Why I like Jamie!

[Oregon_Panther]

Sitting from a far (today, Kauai, but usually Portland), here's why I like Jamie:

1. He's a quality person.
2. He has a program you never hear negative things said about the behavior of the players.
3. He is a proven Winner.
4. He has raised the profile of the PITT program and kept it high.
5. He exemplifies what PITT means to a national audience in the most positive manner possible.

Granted I don't live in Pittsburgh, but from a distance, Jamie is the man I want coaching
PITT men's hoops. People in my Portland circle of basketball friends (including Duck fans, Zag fans, Bruin fans, Husky fans, Beaver fans, and Trail Blazers' fans) all believe he's quality and are shocked anybody would dispute it. Are there up and downs--sure, programs go through them, but I believe Jamie can steer through any difficulties. Being one of 64 teams going dancing 11 out of 13 years is an achievement.

I am proud to be a PITT grad, and proud of what Jamie means to our University!

Hail to PITT!
-al-

 

[NewKen2013]

Can I tell you the reasons I don't like Dixon?

- Recruiting has suffered greatly in the last 4-5 years. It's forced Dixon to sign numerous JUCO players and senior eligible transfers.

- One NCAA tourney win since 2011. Dixon often flames out in March.

- The outright refusal to publicly acknowledge shortcomings in post-season play. Thus not inspiring confidence that things will ever get better. By extension, his refusal to subtract assistant coaches that have obviously done a poor job recruiting and coaching.

- The perception of the program is worsening by the second. While Dixon is highly thought of nationally, I believe that perception is biased based on his Big East resume. His struggle to adapt to ACC play and recruiting is concerning.

 

[Oregon_Panther]

New Ken,

I can understand your concerns...and I give you credit for not being a character assassinator as many of our fans can become.

From my viewpoint (and it is more of a national than local view as living in Portland I am not bombarded with locals talking all things PITT), I still want Jamie coaching, for I believe his positives far, far outweigh the negatives.

And again, thank you for keeping the discourse civil and constructive.

Hail to PITT!
-al-

 

[KiwiJeff]

Can I tell you the reasons I don't like Dixon?

- Recruiting has suffered greatly in the last 4-5 years. It's forced Dixon to sign numerous JUCO players and senior eligible transfers.

- One NCAA tourney win since 2011. Dixon often flames out in March.

- The outright refusal to publicly acknowledge shortcomings in post-season play. Thus not inspiring confidence that things will ever get better. By extension, his refusal to subtract assistant coaches that have obviously done a poor job recruiting and coaching.

- The perception of the program is worsening by the second. While Dixon is highly thought of nationally, I believe that perception is biased based on his Big East resume. His struggle to adapt to ACC play and recruiting is concerning.

He has acknowledged failings in post season play. Worsening by the second eh? How much worse it must have gotten in the 15 seconds I typed this. How is ACC play different from BE play? Thank for the insights friend!

 

[mdpitt]

Sitting from a far (today, Kauai, but usually Portland), here's why I like Jamie:

1. He's a quality person.
2. He has a program you never hear negative things said about the behavior of the players.
3. He is a proven Winner.
4. He has raised the profile of the PITT program and kept it high.
5. He exemplifies what PITT means to a national audience in the most positive manner possible.

Granted I don't live in Pittsburgh, but from a distance, Jamie is the man I want coaching
PITT men's hoops. People in my Portland circle of basketball friends (including Duck fans, Zag fans, Bruin fans, Husky fans, Beaver fans, and Trail Blazers' fans) all believe he's quality and are shocked anybody would dispute it. Are there up and downs--sure, programs go through them, but I believe Jamie can steer through any difficulties. Being one of 64 teams going dancing 11 out of 13 years is an achievement.

I am proud to be a PITT grad, and proud of what Jamie means to our University!

Hail to PITT!
-al-

One thing that makes him unique is often when he has the most disagreeable moments he does it from a knee instead of towering over officials. It's a subtle thing but I bet he treats his kids and colleagues the same way. Some would say it's a weakness but I feel its strength.

Whatever happens will happen from this point. I believe his path is already made.