286 thoughts on “ACC TOURNY: PITT vs ND Game Thread”

  1. Sick with a bad cold. No reason not to suffer further and watch my favorite team.
    Go Pitt.
    Ugh.

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  11. Maybe she got a donor to ante up a bit more in payout if she tells Stallings not to get on the plane home.

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  12. Carr and Stevenson at the beginning of the year were the two guys I thought could be pretty good. Now they are exposed. Carr is definitely ot a pg. Maybe some type of combo, but he can’t run an offense. Stevenson is just too small. That said, this is about the best Ive seen them play.

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  13. They say Pitt plays hard. But Pitt is poorly coached and they don’t have the players. I could play hard to and do nothing.

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  18. Well it’s half time and now only 1 half to go to end this disaster of a season. I honestly don’t know what else to say.

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  20. Down 12 at the half. Hope they can make a full comeback. Would be nice for the kids to get 1 win in their conference.

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  22. Yes PittFan28……..It would also be nice if we were all young millionaires. Just not going to happen.

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  24. Pitt BB is a joke now. It was heading south anyway as Dixon recruiting was poor. I just can’t fault the players here. But whoever is the next coach will face a bigger rebuild than Stallings had. But the players are simply over matched and the talent is simply not gong to make a material difference going forward. But Luther, the transfer and a bring in a real player or two and you have the makings of a team that an compete for the middle of the pack next year. .

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  26. Chet, I think we would all be thrilled to be in the middle of the pack next year. I’m just not sure it’s possible at this point.

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  29. Look out! This is by far the best they’ve played. Would love for them to know off ND. Pitt happens!

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  30. Wow, we are actually getting screwed. Sign of improvement that they have to screw us to win.

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  31. Carr gets a charge that wasn’t there. JWF gets hammered going for a layup, no call…. Such is PITT BB

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  33. Lead at 7 now. ND trying to their best to help keep the WASTE around. ND missed 12of last 14 shot attempts WOW!

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  43. I hope we win but this game doesn’t change my mind.. I hope it doesn’t influence Heather, either. Stallings must go.

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  48. In the infamous words of the late great Tom Petty; “and they went dowwnnnnnn swing’n”
    (Like Tommy Dorsey).

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  51. For a group of misfits these kids really impressed me today!
    Now I hope Heather the Presenter really impresses all of us soon!

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  52. You do realize BB will dominate the talk until Stallings fate is decided and if he goes talk will only increase. Possible removal of a head coach will always overshadow spring ball. Will try to limit it and concentrate on football, which is a whole nother kettle of fish!

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  53. With this loss Pitt extends its losing streak to a school-record 19 games. They now have the longest losing streak in all of Division 1. No other team is even into double-digits. Thanks Barnes.

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  55. The kids did fight hard at times and did not seem to give up. That’s a credit to them given the circumstances and to an extent the current head coach.

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  56. PSN says no buyout and Stallings would not lower the amount. If true he’s here next year.

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    2. If so promote him to associate AD in Charge of Shoes and give him a ‘George Costanza office’ in the Pete’s basement…

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  57. ND preordained to win by ACC to get team into NCAA
    But the kids really tried and that is better than some of our other teams at times

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  59. Kids played great, within themselves and even beyond their capabilities at times. Kid dribbling off his foot near the end was a killer as was the nonfoul called a foul on Colson over Carr’s back. Kids didn’t break. Pitt frosh players, to paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield, just did not get any respect, from the refs.

    NBA considering an eligibility rules change to do away with the one and done kids who come out of HS to go one fake year of college just to play basketball for that year. Consider Carmelo Anthony, Kyrie Irving and the lot. Might even the playing field for all colleges and maybe even Pitt.

    I am not ashamed that the Pitt freshman BB team were All-ACC academic kids. I am proud. Read the Pitt Blather article that Reed points out above on Pitt’s freshman players. Have too many of you forgotten how tough it was to be a college freshman, let alone a starting representative on your college’s big time basketball team? And then to be ridiculed for being a loser? Insult the adults who were supposed to groom them to be better, not the kids. Apparently their academic instructors did a better job with them. Good for Pitt and good for the kids.

