Pitt BBall Coaching Staff

[We_All_We_Got]

Does anyone on the board know if the new AD has thought about/is willing to spend more money basketball coaching roster? With respect to football, he has already extended Narduzzi, was willing to go beyond what Narduzzi was expecting to spend on Chaney, etc. He also seems ready to build up the soccer program as well.

I am personally a supporter of Dixon, though I can understand and agree with some of the criticisms he is receiving. I would not let him go just yet, and his contract would make my decision that much easier. BUT, the time may have come to make a 'splash' hire at assistant coach. You see guys like Harley and Salem on Narduzzi's staff working OT for recruits, so who is 'that guy' for Dixon?

I miss having someone like Barry Rohrssen on the bench and especially on the recruiting trail. Bringing in Ontario feels like a good move, as he and Knight both were here at the beginning of the new era. However, I think a big hire may help in recruiting. Orlando Antigua used to be on that bench, spent some time with Calipari, and is now a head coach himself. Maybe having someone (preferably another Pitt guy) with a Harlem-Globetrotter-esque status or something similar on the crew would bring some enthusiasm to the team and the recruiting trail? Or maybe show fans and potential Panthers that the University is ready to get back to its previously consistent winning-ways?

I am currently uninformed and curious to what everyone thinks, and look forward to any info you guys have. Thanks.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Here we go with the Slice stuff again.

Slice II = Majors II.

I don't disagree it might be a good idea to shake up the staff but let's move on.

 

[We_All_We_Got]

I am new to the posting boards and did not realize this was, for lack of a better term, a sensitive issue here. Actually had to Google "Slice" as I did not know it was Barry's nickname, lol. I also did not mean to imply that we should head to St. John's and try to sway him back to Pitt.

I was more or less trying to see if anyone had any ideas on how to spark a Pitt program that seems to have stagnated, particularly in recruiting. I do not see the replacement of Dixon as a viable option at the moment, and as such thought maybe shaking the bench up with some new blood might bring some energy and outside thinking to the team.

As the team's new playing field ventures further south (see: Bojangles...), I was curious if there were any up-and-comers with roots in these areas to help continue our transition into the ACC. Narduzzi picked up Conklin - a promising young coach with roots in a recruiting hot bed. Is there someone along these lines Pitt can go after? I do not have a solution, only frustration over the current situation.

 

[PittPoker]

I am new to the posting boards and did not realize this was, for lack of a better term, a sensitive issue here. Actually had to Google "Slice" as I did not know it was Barry's nickname, lol. I also did not mean to imply that we should head to St. John's and try to sway him back to Pitt.

I was more or less trying to see if anyone had any ideas on how to spark a Pitt program that seems to have stagnated, particularly in recruiting. I do not see the replacement of Dixon as a viable option at the moment, and as such thought maybe shaking the bench up with some new blood might bring some energy and outside thinking to the team.

As the team's new playing field ventures further south (see: Bojangles...), I was curious if there were any up-and-comers with roots in these areas to help continue our transition into the ACC. Narduzzi picked up Conklin - a promising young coach with roots in a recruiting hot bed. Is there someone along these lines Pitt can go after? I do not have a solution, only frustration over the current situation.

Nope, recruiting has sucked for a while now but again, the next year will be better because.... crowd thinks we have 2 game changer guys coming here. Who knows. What I do know is that the team has been meh for a while now and I don't see it changing unless we up our recruiting considerably, get some good new assistants in here quick and dare I say it, get rid of Dixon.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Sorry if I came off snarky or short but good ole Barry didn't do much the 2nd time around. More knowledgeable posters than I say he was kind of forced on Dixon and I'm sure they'll chime in at some point. And he bailed quickly to go to Kentucky.

I do not know the landscape all that well but it would be good if things could be reenergized. And assistants would seem be the route to go at this point as Dixon has 7 years left on his deal so he's not going anywhere any time soon.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Nope, recruiting has sucked for a while now but again, the next year will be better because.... crowd thinks we have 2 game changer guys coming here. Who knows. What I do know is that the team has been meh for a while now and I don't see it changing unless we up our recruiting considerably, get some good new assistants in here quick and dare I say it, get rid of Dixon.

