I’m not saying the LA Times beat reporter on USC is in the early stages of stalking Coach Dixon, but first he’s parsing his Tweets for deeper meanings (and probably getting it wrong since the reference was to the USA U-19 team). Then he managed to get Coach Dixon’s number.

Pittsburgh basketball Coach Jamie Dixon answered the phone quickly, after one ring. Upon learning it was a newspaper reporter, he responded, just as quickly, “I have a recruit on the other line. Can I get your number and call you back?”

Dixon took down the number, then upon being asked “Are you interested in the USC job,” replied, ‘I’ll have to call you back.”

More than two hours later the call came … from a sports information official, who said, “This is probably not the person you expected.” He then gave the stump speech, saying: “Jamie’s personal practice is not to discuss the coaching searches of other schools, so he will respectfully decline comment.”

When he starts camping out in front of Dixon’s house, don’t say I didn’t warn people about it.

That won’t stop the speculation. USC apparently feels it has to pursue Dixon just to placate people.

The chances of him saying anything other than “No, thanks” are still small, but according to a source with knowledge of the situation, Dixon will be given the first chance to replace Tim Floyd. USC has to go through that process first, likely through back channels and then maybe directly with Dixon, before it can move ahead. Waiting to ask permission to speak with him is just a formality and rarely happens anymore. By the time permission has been granted, the coach has either accepted or told the school he’s not interested.

USC’s move toward Dixon is akin to what Kentucky did two years ago with Florida’s Billy Donovan. Even though all indications were that Donovan would remain with the Gators, the Wildcats had to go through the process of making a run at him. He was the obvious first choice. UK’s approach was a bit more public than anything USC would likely do in the coming days. But the Trojans, according to a source, have to make the effort to look at Dixon.

Multiple sources close to Dixon in and out of Pittsburgh say he won’t leave for Los Angeles. But there is nothing wrong with listening. For example, what if USC were to throw a crazy offer at Dixon, like $2 million a year for eight years? Wouldn’t he have to at least listen? Dixon’s buyout is projected to be at least $1 million, according to sources, although Pitt doesn’t release contract details on its coaches.

Dixon, like any other elite coach in his position, doesn’t have to leave for a rebuilding situation, even one that has as many recruiting advantages as USC, with its proximity to players. Dixon is from the L.A. area, but Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson isn’t fretting over the current situation because of how much Dixon is revered in Pittsburgh and the way the Panthers view him as their version of Mike Krzyzewski, a coach who can leave a legacy for years to come. The timing isn’t great for Dixon, either, with a USC roster that seems to get smaller with every passing day and a commitment to be with USA Basketball for the next month.

Personally, I think Katz is lowballing on the kind of offer USC will need to make to Dixon. 8 years, $16 million is right for length, but it will take at least $2.5 mill per. Especially considering that penalties for USC are at least 6 months to a year away. The NCAA hasn’t even presented anything or officially finished the investigation.

And as I said right away, there just is not any time for Dixon to take the job. The U-19 duties mean not starting a new job until August.

Now if Coach Dixon or his agent wanted to manipulate this out for more money from Pitt or USC — and I am stating from the outset that I don’t believe this since Coach Dixon has not shown any indication that he plays this kind of game, I’m just having a little fun — then this scenario could occur.

A “back-channel” source would make noise to USC’s people that Coach Dixon might listen a lot closer after the 2009-10 season ended. That maybe hiring an interim would be the best way to make it happen.

An interim at USC would allow for extended speculation and create more pressure on Pitt for another extension and raise to keep Dixon. Especially useful when Pitt is likely going to be doing a bit of rebuilding this season.

Of course, that would put USC in a real bind. In their best case dreams they might see how things have worked out far better than expected for Arizona by doing the year long interim route.

The difference is that, that was Arizona. They had a core group come back. They had Lute Olson back for a while and he brought in recruits (a couple of who Sean Miller was able to get back). They also were willing to spend more money than USC would probably like.

USC is in really facing a Cinci scenario for basketball. They are in chaos, a coach departing under a cloud (slightly different), the NCAA looking at the program, talent fleeing (Cinci had transfers) and recruiting lost completely. Cinci has far more tradition and support for the basketball program and they are still trying to get it back together some 4 years later.

If USC is really going to try to get Dixon first, and he makes them wait until after the U-19 games, then USC truly doesn’t care about its basketball — only appearances. They simply don’t have time to wait a month to get a new coach and staff. They need to act now to just begin the rebuilding of the program before it keeps sinking lower.

They have not even pretended to elevate an assitant to interim. Presumably because they don’t want to pay a little more for even an empty figurehead while this is all happening.

Regardless of the fertile recruiting area and spanking new facilities, USC is showing little inclination that the Athletic Department wants to do much to help and support its basketball. It merely wants to get a name to do it all. ‘

That will be another reason why Dixon won’t go. He understands and gets that support and trust of the people in the Athletic Department is vital to help the program grow and improve — and by extension Dixon’s own reputation and bank account. He has that at Pitt.