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    1. Yes JA. That was one of 3 terrible calls against these young men in the last 2:30 minutes. Terrible way to end a most disappointing season for the players as I have seen effort the whole season. Sometimes the effort was misguided but none the less it was there, at least to me.

      The other two were the charge on Carr and JWF getting jacked-up on his head while driving for a layup.

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  61. Took a read of the PSN article and it made no sense to me what so ever. It states in that very article that Heather has said publicly that any discussions would not be held until after the tournament. I assume that was the tournament that PITT played in and finished a few hours ago.

    So it seems to me that PSN contradicted themselves or I did not comprehend the article or it wasn’t presented properly..

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  62. “If so promote him to associate AD in Charge of Shoes and give him a ‘George Costanza office’ in the Pete’s basement…”
    Haha I thought a similar thing, except I was going to stick him in the stinky nasty bathroom in David Lawrence Hall where nobody goes to poop (I always reserved the bathrooms in upper floor of alumni hall for that)

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  64. Maybe there is some way to keep continuity between these kids and the possible new coach
    I think they’re can grown into good players if effort is any indication
    Who knows what the BOT does

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  65. Unfortunately if you really watch that was a foul on Carr. Bonzi went straight up got the rebound and Carr just kept backing up underneath him. Maybe he was off balance, but still a foul.

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  66. This core of this PITT hoop team needs to stick together but they do need help. They also desperately need a new head coach. Another big man and ball-handler along with a year in the weight room.

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  67. The true reason for the loss was the coach not calling a TO once we had it to 3 with 8-9 minutes left as ND worked it the whole way back to 12. If he would have calmed then then, maybe at the 2-3 minute mark they are even or tied when he finally calls a TO. Not the kids, it’s the coach and most people know that.

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  68. Pitt will not spend the money to buyout KS and hire a good coach which means if he is fired, Pitt starts all over again.

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  69. It’ll get worse if they have to bring him back because he wouldn’t lower the buyout. Not saying I would lower it if I were him, just saying

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  70. Matt, that’s called boxing him out. Carr move a little and Colson was over his back. Carr just bent down further. It should have been a non-call and then a traveling. << differences of opinions buddy.

    NRS, correct, I hope not but I expect the wailing to follow the next hire the same way it did when KS was hired.

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  71. IMHO, Pitt’s hiring KS made no sense and after 2 years, it still does not make sense…Buyout Shmyout..time to move forward with a new coach…the lack of enthusiasm for KS is astounding…bags on the heads of Oakland zoo…too many empty seats at the Pete…this team peaked vs WVU and it has been a steady downward slide for this team since that game….the team was not even competitive in the ACC this year.

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  72. iKE @ 7:33,

    Hey, at this point I’m just hoping we can see if the wailing occurs over the NEXT hire! :>)

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  73. if heather wants this grant guy from charleston, he’ll be available in another 90 minutes

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  76. I actually hope CoC loses that game, maybe keep him a little under the radar, but do not count him out just yet. He does a nice job winning these types of games.

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  78. Someone on the Lair called today “the end of an error.”

    Very clever.

    We can only hope.

    Hail to Pitt.

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  81. Hope you guys are watching CoC game. Grant is what a good coach should be. Intense but calm. Look at his eyes, those are the eyes of a hunter, not prey. In OT now.

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  82. He may be a good coach but its tough for me to get too excited about a guy taking Northeastern (Not Northwestern) to overtime.

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  83. But if Pitt can get this guy for $1.5M over Matta at $3M, it would be a good value. I’ll give you that.

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  84. I tuned into the game as I am not going to subject myself to this fiasco this year. So I an not up to speed with the individual players game. Just some general thoughts. But after watching this game, be honest no one looked like a player who is on the come. I think a couple can contribute but no one is a program changer here. Next year can be better but really the recruiting is far worse than Dixons and unless is carving out his potential buyout to recruits, he simply has to go.

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  85. And that,ladies and gentlemen, is how you do it. At any level against any opponent, you look at how a man coaches. Heather, I hope you have already contacted this guy.

