Making pure sense of it all will take some time. This has all been so seat-of-the-pants at times. What kind of athletic department and head coach does Pitt have, to have managed to keep everyone in the dark as to what the eff was happening for a few days?
Seriously. We live in a world where everything is played out in media with dueling agendas and spin. And what do these fools do? They keep it all under wraps, leading to conjecture, assumptions and incredible mood swings in the fan base. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Of course, officially, Pitt and Coach Dixon did not say how much of a raise he was getting, but the contract was extended through the 2012-013 season.
Statement from Pitt head basketball coach Jamie Dixon:
“I am grateful to the University of Pittsburgh for the opportunity and support that I have received here. I love both the University and our outstanding city. There is no place else that I would rather be, and I made that fact clear, both to Chancellor Nordenberg and our athletic director, Jeff Long.
“During the course of the season, Jeff and I discussed the future of our program and he reinforced Pitt’s desire for me to be the head coach at Pitt for a long time. That was my goal as well and we agreed that our discussions would be confidential and take place after the season. Our conversations took place this week and I’m grateful that the Chancellor and Jeff worked so quickly to ensure my family will be residents of Pittsburgh for a long time.
“I’m fortunate to be surrounded by a special group of players, a great coaching staff, the most supportive administration in the country and tremendous fans. Our success can be attributed directly to those components. We’ve been able to celebrate Big East championships and NCAA Tournament appearances while playing in the soldout Petersen Events Center. That success on the court has been mirrored by tremendous academic achievement. Pitt basketball has a very bright future and we are working to build on our recent success.
“My family considers Pittsburgh home. Our children were born here, my wife earned her master’s from Pitt and we were married while residing in Pittsburgh. Jacqueline and I are looking forward to raising our children in this wonderful city.”
Statement from Pitt athletic director Jeff Long:
“Jamie Dixon has done an outstanding job building our program the right way with quality student-athletes. Academically and athletically, our program is on the right track. Our program already has become one of the country’s most consistently successful, and I believe it has the potential to grow even stronger under Coach Dixon’s leadership.
“It is our belief in Coach Dixon that has led us to ensure his long-term leadership of our basketball program. We mutually agreed that the best time to discuss his contract would be after the season. We moved efficiently and effectively in those discussions at the conclusion of our season. It was our objective to continue to have Jamie and his family in Pittsburgh — and at the University of Pittsburgh — for a long time and we are pleased they feel the same way.
“Jamie has proven he was the right person for our head coaching position three years ago and continues to be the right person today. Our program has reached new heights with five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including three during Jamie’s time as head coach.
“Pitt has established itself as a premier program in college basketball demonstrated by its success both nationally and in the Big East Conference. Our soldout Petersen Events Center is recognized as one of the most exciting basketball venues in the nation and we plan on that excitement continuing under Coach Dixon’s leadership.”
The statements pretty much say everything you want to hear. A long term commitment from both (for whatever that is actually worth these days), a profession of love for the city and the school from Coach Dixon, and of course wanting to go further.
That means, of course, that his trips to Altoona for PIAA playoffs are still serving Pitt. That the next time Herb Pope speaks with the words of J.O. Stright, they won’t be able to make claims that his recruitment is open because he doesn’t know if Coach Dixon will still be around.
The coaching situation at Pitt’s marquee programs are as stable as they have ever been. Imagine that.
According to the AP story, Coach Dixon got a raise to around $900,00.
The next concern, of course, is trying to retain Associate Head Coach Barry Rohrssen. Who may be up for the Seton Hall job, or even the Duquesne position.
