So, if this post and the ensuing comments are any reflection, then there is more than a little free-floating concern about what the deal is with Pitt basketball at the moment. At the risk of coming off as a Dixon apologist, I’m going to go pretentious and quote Shakespeare.

Oh heavens, die two months ago, and not forgotten yet? — Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 2

Maggie Dixon died tragically and suddenly a little more than 2 months ago (April 7). Yet of all the things detailed in the post and comments, that seems conspicuously absent. The final burial at West Point was on April 16. The next day, Assistant Joe Lombardi left to take over at IUP. A little over a week later (April 25) Associate Head Coach Barry Rohrssen was named HC at Manhattan. Three weeks later the signing period ends and Pitt didn’t get any top recruits with the loss of two top assistants and a coach maybe just a little in mourning and distracted.

While I get concern and confusion over delaying naming Antigua and deciding on Rice, it seems a little over the top to freak out over this offseason. I’d probably have been more concerned if Dixon made hires too soon after the loss of his sister. Who’s to say he would have been making a good call at that point.

Let’s face it. This has been one of the more effed up offseasons for any coach with all that has happened. From facing lucrative new job offers, sudden personal loss, major turnover to the coaching staff and trying to help a key player on the team decide to stay or go. That is a lot of shit with which to cope.

The loss of his sister isn’t a forever excuse, but I think 2-3 months after is not an outrageous time for some things to move slowly.