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  86. Chet, when was the last time PITT BB had a program changer? Adams could have maybe been one….

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      2. I don’t disagree Biff. Dejaun did have some talented help though. He could help this team in two or three years though.

        Terrell Brown was better than Adams their freshman years. It’s not understood enough how hard it is to play as freshman when you’re not of an elite status, especially without a D Blair on your team. What were Blairs numbers when he was a true freshman?

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        1. Not quite sure what a program changer is. It seems like it should be somebody that substantially changes the arc of a program.

          Pitt was doing fairly well before Blair arrived. The Elite Eight run was at the end of Blair’s sophomore year. Sam Young and Levance Fields drove those teams although everybody remembers Blair far more reverently. I agree with others below that Charles Smith and then Brandin Knight are the closest to what I perceive as program changers at Pitt.

          Looking at stats rather than relying on five year old eye tests, Steven Adams had a better freshman year than Brown. Not sure why you believe that Brown is better. Adams did benefit from playing with Woodall (senior), Patterson (junior) and Zanna (junior) although Woodall was injured for part of that season while Patterson and Zanna were first year starters.

          IMO Dante Taylor actually had a better freshman year than Brown while playing far fewer minutes. Dante was a freshman player who had to fit in among a bunch of first year starters.

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          1. while I believe Terrell Brown can be a pretty decent player (not a star but pretty productive), I agree that Ike is way off course here stating that Brown was better than Adams as a frosh. Without looking at the stats, I can guarantee that Adams had more offensive rebounds

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  87. I hope you had a chance to listen to Grant after the game. He’s a guy who has his priorities in order. Oh crap, I promised to not stump anymore for this guy, but he’s just so impressive. Well, we can only hope.

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    2. My kind of guy. High character and wins with a plan.

      Lyke has to cut ties with KS first.

      The slow dance in Pittsburgh begins tonight – we should raise funds for charities by pledging per day that KS is still the HC at Pitt. If he is canned, pledge per day until his replacement is hired.

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  88. My first point was no one is on the come meaning no one looks like the talent is big time. Pitt has never recruited well enough to have that many lottery picks. So yes correct I am observing no one is a must and will lead the program to great things. They played well today and competed.

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  90. I also have a feeling after today Pitt is looking for any way to keep Stallings and not make that payment. Stallings is not bending on that 10 million so no matter what we think, Pitt eats it or brings him back to dismiss him with 4 million after next year. I sense that is still the likely scenario.

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  91. but Pitt loses $12M next year in lost revenues, concessions, parking and merchandise sales…not counting dried up donations and damage to the brand equity
    so if you think $4M buyout next year, add another $12M. Thats $16M in cost
    Take the $10M buyout hit now and pay Matta $3M
    Save yourself $3M

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  92. Charles Smith, he came to PITT 34 years ago. Blair made an immediate impact on a veteran type team a decade ago.

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  93. Congratulations to Kevin Stallings for a record setting perfect ACC season. It took only 2 years to erase 15 years of competitive basketball. Although he was put in a no-win situation by empty suit Scott Barnes, the performance this season was inexcusable. Barnes and his search cronies set Pitt basketball back a decade. Time to demand a claw-back of all funds paid to Barnes…My money is on Matta for next coach if the administration can get their finances and priorities in line.

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  95. Here’s what we need more of this season in FB — a QB making plays and a defense getting sacks and interceptions…

    Go Pitt!

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  96. Yes. Billy Knight is it! Watched him often in the old Fieldhouse!
    Charles Smith a close 2nd.

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  99. with regard to last night’s conservation, I don’t know how Brandon Knight’s name was not mentioned when it came to a program changer. I’m not saying that he was Pitt’s best player, I’m saying that while he was the PG, the program changed dramaticallly for the better

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  101. Duzz was on for nearly a 1/2 hour

    — Pickett is THE man but Towne will get a good look in the spring .. but Pickett can do it all. Loves his attention to detail.
    — Reed should be happy to know that he gives himself a C grade .. and he felt the same after the two 8-win seasons. He said that in many ways, he thought the staff did a better job this year than the previous two.
    — He gives Heather an A grade for her first year (no surprise)
    — He never thought the tarp idea had any weight to it … and the best way to increase attendance is to win a championship
    — He was sold on the Kent State OT transfer after viewing the Clemson film. He also said that there is young talent on the OT that nobody knows about, but didn’t mention any names.
    — He said that his front 7 (defense) had much more depth now, and he really thinks the DL will step up under Partridge’s coaching. He really likes the DL performance at the end of the season.
    — He thinks the team is one year away from competing for a championship.

