Is PITT's athletic department in turmoil or was this the new AD's plan?

[Joe the Panther Fan]

no plan to hire a proven D1 ACC caliber winner in the group!

Well one of your problems is that you appear to not understand where Pitt is in the current pecking order of college athletics. When schools like Pitt hire new coaches (football or basketball) or new ADs it is almost always one of two "types". You have the assistant coach/AD from one of the "big" programs (someone like Narduzzi), or you get someone in the top job from a school lower on the pecking order than you are (someone like Lyke). The hiring of Lyke or someone with a resume exactly like hers is exactly the sort of person that Pitt should be looking at in an AD hire. And the hiring of Stallings shows you why it is that way. Because the person from the top level school (not that Vanderbilt is even particularly a top level school) that is going to leave that position to come to Pitt is someone who is almost certainly carrying some sort of baggage with them. The AD at Michigan isn't leaving that job to come to Pitt, unless there is a problem. The head basketball coach at Kansas isn't leaving that job to come to Pitt, unless there is a problem. And why do you want someone who is having problems at their current school? When you hire someone like that you end up with a Kevin Stallings hire.

The notion that a "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" was going to leave that job to come to Pitt is laughable. The only way that was going to happen is if that "proven winner" was in trouble and about to be fired or was embroiled in some sort of scandal. Why on earth would you want someone like that at Pitt?

 

[LivinWell]

LOL! I love people like you!

Well jacka-s out being a Global Director of a 3 biil Fortune 500 company 3 of my top 5 people are women!
But they're competent, get it done, results oriented women!
If you can read revisit Lyke's wrestling hire train wreck! That was supposed to be an easy slam dunk!
Lyke will be gone before Stalling! You heard it here!
If you're able to write mark it down ! LOL!

Three billion is not Fortune 500 LOL! Market cap, maybe but not revenue. If market cap, your company isn't even in the S&P 500.

 

[counselor10]

God would struggle filling Heinz Field with Pitt fans. It is simply too big for Pitt.

I get that and would agree. With that said, all I am trying to say in the previous post is that I don't see in anyone's background where these AD's are driving ticket sales revenues at their perspective schools. Yes, development is one thing, I just think these AD's get recycled and because someone comes from in Lyke's case....worked at OSU and and took on a MAC program. I know, I get it we are not going to get the Alabama or Georgia AD to come here. Lot's of professional sports programs out there that have terrific CRO (Chief Revenue Officers) that fill stadiums up a lot and on consistent basis. I just don't see the marketing and plans to drive revenue. Let's face it, Narduzzi is the top guy in the athletic department. Lyke is a puppet when it comes to football. I run a major company and have never been called once to purchase tickets for the University of Pittsburgh. We can't keep relying on alumni to support our two major revenue programs. Be curious of the % of alumni/students vs other (businesses, families, etc). We all bitch and complain about not filling the stadium, which is a direct impact on recruiting, hiring solid coaches (and paying them competitive salaries) and so on. Why can't we be like other schools and draw better? Don't give me we have never filled the stadium, it's too big for Pitt and so on. Just a sorry excuse.

 

[ZetaZetaBeta]

Our AD Office is not running anything anymore. Chancellor and confidants are running sports. Like Uncle Wes did before the MNC of 1976 and the Pitt Hoop run with Clancy et al.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Three billion is not Fortune 500 LOL! Market cap, maybe but not revenue. If market cap, your company isn't even in the S&P 500.

That's the global product group / division of the company I work and have control over. The global co is much larger than that and in the Forture 500.

I report to the CEO of our division and a C suite person of the Corporation due to the nature of my expertise ( risk( entity/employee, compliance, SEC issues).

Nitpicker!

 

[BuffetParrothead]

For those who believe that the Athletics Department is in chaos, reeling, in turmoil... Do you believe that the Athletics Department was in great shape while Barnes was there? Do you believe that the status quo was working?

Personally we need new blood whenever possible. The "Pitt Way" doesn't seem to be working...

Ok so we now have "new blood" in Lyke.

Make me a list of the new programs or positive changes she's made for PITT athletics? Put the wrestling program hire on the Another PITT F Up List!

Football is just around the corner and basketball is just around the other corner and its the same old stuff still yet over and over again!

Lets see some new stuff!
A guy posted he runs a local co and never has heard from PITT about purchasing tickets?