You can dare keep saying it but with what is likely to be an enormous buyout Dixon's gonna be around for a few more years for better or worse.

 

[We_All_We_Got]

Sorry if I came off snarky or short but good ole Barry didn't do much the 2nd time around. More knowledgeable posters than I say he was kind of forced on Dixon and I'm sure they'll chime in at some point. And he bailed quickly to go to Kentucky.

I do not know the landscape all that well but it would be good if things could be reenergized. And assistants would seem be the route to go at this point as Dixon has 7 years left on his deal so he's not going anywhere any time soon.

The body language between Dixon and 'Slice' did seem a bit off the second go-round, so that would not surprise me.

Nope, recruiting has sucked for a while now but again, the next year will be better because.... crowd thinks we have 2 game changer guys coming here. Who knows. What I do know is that the team has been meh for a while now and I don't see it changing unless we up our recruiting considerably, get some good new assistants in here quick and dare I say it, get rid of Dixon.

Justice and Mani could very well be part of the solution; and maybe Dixon swings another nice recruit, preferably at the 5. Nix stepping in next year ready to ball at an ACC-level would be huge for the team, too, and could allow for Young to spend more quality time at the 4, Artis/Jeter at the 3.

Hopefully, the team continues to develop, goes on a nice streak to end the season, and we all were just whistling in the wind. Conversely, if the team comes to a halt similar to last season, we may all still be whistling in the wind...

 

[magadog]

Does anyone on the board know if the new AD has thought about/is willing to spend more money basketball coaching roster? With respect to football, he has already extended Narduzzi, was willing to go beyond what Narduzzi was expecting to spend on Chaney, etc. He also seems ready to build up the soccer program as well.

I am personally a supporter of Dixon, though I can understand and agree with some of the criticisms he is receiving. I would not let him go just yet, and his contract would make my decision that much easier. BUT, the time may have come to make a 'splash' hire at assistant coach. You see guys like Harley and Salem on Narduzzi's staff working OT for recruits, so who is 'that guy' for Dixon?

I miss having someone like Barry Rohrssen on the bench and especially on the recruiting trail. Bringing in Ontario feels like a good move, as he and Knight both were here at the beginning of the new era. However, I think a big hire may help in recruiting. Orlando Antigua used to be on that bench, spent some time with Calipari, and is now a head coach himself. Maybe having someone (preferably another Pitt guy) with a Harlem-Globetrotter-esque status or something similar on the crew would bring some enthusiasm to the team and the recruiting trail? Or maybe show fans and potential Panthers that the University is ready to get back to its previously consistent winning-ways?

I am currently uninformed and curious to what everyone thinks, and look forward to any info you guys have. Thanks.

Slice left Pitt to be the second or third highest paid assistant coach at Kentucky which was still more than what Pitt was paying him. If the AD is willing to invest similar resources for the basketball program, then there might be a swing in recruiting & coaching. Dixon let go Sandle to make room for Slice. The move may have made sense if Slice stuck around more than a year, but Dixon had to jettison a coach who actually was a good administrative coach who did advance scouting & helped prepare the team for their opponent instead of a recruiter.

When Dixon first started as a head coach,he hired assistant coaches that left for head coaching positions. The current staff has been together for several years and aren't getting any sniffs from other schools to move up.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

The solutions to any coaching staff problems are rarely found in the past.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Don't see money a problem here. I mean, Jamie has a 10 yr deal that pays him in the top 10.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Don't see money a problem here. I mean, Jamie has a 10 yr deal that pays him in the top 10.

You can keep repeating that, but it's not reality.

Top 25, sure.
And I don't think money is a problem to attract a coach... Meaning a not elite coach from a lower level program.

 

[Seneca_Valley]

The solutions to any staffing problems are rarely found in the past.

Fixed.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Fixed.

Fair enough.
Life moves forward..
Despite some people continually living in the past.