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  102. One more thing (per PG tweet)

    Pat Narduzzi on future of Pitt-Penn State series: “I know Heather’s worked her tail off trying to get ‘em, but there’s gotta be a marriage. They gotta wanna play us and I don’t see that right now.”

    He agrees that an OOC arrangement with a P5 team should be a home and home while mid-level teams should be strictly be a home game for Pitt.

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    1. jst thought of one more thing … when asked about Levian Bell (MSU alum who he knows well). PN thinks being labeled as a ‘franchise player’ is a great thing and Bell should be honored

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      1. actually …. it’s Le’Veon ,,, which I assume would qualify him for Pitt’s French brigade (or whatever it’s called) if he was in the locker room across the hall at SS facility

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  104. “but Pitt loses $12M next year in lost revenues, concessions, parking and merchandise sales…not counting dried up donations and damage to the brand equity
    so if you think $4M buyout next year, add another $12M. Thats $16M in cost
    Take the $10M buyout hit now and pay Matta $3M
    Save yourself $3M”

    Problem with this scenario is that it assumes the program is instantly fixed next year and sold out every game under a new coach. Won’t happen. Spending $10m only lets the rebuild start a year (or two) earlier

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  105. Don’t know about you guys but I can’t wait for Reeds QB article. Narduzzi did mention this morning that he thought this was the best dept at the QB position he’s had since coming to PITT. I know very little about the backups and only think I know anything about KP.

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  106. Interesting you would say that wwb, couple things on that subject

    Reed told all of us from the get go what he learned from some USC people and everything thing he told us turned out to be as good as gold

    He also raved about Nate P and he was dead right about that as well.

    So I would expect an accurate depiction but until anyone see’s the kid in some sort of a practice situation, then we really can’t be sure. … but any kind of feedback will be better than none at all.. . . .ike

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  109. Agree about Brandin Knight being in that small group of program changers. Smith played against stronger competition, but Knight was a one man band. Blair was remarkable, big strong and quick.

    So glad this season is done.

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  111. Seriously hope there is no QB controversy this year. We need Pickett to be a star.

    Let’s hope Narduzzi wasn’t blowin smoke regarding the O-line.

    I think the defense will be much stronger this year and we will have a pass rush.

    Maybe Salahuudin is the four star that outperforms as a freshman.

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    1. come to think of it … he did make mention that a really good QB and a RB can make a the OL look really good …. which I believe was mentioned here last week or so

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  113. ike.

    I think it’s the best I can do. I’m really trying but he needs to stop saying this kind of stuff or I’m going to have to stop posting.

    WIN the ACC? WIN? Not compete. WIN?

    Is someone burning toast? Or, am I about to have a stroke?

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  114. I can’t believe that Pitt would ever take a $10 million hit to cut Stallings loose. If he doesn’t agree to accept less, we can expect him to be back next year. Also, the comments he made in the closing press release suggest that he would regard leaving his young team behind as almost treason. And his players do appear to really be behind him, they stayed together and there were no cliques.

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  115. If he stays he will have to become more positively engaged with the students and fan base. This is an integral part of being a modern head coach. And this is the area in which he has failed miserably, even more so than that hot mess on the court. You can buy yourself an extra year if you do so. I just think he is old, and has no interest in doing that. Sort of like Paul ?Evans, and look how that turned out. Good coach, disappeared forever.

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    1. Can’t “become more positively engaged” if his family is still in Tennessee. As a coach, you are either all in or not in at all.

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  116. Agreed. He took this job for some extra cushion in retirement. Pitt fans (and their impression of him) are pretty low on his priority list right now I fear.