We needed to "steal" a proven hot commodity AD from another school, pay up for the person ( male or female) and give them the flexibility to change PITT sports for the better.
Or we'll be the next CMU and sports will be an afterthought!

Instead we hire someone from EMU?????????????????

Lyke will be gone before Stalling!

 

[DiehardPanther]

Ok so we now have "new blood" in Lyke.

Make me a list of the new programs or positive changes she's made for PITT athletics? Put the wrestling program hire on the Another PITT F Up List!

Football is just around the corner and basketball is just around the other corner and its the same old stuff still yet over and over again!

Lets see some new stuff!
A guy posted he runs a local co and never has heard from PITT about purchasing tickets?

We needed to "steal" a proven hot commodity AD from another school, pay up for the person ( male or female) and give them the flexibility to change PITT sports for the better.
Or we'll be the next CMU and sports will be an afterthought!

Instead we hire someone from EMU?????????????????

Lyke will be gone before Stalling!

A loyal and devoted donor spent time with the new AD and disagrees with you. His name is Nish and he posted on the Olympic Board. He said Lyke is the real deal. Instead of sabotaging the new AD, you should try supporting her.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

A loyal and devoted donor spent time with the new AD and disagrees with you. His name is Nish and he posted on the Olympic Board. He said Lyke is the real deal. Instead of sabotaging the new AD, you should try supporting her.

I've read Nish's posts from on the wrestling board and being a former college wrestler most are straight shooters. But I think Nish's focus is the wrestling program?

Lyke has to give fans and donors something to go on for support?
So far since she's been here she has done next to nothing. fyiNish may sugar coat things but the wrestling hire wasn't handled well by Lyke!

We have three sets of football season tickets and we haven't heard a word from Lyke?

Lets see something and the wife and I will support her. My wife is a small business owner and is disappointed in Lyke's performance to date. Doing nothing or not communicating what you're doing doesn't gain support!

Support is earned ! Just like respect is earned!

So make a list of Lyke's accomplishments and post it?

Lyke should have come out with f/u announcements to her first day speech, upcoming events, plans, new programs for PITT athletics, methods to boost ticket sales, etc.

She should be telling all of us how lucky we are to be PITT fans and how excited we should be!
In addition to the face of PITT athletics she's also the "head cheerleader" all AD's are.

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

Lotta of anger here ~ chill

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Lotta of anger here ~ chill

"Get off my lawn kid"
Just kdding!
Anger is great emotion it forces action! Complacency doesn't ( lets finish the joint and get something to eat)?

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

Love can force action too. You have any brownies?

 

[ThePanthers]

We are Pitt fans, which means that we think that Pitt's administration sucks and is in dire need of an overhaul, and then when changes to the administration come we think that it's a sign that Pitt's administrators are incompetent idiots who don't know what they are doing.

Sure, that doesn't make any sense, but if you've read this board for a long time you know it's true.

Spot on!

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Love can force action too. You have any brownies?

If we don't get the basketball program moving soon one of your friends will say hey lets go eat at the new restaurant in Oakland its called The Pete and looks like an old basketball arena.
Kool they're supposed to have good brownies there?

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Spot on!

One liners are great but why don't you and Joe make a list of the accomplishments in sports that the "PITT new blood" Gallagher ( he makes sports decisions), Barnes, and Lyke are responsible for.
Joe The Panther Fan is at the park with his checker set no one wants to play with him so he's feeding the pigeons and has time.
Its gonna be a short list.
Don't forget the Stalling hire and Lyke's wrestling coach "firedrill."
Talk is cheap and so is lets support them even though they're no better than the past knuckleheads. Positive change will never happen at PITT with that thought process!
fyi-
When Lyke came out with KS to give the coach a vote of confidence her talk should have been more like:
We've decided on PITT basketball targets for the next xxx years and here they are-----------------. Coach Stallings agrees with these targets so come out, support the team, and be a part of this success. ( something like that)

Fans should read into this that KS has xxx years to turn things around or hes a goner!
Someone at PITT with Lyke should have completed a financial analysis indicating the KS "breakeven" point. Thats the point where a continued decline and loss of basketball revenue is greater than the KS buy-out.
I wonder if anyone in PITT athletics has completed this???????????