 

[evahflow]

I think it's weird that Knight gets a pass when talking about assistants. I love what he did here but he isn't getting mentioned for HC jobs and he has been the top guy here for a while. He also never turned into that star recruiter we thought he may eventually be. Could be time to let him go and make a big time money move for a top assistant or lower level HC somewhere. It's not that I think he is doing a bad job here I think he may have hit his ceiling and if he has we could do a lot better in that position.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

The solutions to any coaching staff problems are rarely found in the past.

Who said that first?

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Who said that first?

Bill Barton?

 

[NTOP]

Nope, recruiting has sucked for a while now but again, the next year will be better because.... crowd thinks we have 2 game changer guys coming here. Who knows. What I do know is that the team has been meh for a while now and I don't see it changing unless we up our recruiting considerably, get some good new assistants in here quick and dare I say it, get rid of Dixon.

Goofier by the post.

 

[NTOP]

Slice left Pitt to be the second or third highest paid assistant coach at Kentucky which was still more than what Pitt was paying him. If the AD is willing to invest similar resources for the basketball program, then there might be a swing in recruiting & coaching. Dixon let go Sandle to make room for Slice. The move may have made sense if Slice stuck around more than a year, but Dixon had to jettison a coach who actually was a good administrative coach who did advance scouting & helped prepare the team for their opponent instead of a recruiter.

When Dixon first started as a head coach,he hired assistant coaches that left for head coaching positions. The current staff has been together for several years and aren't getting any sniffs from other schools to move up.

Dixon was TOLD to rehire Slice by his boss. Sandle was the victim. But, now, people want Barnes to mess with hoops. Short memory?? Bad comprehension skills?? Combo??

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Bill Barton?

Since you brought him up. This is his 5th year. If miss the NCAA's this year it will be the 3rd year of his 5 that we miss the NCAA's.

I ain't saying he IS the problem. I am saying he is not a solution.

 

[PittPoker]

Since you brought him up. This is his 5th year. If miss the NCAA's this year it will be the 3rd year of his 5 that we miss the NCAA's.

I ain't saying he IS the problem. I am saying he is not a solution.

Is Brandin Knight bringing anything to this team as an assistant? Somehow I feel not much.

 

[Saboteur]

Sorry if I came off snarky or short but good ole Barry didn't do much the 2nd time around. More knowledgeable posters than I say he was kind of forced on Dixon and I'm sure they'll chime in at some point. And he bailed quickly to go to Kentucky.

I do not know the landscape all that well but it would be good if things could be reenergized. And assistants would seem be the route to go at this point as Dixon has 7 years left on his deal so he's not going anywhere any time soon.

IMHO, he is freeloading at this stage of his career. But I might be wrong.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Since you brought him up. This is his 5th year. If miss the NCAA's this year it will be the 3rd year of his 5 that we miss the NCAA's.

I ain't saying he IS the problem. I am saying he is not a solution.

Why don't you explain his duties to us ? By the way his main responsibilities are not recruiting, but he is responsible for Artis

 

[magadog]

Dixon was TOLD to rehire Slice by his boss. Sandle was the victim. But, now, people want Barnes to mess with hoops. Short memory?? Bad comprehension skills?? Combo??

I KNOW that the hire was forced on Dixon. Sandle was the only coach under Dixon to be shown the door.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Since you brought him up. This is his 5th year. If miss the NCAA's this year it will be the 3rd year of his 5 that we miss the NCAA's.

I ain't saying he IS the problem. I am saying he is not a solution.

I have no idea which assistants are the "problem" or the "solution", but I would be in favor of a shakeup of the coaching staff in the off season.

 

[UPitt '89]

Is Brandin Knight bringing anything to this team as an assistant? Somehow I feel not much.

Considering that our guard play has been below the line since Brandin became an assistant, that may be the most cogent comment you've made here in a long time.

Brandin gets a pass because he was a great player, but I have seen no evidence that he has been able to coach up our guards at all. If he hadn't had his number retired at Pitt, would he even be a coach here? I'm saying no.