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  117. Take money out of the equation for a moment. Is he a good coach and recruiter? Based on his record, several incidents (Louisville and last year’s player runoff), his public persona, and his recruiting success at Pitt, I’d say that KS is not a good coach. If he’s not a good coach then fire him and move on. In other words, if there wasn’t a $10 million buyout, would you fire him? If the answer is ‘yes’, then fire him and figure out the buyout.

    As other have correctly said, this situation is going to cost you whether you keep him or not. So do what’s best for Pitt athletics.

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  118. I still say you need to have the next guy lined up first so we don’t get a lot of guys turning us down and creating another PR nightmare.

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  119. It also has to be someone worthy of season tickets or you are just digging a deeper financial hole.

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  120. I was a ten year Pete Season ticket holder…cancelled this past season as I could not justify spending 2K on a crappy sports product – glad I did, the product’s awfulness exceeded even my worst case imagined scenario.

    I support the kids as students and athletes but every day that goes past with that shoe salesman as coach lessons my ‘fan’ interest in the product even more. I grew up in North Carolina in the 1970’s – I am a die hard CBB junkie, it’s in my blood…in all my years I have never seen a major college program decline so rapidly as Pitt has done in the last 2 years. One more year and Pitt BB will be off my radar entirely.. this is a 3 alarm dumpster fire as it stand now.

    $10 Million buyout seems like a lot but it is peanuts compared to the long term damage KS has done to the Pitt Brand among fans, media, local business revenues, and potential recruits in just 2 years…not to mention that Pitt BBall is now the laughing stock among serious fans and media nationwide…

    I estimate I spent over $3.5k per season for 2 seats in the Pete’s Nosebleed section including food, drink, parking and ‘pre/post gaming’ at local Oakland watering holes;…can only imagine what the loss of high roller support means financially per seat to the University and to the local businesses in Oakland…and this is not even counting the piss poor TV ratings, loss of merchandise sales, loss of hits and ad revenues to Pitt Athletic web sites and general apathy that has arisen among casual Pittsburgh Sports fans…it will take a decade to recover if Stallings is allowed to crap all over the Pete one more year…and we will have lost an entire generation of young fans too…

    Having the real $$ numbers available to her, if ADHL brings back Stallings for one more year she will show me that she is borderline incompetent too.

    H2P

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  121. Pitt has rarely done what is best for Pitt athletics, or else Waanstedt would still be here. They got lucky in BB when they hired a couple of unknown coaches who happened to succeed pretty well. I really think that the administration believes that sports cannot be high profile as long as the funding problems continue in Harrisburg. The Paul Evans analogy is a good one, a good coach who rubbed certain people the wrong way and was fired. I will always remember his quote that if you gave him a good center and point guard, he could win with about anyone from the gym at the other positions.

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  122. I did not watch a single Pitt game this year. I am prepared not to watch a single game next year if Stallings is back, which I fear he will be. Please fix this Heather, BOT and Mr. Physics!

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  123. OK, here is the quandary .. if no immediate announcement, it probably means IMO that a contract buyout is being negotiated. If impasse

    Will he stay or will he go? Queue The Clash(?)

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  124. ^^ Barvo from above. (not a fan of the reply function) I don’t think Brown is better than Adams or D Taylor. My point was that those two had more experienced players around them their freshman years and from what I could tell, Brown improved throughout the season as he gained confidence. I think Brown’s season is comparable to Adams freshman all things considered. …

    No way can PITT keep KS. The damage is done and to deep to repair. Keeping him and the damage may become irreparable. PITT would be better off firing Stallings and letting Heather run the team. << That’s how bad it is… ike

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    2. Sorry, as you no doubt recognize I use the reply. There’s no ambiguity or searching.

      I agree. Brown certainly improved to the point that I think he has the most promise on the roster. He became more physical and his shot blocking was there nearly all season. That bodes well for him as a defender and rebounder. The big problem for him, as it seems it is for many bigs, is learning how to play without fouling. He committed to Pitt with promise as a shooter. If he can develop that game inside the arc he will have a lot of value.

      Under Stallings I’m not sure that will happen since it’s a five out, weave around the arc, take bad 3s or dribble out the shot clock kind of offense. Therefore I’m with you there too. Stallings needs to go.