 

[pittmeister]

Well one of your problems is that you appear to not understand where Pitt is in the current pecking order of college athletics. When schools like Pitt hire new coaches (football or basketball) or new ADs it is almost always one of two "types". You have the assistant coach/AD from one of the "big" programs (someone like Narduzzi), or you get someone in the top job from a school lower on the pecking order than you are (someone like Lyke). The hiring of Lyke or someone with a resume exactly like hers is exactly the sort of person that Pitt should be looking at in an AD hire. And the hiring of Stallings shows you why it is that way. Because the person from the top level school (not that Vanderbilt is even particularly a top level school) that is going to leave that position to come to Pitt is someone who is almost certainly carrying some sort of baggage with them. The AD at Michigan isn't leaving that job to come to Pitt, unless there is a problem. The head basketball coach at Kansas isn't leaving that job to come to Pitt, unless there is a problem. And why do you want someone who is having problems at their current school? When you hire someone like that you end up with a Kevin Stallings hire.

The notion that a "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" was going to leave that job to come to Pitt is laughable. The only way that was going to happen is if that "proven winner" was in trouble and about to be fired or was embroiled in some sort of scandal. Why on earth would you want someone like that at Pitt?

BULLSEYE!

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

One liners are great but why don't you and Joe make a list of the accomplishments in sports that the "PITT new blood" Gallagher ( he makes sports decisions), Barnes, and Lyke are responsible for.
Joe The Panther Fan is at the park with his checker set no one wants to play with him so he's feeding the pigeons and has time.
Its gonna be a short list.
Don't forget the Stalling hire and Lyke's wrestling coach "firedrill."
Talk is cheap and so is lets support them even though they're no better than the past knuckleheads. Positive change will never happen at PITT with that thought process!
fyi-
When Lyke came out with KS to give the coach a vote of confidence her talk should have been more like:
We've decided on PITT basketball targets for the next xxx years and here they are-----------------. Coach Stallings agrees with these targets so come out, support the team, and be a part of this success. ( something like that)

Fans should read into this that KS has xxx years to turn things around or hes a goner!
Someone at PITT with Lyke should have completed a financial analysis indicating the KS "breakeven" point. Thats the point where a continued decline and loss of basketball revenue is greater than the KS buy-out.
I wonder if anyone in PITT athletics has completed this???????????

No matter how much you protest otherwise, everyone here knows that your problem with Lyke is that she's not a he. You showed that when about two minutes after it came out that she was going to get the job you started calling her a "diversity hire". You had no idea who she was, you had no idea what she had or had not accomplished, all you knew is that she was a woman and that was enough for you to hate the hire. The fact that some people are willing to give her a chance doesn't mean that they are idiots, it means that they want to see for themselves the kind of job she does. The fact that you decided that she was a poor hire before you even knew one thing at all about her other than her sex doesn't make you a genius, it makes you, well, I think we all know what it makes you.

By the way, many (but not all) of the people who know a lot more about wrestling and the wrestling hire than you ever will now think that Pitt got a good coach and has a good plan for the future. Whether that plan ends up being executed will tell a lot, but people who know a lot more than you are getting on board with things.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

No matter how much you protest otherwise, everyone here knows that your problem with Lyke is that she's not a he. You showed that when about two minutes after it came out that she was going to get the job you started calling her a "diversity hire". You had no idea who she was, you had no idea what she had or had not accomplished, all you knew is that she was a woman and that was enough for you to hate the hire. The fact that some people are willing to give her a chance doesn't mean that they are idiots, it means that they want to see for themselves the kind of job she does. The fact that you decided that she was a poor hire before you even knew one thing at all about her other than her sex doesn't make you a genius, it makes you, well, I think we all know what it makes you.

By the way, many (but not all) of the people who know a lot more about wrestling and the wrestling hire than you ever will now think that Pitt got a good coach and has a good plan for the future. Whether that plan ends up being executed will tell a lot, but people who know a lot more than you are getting on board with things.

Joe as I said before 3 of my top 5 Directors on the job are women. My wife a strong willed, driven woman runs a small media business and we've been married for over 30 years imagine that? She likes me and you might too if you got to know me but I dont play checkers or feed pigeons like you do!

Joe where's the list of accomplishments?
How about the new programs?
When does she start rolling the new stuff out?
New blood new stuff right! Everyone is expecting change so lets see it?
I could care less what or who the AD is as long as "he , she. or it" does a great job!
Has Lyke been on vacation since she was hired?
Maybe she is of Euro decent and gets the six weeks vacation from day 1 on the job? No sence working to hard.

