Watched the streamed press conference. Nothing particularly startling in the presser. Took some notes, and these were some of the things I felt were worth jotting.
— The presser started with both Coach Jamie Dixon and AD Steve Pederson sitting down, followed by a minor crush of reporters rushing to the table to put and activate their digital recorders.
— Pederson speaks first, thanking everyone for showing up to the pres conference on short notice, noting that this in part is because of “today’s speedy news cycle.” (A slight acknowledgment of the rumors and mini-crisis of yesterday?)
— Usual stuff. Lauding Coach Dixon and the job he has done. Lauding the character. Lauding. Lots of lauding.
— Saying that Pitt approached Dixon during the season about another extension and that Dixon never approached them (no mention as to whether Dixon’s agent did).
— I think AD Pederson was tired of press conferences with back-to-backs. He only spoke for some 5 minutes or so.
— Coach Dixon then had some brief comments. Lots of “thank yous” and statements of loyalty and never wanting to leave. That he, his wife and children love it hear. Acknowledging that he is very lucky. “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t want to go anywhere.” Basically saying all the things that he wouldn’t say yesterday.
— Then he ended with a confused look, and said, ” I don’t know why we are here today.”
— Pederson responded saying that it was just a coincidence about things. He and Coach Dixon kind of went back and forth about how there was no great time to do this. Coach Dixon leaves for the Final Four tomorrow. Then hits the recruiting trail. Suggesting that it was now or Easter Sunday. Right.
–Questions from the media followed for about the next 15 minutes. What I hate, is that the questions never are heard. Only the responses. They really need to send an intern with a microphone around to whoever is called to ask a question. I understand Nate Byham is available.
— There were questions about yesterday’s radio days. Dixon really didn’t clarify too much. I think one of the reporters read part of his quote back to ask for clarification. Coach Dixon responded, “I think that was what I was referring to.” Thanks for clearing that up.
— Dixon did go on a bit more with whatever was asked saying that two very good friends were fired yesterday. Presumably he meant Al Skinner and Pat Kearney being fired from Boston College and Holy Cross yesterday. Not sure who else lost their job yesterday.
— Again, Dixon refused to comment Oregon or any of the jobs. Mentioning again how he just doesn’t do that.
— Dixon quote about his situation at Pitt, the administration and how lucky he is, “The most important thing in coaching is who you work for.”
— Someone asked Pederson about the rumors of the Oregon job and Dixon, “I was never nervous about rumors over the last 48 hours.”
According to new addition to the Pitt blogosphere, Every Loyal Son, the new contract is in the range of $2.5 million. Unknown at this point.
When I initially posted that, the source was one of the ESPN college hoops blogs. It seems to have since been removed.
Updating accordingly.
I’m not buying $2.5 million at this point either. My GUESS would be $1.8-$2 million. But I wouldn’t be shocked if it turned out to be $2.5 million. Jamie has what most think is a Top 10 team next year and better talent coming beyond that. That will spell bigger bucks for Pitt, beyond the $5 million profit that was reported for ’08-’09.
This makes Pitt hoops a destination and officially a Basketball School.
Until today I’ve never had the feeling that Pitt was ever a Big Time college sport school. This I believe is the final phase for Pitt basketball as arriving.
Never has Pitt fully committed to any program. Even in the 70’s and 80’s the football program was always catching lightning in a bottle and the coaches moved on to better things.
I always understood that as a Pitt student/fan/alum/family we are always the girlfriend never the bride, and never ever the slutty mistress.
Today we put all our chips in for the bride. She better put out now for all that cash we shelled out for that body of work!
The University is now in the business of winning basketball games. The pressure is on.
“The University is NOW in the business of winning basketball games” — Where have you been the last 9 years? This contract extension doesn’t change one thing and doesn’t add more pressure. All it means is that the program knows the market value of a good coach and are willing to pay what it takes to keep him (as they’ve done in the past with Dixon anyway).
Twenty-two Pitt players have received degrees in the seven seasons since Dixon was hired.
I have never seen it mentioned how many players have graduated as a part of any coaching record. Kind of weird, kind of awesome.
Just shows us how brilliant our basketball players are. They play games during the week at places that require long bus ride or plane rides. Obviously, they miss a lot of class time. From interviews, they say they often go to the gym in the morning to get in extra work outs. They also say that in their spare time they like to play video and computer games and watch NBA games. Of course they also spend time Twittering. From what I understand, many or most live off campus and have to do the chores that come with having your own pad. They are a helluva lot smarter than I am. No way could I have maintained that schedule and got my degree.
Not sure what the “Pitt is barely breaking even” statement comes from. Maybe the athletic department overall, but not the basketball program. Jamie is the “CEO of the basketball program,” so his salary should not be affected by the financial state of the entire athletic department. That’s Pederson’s problem.
It is a few years behind, but still very interesting.
Who knows what’s going on behind the scenes and, God knows, we all hope Marinatto is doing more than sitting around waitng to see what happens & sending talkie Tranghese out to front for him – but the Big Ten doesn’t appear to be in the cards, certainly if the Big Ten expands by one team.
I told you so!
$1.5 million to 2.5 million translates to a “very hefty raise”.
Dixon has all of the negotiating power, he is a valuable commodity wanted by other schools, if Dixon would have settled for anything less I would have lost respect for him!
Time to pony up all and increase your donations to the University!!