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      1. On a busy day, replies can be lost to all but who is being replied too. I guess that can be a good thing every now and again?

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  125. Brown improved over the year. KS gave him no development time before Luther got hurt which was idiotic. So he was thrown to the fire against ACC teams.

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  126. I agree wwb, if there is NO announcement from PITT fairly soon, it could mean the firing proceedings may have commenced.

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  127. Both Brown and Peace would have benefited from a redshirt year. But of course you could say that about all the freshmen, except maybe Carr. He probably gained the most from playing. I think he has a lot of upside with the right coaching and a more defined system.

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  128. Re: Pitt vs PSU playing FB…Pitt has no room to cry foul. We are treating WVU the exact same way PSU treats us with regard to a long term scheduling commitment. It is unbecoming for Pitt to beg PSU for a long term commitment and just as unbecoming for Pitt to treat WVU the way we have on the same subject…Ms. Lyke, make your best effort with PSU, and when they respond in their usual arrogant fashion, sign a long term FB scheduling commitment with WVU and forget about PSU!

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    1. Exactly. She should come out and say we tried, they want to play an easier schedule…..and never ever bring it up again.

      Do the same with WVU.

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    2. agree 100 percent
      Although I would not even counter at this point. If you could get WVU next year I would get out of the PSU game next year. ( Just a dream, but would be a great FU)

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  130. Buyouts should be pretty easy to complete. It’s just a matter of agreeing on the number. Maybe Heather is in the process of tapping alums’ pocketbooks to see what can be gathered up from the outside before the deal is done. If they can package the $10 million, KS has no say in the matter and will be gone. The PR would be too negative if Pitt were to pull the money out of depleted university budgets, so I think this deal rides on getting sufficient outside money. BTW, any new coach would want a similar deal with huge buyout given the treatment KS gets..

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  132. I would suspect talking to, and lining up interested parties also is going on, or at least should be. One of the biggest blunders the former head of the NCAA selection committee made is not having a coach ready once Jamie was shown the door. I mean, it’s not like he didn’t know it was happening!

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    1. Exactly and IF Pitt has decided to keep KS for another year, whose to say he wants to stay and listen to the noise.

      HL has to have a list of real replacements regardless of the decision in hand.

      As a Pitt fan I can’t get too excited with Lucy holding the ball.

      Now, if it was a golf ball…never mind.

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  133. As we also know, Jamie wasn’t the number 1 plan either…..

    It’s fun playing the what if and who it should be game but the realism in me says we don’t know 10% of the goings on in Oakland Pa…

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  134. JoeKnew, many head coaches currently under contract cannot negotiate a deal while still employed, or they will forfeit salary or must pay a termination fee. Some actually have some morality, and will not discuss a future job until it is actually open. It is unseemly for a potential coach to say that if a school will just go ahead and fire its current coach then he/she will take the job. That kind of person would probably not show any loyalty to Pitt if a more prestigious job would then come open..

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  135. By the way, Dom Cosentino must have read my mind about that absurd last second shot at the end of the first half of the Virginia game… I mentioned this a while ago as the low point of a horrible season.

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  136. FWIW, Tyler Boyd was absolved of any wrongdoing last summer when his car was wrecked and the driver had pot. Apparently, Boyd had lent his car out but was not even in the car during the accident.

    This will make UPItt unhappy

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  137. Two likely scenarios. Which do you choose…

    Stallings stays another year. Keeps pretty much the same roster with addition of Kingsby, Golden and potentially another. Luther and Ellison back.
    Pitt hires some career assistant or unheard of coach, most of the roster leaves and they start over with the same results next year. Maybe a few wins. If lucky, they will be in the same place next year as if they had kept KS.

    The scenario that will never happen…

    Pitt hires a named coach that keeps the good from the roster, brings in some top recruits and Pitt is a middle of the pack ACC team next year.

    I am torn….only because I believe Reed that Pitt puts academics first. I have zero belief they will hire a guy that can fix (back to Dixon glory days) the program fast (2 years). There is zero history to suggest otherwise.