Fyi- the wrestling hire didnt go like it could have gone and didnt creat any excitement or buzz to generate donations or fan interest!

I know of the new coach. I'm a college wrestling fan since I wrestled in college and our kids were on a PA State Championship team. Wife and I go to Lehigh U matches alot especially PITT vs Lehigh, PITT vs NC this year, PITT vs NC ST, and the local HS events including our districts, regionals and the PA states. The two teams ( Nazareth & Bethlehem Catholic) were in the PA HS state finals this year were from our local conference so we know wrestling!
I coached a youth wrestling feeder program for one of those teams and I know HS wrestlers and they like to attend U's with buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz coaches!

I hope the new coach does well but like everything else at PITT wrestling could have done better just like PITT basketball missed opportunities for hiring a new HC.
Its all damage control right now, getting people interested in PITT wrestling which wastes along of valuable time. Had they hired a coach that created alot of BUZZZZzz momentum would be on their side!

PITT didnt want to spend the money for a proven quality D1 wrestling coach. The Nitters were in a similar situation years ago and went out and committed to their wrestling program by hiring and paying for a quality HC. Sandersen has buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

When it comes to recruiting college wrestlers it has alot to do with who and what the HC did during his wrestling career in terms of college (won NC thats good), world, and Olympic performance. Its that kind of sport otherwise the Nitters, Iowa, Lehigh, Okalahoma State, will land the great PA talent!

The Nitters conduct youth wrestling camps , clinics , etc. Guess what the draw is its their coach Sandersen and all the other great wrestlers who flock to those events. I've been to them with our kids.

PITT must begin to conduct similar events and need a draw not sure Gavin is it. Wrestlers in HS decide where they would like to wrestle in college early in their HS careers based on associations they've made at youth clinics and overnight camps!

 

[Delpanther]

No matter how much you protest otherwise, everyone here knows that your problem with Lyke is that she's not a he. You showed that when about two minutes after it came out that she was going to get the job you started calling her a "diversity hire". You had no idea who she was, you had no idea what she had or had not accomplished, all you knew is that she was a woman and that was enough for you to hate the hire. The fact that some people are willing to give her a chance doesn't mean that they are idiots, it means that they want to see for themselves the kind of job she does. The fact that you decided that she was a poor hire before you even knew one thing at all about her other than her sex doesn't make you a genius, it makes you, well, I think we all know what it makes you.

By the way, many (but not all) of the people who know a lot more about wrestling and the wrestling hire than you ever will now think that Pitt got a good coach and has a good plan for the future. Whether that plan ends up being executed will tell a lot, but people who know a lot more than you are getting on board with things.

So you're willing to give a lady who most recently was an AD at a backwater third rate institution school for 2 years and has spent the bulk of here career as a compliance officer the benefit of the doubt in terms of her competently filling the AD's job at Pitt but unwilling to give the head BB coach a similar chance when he has a hell of a better track record than the AD? There was nothing in her past experience and accomplishments suggesting she would likely be able to handle the AD's job at Pitt. The criticism of Lyke has nothing to do with her being a female..she has lousy experience.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

So you're willing to give a lady who most recently was an AD at a backwater third rate institution school for 2 years and has spent the bulk of here career as a compliance officer the benefit of the doubt in terms of her competently filling the AD's job at Pitt but unwilling to give the head BB coach a similar chance when he has a hell of a better track record than the AD? There was nothing in her past experience and accomplishments suggesting she would likely be able to handle the AD's job at Pitt. The criticism of Lyke has nothing to do with her being a female..she has lousy experience.

The EMU experience is totally irrelevant to PITT and the ACC.

The OSU athletic organization includes a VP of Athletics ( eqivalent to PITTS AD) , reporting to that person is a Dir of Athletics, reporting to that person are three Asst. Directors of Athletics, and Lyke reported to one of those assistants?

Lyke was a cubicle staff person responsible for compliance, sports welfare programs, and some minor sports programs.

Not a hot commodity/ rising star at OSU!
Top performing women are moved up quickly and in our industry "begged" to stay and usually overpaid to stay. I would think if she was a game breaker OSU would have gone the extra mile to retain Lyke.

