Pitt assistant coach Tom Herrion was given a promotion in title.
University of Pittsburgh head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon announced the promotion of Tom Herrion to Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach on Tuesday. Herrion joined the Pitt men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach on May 7, 2007. In his first year, he helped guide Pitt to a 27-10 overall record, 2008 Big East Championship title and seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007-08.
“Over the past year, Tom has proved to be an outstanding and valuable addition to our staff,” Dixon said. “Tom is a well rounded coach and has helped us in recruiting, scouting and player development. We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with his background. He also has the experience of coaching in several different environments and is familiar with the Big East region.”
I’m not sure if this had anything to do with the interest Herrion received since the season ended for open jobs. To say nothing of fawning praise from the media (per ESPN.com’s Andy Katz, Insider sub.).
Tom Herrion deserved the associate head coach title at Pitt he received Tuesday. Herrion has meshed quite well with Jamie Dixon in his first year on the job. Herrion knows just about everyone along the East Coast. He was successful at the College of Charleston before he was run out. Herrion will be a head coach again. He is a trusted, loyal assistant. Just ask Dixon and former Virginia and Providence coach Pete Gillen.
It is widely suspected, though, that it does.
The promotion also could be considered a reward by Dixon and athletic director Steve Pederson for Herrion’s loyalty. He was mentioned for openings at James Madison, Marist and Massachussetts but elected to remain at Pitt.
“Obviously, I’m very appreciative of the faith that coach Dixon and Mr. Pederson have shown in me,” said Herrion, who was recruiting in New Jersey. “Hopefully, it’s an indicator of having done a pretty good job in my first year. I’m very appreciative of the title, but it’s not going to make a lot of difference in how we do things.”
The new title, apparently does have a financial reward as well.
“I met with a few of those schools, but at the end of the day coach Dixon and Mr. [Steve] Pederson and the people at Pitt made me and my family feel very appreciated,” Herrion said. “They’ve helped to make this a wonderful opportunity in a lot of ways. I’ve been a head coach and I’ve enjoyed a high level of success. Being a head coach is not the be-all, end-all for me anymore. I’ve come in here and I have a different appreciation for where this program is. I have a deeper appreciation for being on this staff.”
Dixon believes it is always a positive when his assistants become head coaches. It is a sign of success, but having someone of Herrion’s caliber on board is equally important.
“He’s really picked up what we try to do and emphasize in our program,” Dixon said. “He’s been able to take things in and understand how we do things.”
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“Having been a head coach once, staff continuity is so valuable,” said Herrion, who was 80-38 in his four-year stay at the College of Charleston. “We have a chance with a lot of our pieces coming back next year. We have expectations, and we should. Having talented guys on the staff, we’re looking forward to next year. The ability to keep the staff intact is of great value.”
Herrion has done the coaching at the lower mid-major conference thing. It’s a reasonable gamble to wait for a better opportunity. Especially if Pitt can breakthrough with a bigger season.
Meanwhile, Luke Winn at SI.com revises his way too early 2008 power rankings based on the change in who has declared for the draft. Pitt moves in to #6.
Impact: With Young back in the fold, Pitt jumps ahead of Georgetown and Notre Dame as UConn’s most viable challenger in the Big East. After seeing his scoring average jump from 7.0 points as a sophomore to 18.1 as a junior, Young could make a bid for All-America status as a junior … and with Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster out of the way, might be college hoops’ best piano-playing swingman. The bigger development I expect to see out of the Pitt camp, though, is Blair’s emergence as a household name nationally. He was overshadowed by one-and-done freshmen such as Kevin Love, Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo last season, but Blair was highly productive as a rookie, averaging 11.6 points and 9.1 boards in 26.2 minutes per game.
He has UConn installed at #1 with Thabeet coming back. Louisville is #7, ND #10 and Georgetown at #12. Georgetown, by the way had Vernon Macklin decide to transfer.
