realistic and we recognize that Jamie is not making this program better anymore.

We don't know that he wants to leave ,but we all know is that you want him to leave!

 

[UPitt129]

But this is a what have you done for me lately business ratking, and riding on a "1st 8 years record" is ridiculous. This is going on 6 years now of declining performance, declining attendance, declining recruiting and pretty questionable coaching decisions. And again, he has not performed well at all in March with rare exceptions.

So when your current recruiting class is ranked 74th and you are getting beat out at schools like Penn State for recruits, that kinda might signal that a change is necessary.

Recruiting? You realize pitt has still made the tourney 3 of the last 4 years, and the year they missed they were only 2 or 3 wins away from making it?

Then you pimp Psu?

 

[PittPoker]

What's has that easy Wisconsin done in the tourney recently? Maybe we didn't give that team enough credit. Just saying...

(Your point on the game management is absolutely appropriate as I agree with you here. That said should he be judged on one game?)

No I mean on that night when we played them they were horrible. 16 points in the 1st half and we should have easily beaten them. Obviously they are better than how they played Friday but that was a game Pitt should have won.

As for your 1 game judge question - I think people including me are using that as the icing on the cake, the final straw of 5 years of decline. Fair or not, his game management/coaching on Friday was shocking, made zero sense and was inexcusable.

 

[PittPoker]

Recruiting? You realize pitt has still made the tourney 3 of the last 4 years, and the year they missed they were only 2 or 3 wins away from making it?

Then you pimp Psu?

Only?? Yeah I was only 5 numbers away from winning the powerball.

 

[DT_PITT]

That's not a good match.

I've always been one of Dixon's biggest supporters, but that's not to say I'm unaware of his weaknesses. I have no problem with his record. The first eight years were great, the last five have been disappointing but only in the context of following the previous eight. If they had occurred from 2000-2005 most Pitt fans would be pretty well pleased. As far as the NCAAs, the Villanova and Butler losses could have happened to just about any coach.

I also had no problem with his pay increases. If he is in demand then he is entitled to take advantage of that. What always bothered me was that his flirtations were always made public. Not being familiar with public relations I'm not sure if it was possible to keep those things quiet, but I always assumed other top coaches receive job offers that we never hear about. Maybe Dixon could have privately negotiated his raises, but he always seemed like he had to prove that he was wanted elsewhere. He seemed like an insecure girlfriend who always had to flirt with other guys to prove she was desirable.

With marriage (the extension and buyout) I figured the flirtations would come to an end. But it appears divorce may be a possibility.

Losing a coach that has taken a program like to Pitt to 11 NCAAs in 13 years is not a good thing. I always figured that if he got there nearly every year, eventually good things would happen. If the criticism does bother him that much, however, maybe it is best to part ways.

Not all of his flirtations were made public, but in some cases, it was not Dixon's doing at all that they were made public.

 

[UPitt129]

No I mean on that night when we played them they were horrible. 16 points in the 1st half and we should have easily beaten them. Obviously they are better than how they played Friday but that was a game Pitt should have won.

As for your 1 game judge question - I think people including me are using that as the icing on the cake, the final straw of 5 years of decline. Fair or not, his game management/coaching on Friday was shocking, made zero sense and was inexcusable.

Don't be disingenuous . You have wanted Dixon gone for about 3 years now. It wasn't icing on the cake at all.

 

[JS School]

I don't know if it's just hurt feelings on Jamie's part or being thin skinned. If DT is right, there's a small group of powerful boosters who want him to leave. I'm not sure about his other flirtations but maybe this time there's more to it than being upset about bad press or angry fans, or needing to feel the love.

I was unaware of this story about the boosters. If true, my opinion of him being thin skinned may be incorrect. I thought it was just media talking heads and message board posters, which I couldn't believe most coaches of his stature would pay much attention to.

 

[UPitt129]

Only?? Yeah I was only 5 numbers away from winning the powerball.

Oh, great comparison there!

And you wonder why people question your ability to think rationally?

 

[DT_PITT]

That Wisconsin team we played on Friday was about as easy a team to beat on that given night that we have ever had in the tournament and we still lost. We scored 43 points, 43 points!! There is just no excuse for that. And yes part of it was the awful game by Robinson but a big part of it was what Jamie did. Playing grad stiffs for 30 minutes, needing offense and leaving our best bench player on the bench nearly the whole game, etc...

That has expedited a lot of fans clamoring for Jamie to leave and it's hard to blame them.

Xavier should have beaten Wisky too. Because of this, I am certain we cannot hire Chris Mack.

 

[PittPoker]

Xavier should have beaten Wisky too. Because of this, I am certain we cannot hire Chris Mack.

Wisconsin didn't score 16 points in the 1st half yesterday did they?

 

[DT_PITT]

Wisconsin didn't score 16 points in the 1st half yesterday did they?

Huh?

 

[PittPoker]

Huh?

I'm saying that the Wisconsin team we played on Friday for whatever reason was off, way off. They scored 16 points in the 1st half. And we still unbelievably lost to them. Xavier played a much more focused and better team yesterday.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Realistic is not a word I would use to define many posters on here. That's just my opinion.

I also wouldn't use the term "we" when talking about the Pitt fanbase. What PittPoker and others post on here is NOT what the Pitt fanbase is necessarily thinking or saying. Use of the term "we" by PittPoker when describing the Pitt fanbase is highly inaccurate.

 

[KiwiJeff]

I also wouldn't use the term "we" when talking about the Pitt fanbase. What PittPoker and others post on here is NOT what the Pitt fanbase is necessarily thinking or saying. Use of the term "we" by PittPoker when describing the Pitt fanbase is highly inaccurate.