Instead Lyke moves to the power U EMU? What's an EMU? EMU had its first winning year in years finishing 3rd or 4th in the MAC two division set-up.
Everyone touts Lyke as the person responsible for the improvement in performance. Take a look at who EMU ??? played?

PITT hired a lightweight to save money and trust me in a few years PITT will be paying for this mistake!

 

[pittmeister]

Some of our fellow Pitt fans need a reality check...

Do any of you naysayers do research before spouting off like fools? Nooooooooo... That would take effort... Allow me to help your lazy asses...

Would you hire an AD who had no FBS experience and who’s previous experience was at athletic juggernauts Colorado St or North Arizona???? No? Well let me introduce you to Tom Jurich (Louisville).

Would you hire an AD from within that had no previous AD experience? In fact he was at one time the basketball team manager at the same school...The OUTRAGE! The INCOMPETENCE!!! Let me introduce you to Mark Hollis (MSU)….

Would you hire an AD that served as an assistant athletics director for external operations at both Washington State (1998-99) and Cal Poly (1994-98). His only other experience was an AD at that Athletic super giant; Rice University? WHAT STUPIDITY!!!! WE’RE PITT! WE CAN DO BETTER!! Let me introduce to you…. Chris Delconte (TCU).

Would you hire an AD that was an associate vice president and director of athletics at……Northern Illinois University. Not an AD at NIU, but an associate! WHAT KIND OF COMPETENT ADMINISTRATION WOULD DO A THING LIKE THAT!!! Let me introduce you to…. Jim Phillips (Northwestern).

Can you believe that a big time program like Florida hired a guy internally who’s claim to fame was being the ticket manager for the same school??? WE’RE TALKING FLORIDA! THAT’S THE BEST THEY COULD COME UP WITH!?!?!?!?!... His name is Jeremy Foley

Just in case you want to scoff at the names I’m presenting here is a list of the top 25 AD’s. I took the first 5 names from the list and did some research…

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/152470378/ncaa-best-athletic-directors-rankings

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Joe where's the list of accomplishments?

The fact that you apparently don't know that, for instance, Pitt has changed their basketball seating plan and has instituted a new graduates program for football season tickets tells everyone here what your agenda is. I don't care if you have 3 million women who work for you, you've hated the hire since moment one when ALL you knew about Lyke was that she was a woman.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

So you're willing to give a lady who most recently was an AD at a backwater third rate institution school for 2 years and has spent the bulk of here career as a compliance officer the benefit of the doubt in terms of her competently filling the AD's job at Pitt but unwilling to give the head BB coach a similar chance when he has a hell of a better track record than the AD? There was nothing in her past experience and accomplishments suggesting she would likely be able to handle the AD's job at Pitt. The criticism of Lyke has nothing to do with her being a female..she has lousy experience.

Well if you want to traffic in facts (and I know, you don't) I have said on numerous occasions that barring some sort of scandal Kevin Stallings was going to get at least three seasons at Pitt. Given what has gone on in the program since he's been in charge, do you think that he deserves longer than that if things continue on the way they have gone so far?

And by the way, Kevin Stallings track record is a guy who was a below .500 coach in the SEC who was about to get fired if they couldn't pawn him off on someone else. He has no real track record of accomplishments, as you very well know.

Once again, for schools like Pitt the place that AD hires frequently come from is people who are currently ADs at the next lower level down. You know, like a MAC school. To believe that Pitt was going to be able to go out and hire a "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" as their new AD is to live in a fantasy land. No "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" was giving up a job like that to come to Pitt unless they were in trouble for some reason at their current school. The AD equivalent of Kevin Stallings. Is that really what we need?

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

So much anger posting.....relax everyone and chill

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

So much anger posting.....relax everyone and chill

I can't speak for Parrothead or del (or anyone else for that matter) but I'm certainly not angry. I like engaging in back and forth with people who think differently (read, are wrong ) than myself. If an internet message board made me angry I'd find a better way to waste my time.

 

[MarySki]

Ok so we now have "new blood" in Lyke.

Make me a list of the new programs or positive changes she's made for PITT athletics? Put the wrestling program hire on the Another PITT F Up List!

Football is just around the corner and basketball is just around the other corner and its the same old stuff still yet over and over again!

Lets see some new stuff!
A guy posted he runs a local co and never has heard from PITT about purchasing tickets?

