When Coach Dixon took over as head coach at Pitt, there was one thing that he was completely unprepared to handle — the public aspect. Going out on the rubber chicken circuit. Getting out there and meeting alum. He spoke in cliches, coachspeak and monotones. Generally, just looking very uncomfortable. He and then football coach Walt Harris formed a somnambulistic speaking duo that could not be matched.
Time and simply being more comfortable with the public aspect has changed much. Now Coach Dixon is hitting every little spot on the circuit. Going to Clearfield County as the featured speaker.
Then helping to keep the Johnstown Panther Club’s banquet going.
A year ago, the initial banquet resulted in a surprisingly high turnout, but economic fears seemed to be taking a toll on this year’s affair. There was talk within the club about cancelling the banquet.
That all changed when Pitt confirmed that Dixon would appear at the banquet. Advertising dollars started rolling in, along with the RSVPs required to attend the banquet. Now, the numbers are about on par with last year.
“He’s not only a hell of a basketball coach, but he’s also apparently recession-proof,” said Shawn Piatek, the former Tribune-Democrat staff member who is the club’s president.
Dixon isn’t the only member of the Pitt athletics staff making the trip east to Johnstown, but he is the top drawing card.
And Coach Dixon is being optimistic about the next season.
“Every year we lose great players and every year we have new guys step up,” he said at Thursday’s 26th annual Mon Valley Panther Club Chapter Banquet at The Willow Room.
“Don’t forget our two redshirt freshmen Dwight Miller and Travon Woodall,” he said. “We have a very good group of players coming in. “We’re excited and looking forward to next year.”
Dixon shared the spotlight with Pitt Athletic Director Steve Pederson and Bob Junko, the school’s director of football relations and program enhancement.
“I hope you really enjoyed this year because a lot of people were here when we didn’t have this kind of success,” said Pederson.
He was referring to the football and two basketball teams.
“We were one of only four colleges in the country to go to a bowl game and both Sweet 16s,” he said. “Oklahoma, Connecticut and Michigan State were the others.
“I believe we have many more great years to come,” he went on. “Our students are graduating at a higher rate and I’m excited about the way they handle themselves on and off the field. We want to win with good people and not at all costs.”
Dixon heads down to Tampa next week as one of the “name” coaches attending the Dick Vitale Gala. Tickets still available at only $1000 per seat.
Heck, he’s still big in New Zealand — which is heralding his return of sorts.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for former Hawke’s Bay NBL import Jamie Dixon when he returns to New Zealand as coach of the USA team for the FIBA world under-19 basketball championships in Auckland.
Dixon, who had a stellar playing stint with Hawke’s Bay in the late-80s as an outstanding point guard, has gone on to an accomplished coaching career in the American college game. He has spent the last decade at the University of Pittsburgh where, as head coach for the last six seasons, he has shaped a powerhouse programme. They have won 20-plus games for the last eight years.
Sniff. He’s all grown-up now.