True, extrapolating one's opinion to the whole fan base can be tricky for anyone, not just him. If we do end up stinking, I don't want any of these guys ever saying they miss Dixon, that would really irk me.

 

[PittPoker]

True, extrapolating one's opinion to the whole fan base can be tricky for anyone, not just him. If we do end up stinking, I don't want any of these guys ever saying they miss Dixon, that would really irk me.

Don't worry, that won't be an issue with me.

 

[UPitt129]

Don't worry, that won't be an issue with me.

I give you 4 conference games before you meltdown and blast the new coach.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

The other thing that irks me is the joy that some Pitt "fans" take in the possibility (slight at this moment) that Dixon might be leaving. That is an ignorant stand to take. How can anyone take joy in losing the best coach in any sport at Pitt? It will be interesting and entertaining to watch so many heads explode if Dixon says he is staying at Pitt.

 

[PittPoker]

The other thing that irks me is the joy that some Pitt "fans" take in the possibility (slight at this moment) that Dixon might be leaving. That is an ignorant stand to take. How can anyone take joy in losing the best coach in any sport at Pitt? It will be interesting and entertaining to watch so many heads explode if Dixon says he is staying at Pitt.

Oh just stop.

 

[UPitt129]

Oh just stop.

You have zero room to tell anyone to stop.

 

[steel_curtain]

The other thing that irks me is the joy that some Pitt "fans" take in the possibility (slight at this moment) that Dixon might be leaving. That is an ignorant stand to take. How can anyone take joy in losing the best coach in any sport at Pitt? It will be interesting and entertaining to watch so many heads explode if Dixon says he is staying at Pitt.

-Its quite easy. If Pitt athletics didnt care about Pitt basketball, there would have been zero point building a $159 million dollar basketball arena. Obviously the school cares and wants to win. You dont sink that type of money and investment into something if you do not expect to win, period.

-The problem is people are scared of loss without seeing the opportunity for better success. People are scared Dixon will leave without even acknowledging there could be an even better Coach that could take Pitt to great heights. I won't explode if Dixon stays another year, but I am on the fence with him. But if he doesn't start performing better starting next year or very soon, the boosters will run his ass right out of Pittsburgh.

 

[PittPoker]

You have zero room to tell anyone to stop.

Stop, just stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop.

 

[UPitt129]

Stop, just stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop.

I will if you stop!

 

[runshadyrun]

So why are we an ignorant fanbase? He wants to leave obviously, the past 5 years have been disappointing, no improvement in recruiting and he coached the Wisconsin game like he was a 1st year inexperienced guy way over his head.

We as fans aren't ignorant, we are realistic and we recognize that Jamie is not making this program better anymore.

The seeming apathy of some of the players and the, at times, lifeless stretch run, coupled with the poorly coached Wisconsin game reminds me of the end of, Ben when everybody knew he had one foot out the UCLA door by the time he left. Maybe Jamie already had a foot out the TCU door and the players knew it?

 

[CrazyPaco]

-Its quite easy. If Pitt athletics didnt care about Pitt basketball, there would have been zero point building a $159 million dollar basketball arena. Obviously the school cares and wants to win. You dont sink that type of money and investment into something if you do not expect to win, period.

The $159 million Pete ($159m is adjusted for inflation, it was $119 million in 2001 dollars) is actually three facilities rolled into one project: an arena/convocation center which Pitt desparately needed for more than just hoops and one it failed to get when it lost out on the Syria Mosque, a previously planned new student rec center, and a cold water chiller facility.

The state paid for $66 million of the $119 m of the project. At least another $10 million came from one donor. At least $6 million was for the replacement of a faulty original roof that was recouped through largely through lawsuits. Pitt's put in...max...maybe $37m for what is essentially a demolition project, three facilities and new steam lines. Given Pitt's financial wherewithal in 2000, that is both an unbelievable bargain and demonstrates significant fiscal savviness.

The Pete is not an example of Pitt's largesse or ability to throw cash at something, but rather the prior administrations ability to massage the existing political situations.

 

[steel_curtain]

The $159 million Pete ($159m is adjusted for inflation, it was $119 million in 2001 dollars) is actually three facilities rolled into one project: an arena/convocation center which Pitt desparately needed for more than just hoops and one it failed to get when it lost out on the Syria Mosque, a previously planned new student rec center, and a cold water chiller facility.

The state paid for $66 million of the $119 m of the project. At least another $10 million came from one donor. At least $6 million was for the replacement of a faulty original roof that was recouped through largely through lawsuits. Pitt's put in...max...maybe $37m for what is essentially a demolition project, three facilities and new steam lines. Given Pitt's financial wherewithal in 2000, that is both an unbelievable bargain and demonstrates significant fiscal savviness.

The Pete is not an example of Pitt's largesse or ability to throw cash at something, but rather the prior administrations ability to massage the existing political situations.

However you choose to look at it, that is the cost to complete it per dollar value today.

 

[CrazyPaco]

However you choose to look at it, that is the cost to complete it per dollar value today.

I look at it the exact way Pitt did, and the state did. The reality way.

 

[steel_curtain]

I look at it the exact way Pitt did, and the state did. The reality way.

Reality is the dollar value to complete today.

 

[Piranha]

Recruiting? You realize pitt has still made the tourney 3 of the last 4 years, and the year they missed they were only 2 or 3 wins away from making it?

Then you pimp Psu?

3 out of 5, and how many tournament wins? We are about the 50th best program over that span.

 

[UPitt129]

3 out of 5, and how many tournament wins? We are about the 50th best program over that span.

Paco posted the numbers, and wouldn't mind if he did again, because it shows we are better than people think...probably more like 30-40.