We needed to "steal" a proven hot commodity AD from another school, pay up for the person ( male or female) and give them the flexibility to change PITT sports for the better.
Or we'll be the next CMU and sports will be an afterthought!

Instead we hire someone from EMU?????????????????

Lyke will be gone before Stalling!

Dear Lord, she has only been here two months.

 

[Delpanther]

Well if you want to traffic in facts (and I know, you don't) I have said on numerous occasions that barring some sort of scandal Kevin Stallings was going to get at least three seasons at Pitt. Given what has gone on in the program since he's been in charge, do you think that he deserves longer than that if things continue on the way they have gone so far?

And by the way, Kevin Stallings track record is a guy who was a below .500 coach in the SEC who was about to get fired if they couldn't pawn him off on someone else. He has no real track record of accomplishments, as you very well know.

Once again, for schools like Pitt the place that AD hires frequently come from is people who are currently ADs at the next lower level down. You know, like a MAC school. To believe that Pitt was going to be able to go out and hire a "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" as their new AD is to live in a fantasy land. No "proven D1 ACC caliber winner" was giving up a job like that to come to Pitt unless they were in trouble for some reason at their current school. The AD equivalent of Kevin Stallings. Is that really what we need?

I don't disagree materially with what you say about Stallings,

I wasn't expecting Pitt to steal and AD from a big name school. But even an establlshed AD from a MAC school or deputy AD from a big name school would have been better than what they settled for. They lady is a green horn.

 

[gbgpanther]

I don't disagree materially with what you say about Stallings,

I wasn't expecting Pitt to steal and AD from a big name school. But even an establlshed AD from a MAC school or deputy AD from a big name school would have been better than what they settled for. They lady is a green horn.

Well everyone has an opinion right or wrong and that depend on you look at it. Things we can not answer is her desire to succeed . So the way I look at it is who cares about what you call experience . At my job I was just a worker and they needed to replace the second in command . I heard it all to young not enough experience never will be able to compete against the big boys. Well let me report that I took a company doing about 25 million worth of work to 69 million in 3 years and my field is just starting to pick up and get busy. I did it by changing almost everything moved what people though we're key and unreplaceable worker

 

[gbgpanther]

Well everyone has an opinion right or wrong and that depend on you look at it. Things we can not answer is her desire to succeed . So the way I look at it is who cares about what you call experience . At my job I was just a worker and they needed to replace the second in command . I heard it all to young not enough experience never will be able to compete against the big boys. Well let me report that I took a company doing about 25 million worth of work to 69 million in 3 years and my field is just starting to pick up and get busy. I did it by changing almost everything moved what people though we're key and unreplaceable worker

and went against the grain when necessary. It was not easy and thought at times that I lost all my support . So my view let's see where it goes and give her our support.

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

Why don't posters respect other's opinion?

I can't speak for Parrothead or del (or anyone else for that matter) but I'm certainly not angry. I like engaging in back and forth with people who think differently (read, are wrong ) than myself. If an internet message board made me angry I'd find a better way to waste my time.

 

[gbgpanther]

Why don't posters respect other's opinion?

If you are asking this about me I do respect people's opinion. You are allowed to be wrong ! Just joking sometimes you need To go against the grain and what I learned that most people that are in leadership roles do not belong there and then promotions come to people who can not threaten them . I am the complete opposite . I tell the owner if there is someone better the me go get him. It takes guts to run right through stop signs but I think this is fun for me.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Why don't posters respect other's opinion?

If you don't agree with others its important to let them know or they'll think their opinion is the only one that counts.
Controlled conflict is important or nothing will ever change. Challenge and different opinions make people think about what they just said.
Imagine if no one challenged the horse and buggy you'd be smoking your pot and eating pot laced brownies in a buggy not a car.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

Dear Lord, she has only been here two months.

Coming up on three months soon.
Football is right around the corner.
Basketball follows quickly after football and basketball is a trainwreck.
Lyke is in tough spot and doesn't have the luxury of time.
People are planning their days/ weekends and deciding how they'll spend their disposal income now and prior to now.
For example we live 300 miles from Pittsburgh and have to get our Northshore hotels booked close to 10 months ahead or we don't stay on the Northshore or close to Heinz.
Most new top executives have their plans layed out and communicated by 2 months maybe 3 on the outside.
We'll eventually find out wont we.
I still say Lyke will be gone before Stallings from what I've noticed so far!

