I know some of you don’t really want to read about other schools, but considering how much I was tracking the intrigues of Arizona State and Missouri I am still reading along. And realizing that the Pitt Athletic Department is humming along as a smoothly run machine compared to Missouri. Even as the AD was hiring Mike Anderson from UAB there were two meetings over the weekend by the school’s Board to determine whether the AD would even be around to introduce the new coach. After all of the controversy and criticisms and everything else.
Guy Junker likes the extension for Coach Jamie Dixon. Of course he wants Pitt to find a way to keep Barry Rohrssen. Who doesn’t? The issue is whether he gets offered the Head Coaching job at Seton Hall. He wants to be a head coach, and he needs to get experience regardless. I don’t see why he doesn’t go for it. Hopefully Pitt has already considered replacements. I would think they’d take a look at who’s on the bench at Manhattan or Hofstra dealing with recruits. Assistant coaches who are familiar and working the NYC metro area with some on the court success.
Even though it seemed like an eternity, the new contract for Coach Dixon came together very quickly.
As contract talks go, the process went so smoothly that about all Dixon needed to do was sign on the dotted line.
“You don’t get something done in four days if everybody isn’t on the same page,” he said.
With the success the Panthers have experienced under his direction, including this year’s improbable 25-victory run, it became increasingly evident that Dixon would be exploring his options at the end of the season.
Shortly after Pitt was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament on March 19 by Bradley, the two sides began to work out a deal.
Dixon even hired an attorney, whose policies include no contact with the media.
“That was by design,” Dixon said, laughing.
It worked perfectly during last week’s wild saga of guessing games surrounding Dixon’s future. Nobody, it seemed — not even Arizona State athletic director Lisa Love, who had diligently pursued the Pitt coach’s services to no avail — could predict Dixon’s next move.
“I apologize, guys,” he told reporters Saturday. “I hope you understand.”
If you really want to go speculating as to early coaches on the hot seat for 2006, I can think of 3: Tommy Ammaker, Michigan; Mike Brey, ND; and Ernie Kent, Oregon. I’m not that concerned.
Come late April, Pitt will be hosting a big AAU talent fest.
As many as 100 teams from a dozen states in three divisions (17-under/open, 16-under and 15-under) are expected to play in the Pittsburgh Jam Fest on April 21-23 at Fitzgerald Field House and Petersen Events Center.
What makes the Jam Fest intriguing is that it received PIAA approval in late February, meaning Division I coaches are allowed to attend the event to scout prospects. Event organizers are expecting a huge draw, even though its dates conflict with the Kingwood Classic in Houston.
“It’s probably going to draw over 100 Division I coaches,” said Adam Chiappano of the Hoop Group, which runs the Jam Fest and the Eastern Invitational. “It’s one of only a few states that have approved events for Division I coaches in the springtime. That’s great exposure-wise for the school itself and the city.”
One marquee team that has accepted an invitation is the D-I Greyhounds, which has two of the nation’s top 10 juniors in O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker of Cincinnati’s North College Hill. The Pittsburgh JOTS, featuring Schenley’s DeJuan Blair and D.J. Kennedy, Aliquippa’s Herb Pope and Jeannette’s Terrelle Pryor, also has accepted.
“We’re looking to have the biggest event on the East Coast for springtime next year,” Chiappano said. “Hopefully, by next year, this event will have some buzz about it and keep the top East Coast teams in the East. They won’t have to hop on flights. They can just drive six hours.”
That can’t be bad for Pitt basketball recruiting.
According to other notes in the story, Lance Jeter from Beaver Falls finally reached eligibility to play sports as a freshman for next year. He just has to choose where and what to play. Jeter has been more interested in playing basketball, but was more highly regarded in football. He’s 6’3″ and 200 pounds. Akron, Detroit, George Mason, Marquette and Purdue are expressing interest in him for b-ball. Cinci is the only school actively pursuing him in football. Pitt doesn’t seem that interested in him.