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

If you are asking this about me I do respect people's opinion. You are allowed to be wrong ! Just joking sometimes you need To go against the grain and what I learned that most people that are in leadership roles do not belong there and then promotions come to people who can not threaten them . I am the complete opposite . I tell the owner if there is someone better the me go get him. It takes guts to run right through stop signs but I think this is fun for me.

What?

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

If you don't agree with others its important to let them know or they'll think their opinion is the only one that counts.
Controlled conflict is important or nothing will ever change. Challenge and different opinions make people think about what they just said.
Imagine if no one challenged the horse and buggy you'd be smoking your pot and eating pot laced brownies in a buggy not a car.

What?

 

[Delpanther]

Well everyone has an opinion right or wrong and that depend on you look at it. Things we can not answer is her desire to succeed . So the way I look at it is who cares about what you call experience . At my job I was just a worker and they needed to replace the second in command . I heard it all to young not enough experience never will be able to compete against the big boys. Well let me report that I took a company doing about 25 million worth of work to 69 million in 3 years and my field is just starting to pick up and get busy. I did it by changing almost everything moved what people though we're key and unreplaceable worker

How many times has Pitt made a similar hire and the results have been disastrous? You generally get what you pay for..sure there are exceptions. Pitt consistently goes cheap and gets commensurate results. There's no better indicator of likely future results than past results. Same old same old with Pitt. They take a flyer on an unproven commodity and keep their fingers crossed.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

I wasn't expecting Pitt to steal and AD from a big name school. But even an establlshed AD from a MAC school or deputy AD from a big name school would have been better than what they settled for. They lady is a green horn.

For the record I'm not saying that she's a great hire. I simply don't know. But neither does anyone else. We will find out if she is a good, bad or mediocre hire as time goes on. If she has a first year equivalent to that of Kevin Stallings I will be worried, just like I am worried about his hiring. And I get that we certainly don't have a good track record in hirings like this. But you have to give her a chance to see what she can do.

 

[Delpanther]

Some of our fellow Pitt fans need a reality check...

Do any of you naysayers do research before spouting off like fools? Nooooooooo... That would take effort... Allow me to help your lazy asses...

Would you hire an AD who had no FBS experience and who’s previous experience was at athletic juggernauts Colorado St or North Arizona???? No? Well let me introduce you to Tom Jurich (Louisville).

Would you hire an AD from within that had no previous AD experience? In fact he was at one time the basketball team manager at the same school...The OUTRAGE! The INCOMPETENCE!!! Let me introduce you to Mark Hollis (MSU)….

Would you hire an AD that served as an assistant athletics director for external operations at both Washington State (1998-99) and Cal Poly (1994-98). His only other experience was an AD at that Athletic super giant; Rice University? WHAT STUPIDITY!!!! WE’RE PITT! WE CAN DO BETTER!! Let me introduce to you…. Chris Delconte (TCU).

Would you hire an AD that was an associate vice president and director of athletics at……Northern Illinois University. Not an AD at NIU, but an associate! WHAT KIND OF COMPETENT ADMINISTRATION WOULD DO A THING LIKE THAT!!! Let me introduce you to…. Jim Phillips (Northwestern).

Can you believe that a big time program like Florida hired a guy internally who’s claim to fame was being the ticket manager for the same school??? WE’RE TALKING FLORIDA! THAT’S THE BEST THEY COULD COME UP WITH!?!?!?!?!... His name is Jeremy Foley

Just in case you want to scoff at the names I’m presenting here is a list of the top 25 AD’s. I took the first 5 names from the list and did some research…

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/152470378/ncaa-best-athletic-directors-rankings

Every blind pig BUT Pitt occasionally finds an acorn. Pitt's batting average in athletic hires is as close to 0 as you can get. Compare Pitt's hiring record to wvu's ...,WVU often goes after personnel from lower level schools but they do their homework and hire good people. Pitt has the Mitas touch in reverse. We'll change our tune when Pitt actually does something right!!! Pitt doesn't know how to evaluate personnel and for the most part has one key qualification: that they come cheap!

 

[Delpanther]

BULLSEYE!

Neither is wvu and they run circles around Pitt with their personnel decions in athletics. Quit making excuses for incompetence