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  138. Precisely, NRS. I think they will pick your first choice to keep the current group of kids.

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  139. I think this process can compare to jury deliberations……the longer it goes, the more likely the defendant will be found not guilty. In this case, the longer it goes, the more likely KS gets another year.

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  140. Dan above ^^ not from Heaven but a few posts up.. The PITT football team will be a more complete team this coming season than any since “King Pat” arrived. Which btw, anyone who calls Narduzzi a name like that and then contests any accusations of him not liking the guy is in the Nile. Their record may not end up indictaing this but their play sure should.

    Not making any excuses for this team yet but I’ve always been the type of fan that watches the game with my head first and suffer in silence while my heart heals itself second. I may not be the absolute biggest PITT football fan but I know I’m tied with the biggest for first place, with all you other guys and gal…. ike

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  141. Just wondering, can Ms. Lyke insist that there are changes to the assistant coaches and potentially bring on someone herself with the plan to actually replace KS the following year? She would even announce that. Perhaps a tactic to make KS more uncomfortable than he already is and potentially get him to consider a reasonable buyout. I realize the poor press for Pitt but it’s already there today.

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  142. How about we keep Stallings as director of basketball operations,and hire a new head coach.

    Give Stallings an office, make him a recruiting analyst. It would be cheaper and we might actually get something for our money.

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  143. I’m doing two articles, one on the QB position and another very in depth article about Ricky Town.

    Interesting story to say the least…

    If someone could rip our a DL article or Special Teams article I’d very much appreciate it as I have volunteer commitments for the next three days.

    Otherwise it may be next week for something new.

    BTW, I agree with Narduzzi one his “C” grade so far… disagree with the talent level to win ACC this year.

    Just don’t think the departed position coaches did their jobs very well so I very much wonder if HCPN’s early recruits are ready to play at this level and really produce.

    …and my jury is still out on Hartley as the LBs coach…they haven’t been very good over his three years here.

    But this truly is a fun part of the year when speculation runs rampant.

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  144. The Pete will avg 2k next year if KS returns
    With a new coach they should be back up to 8k (still nowhere near capacity but a huge improvement)
    so the difference is 6k per game over 18 games is $8M
    That figure excludes the loss of several more millions in donations and millions lost in brand equity
    So anyway you slice it, pay the Rockports coach his $9M and move on

    Like

    1. 8k is assuming they win. I don’t see Pitt hiring a coach that will upgrade the team next year to a winning one. I want the change….I just think Pitt isn’t up for doing it big time like they should to fix the problem.

      Like

      1. they will win more than zero games in the acc next year
        the excitement and hope alone will draw fans in and will prevent season ticket holders from cancelling

        Like

  145. Stallings is getting paid over $300k per win
    when you add the buyout thats $1.5M per win this year
    Pitt should have no business being in athletics

    Like

  147. I don’t understand the thinking that the current roster is going to ALL leave if WASTE is removed. Where did this come from? Is it generally assumed that the next coach will destroy the current roster like WASTE did? Is he such a beloved and fatherly figure that the team couldn’t imagine playing for anyone else?

    By the way, what does it really matter if most of them do leave. There are about 3 guys on the current roster that MAY have potential to be something in 2 more years. Luther is a nice player too but why would he go? He decided to stay here after EVERYONE left last year. He seems committed to the University not the coach.

    Like

  148. There are hundreds of ways to approach a coach to gage his interest without compromising him or the institution. Coaches and schools are used to working around that all the time, and I mean all the time. Shouldn’t be a major problem. You know what buyout is, go from there.

    Like

  149. Rumor holds KS wants the full banana to walk.
    I cant blame him. I think all of us, in his situation, would do the same.
    Plus, many of these guys can’t give it up. Instead of playing with the grandkids and drinking Old Fashioneds, they want to recruit and do camps and get their nose bloodied by the press.
    That said, I will still root for Pitt all the while praying Herman is eventually held responsible.

    Liked by 1 person

  150. The Stallings contract has got Pitt right behind the eight ball. A not so young coach doesn’t need to negotiate for any buyout below what’s written in his contract. Just play out the remaining years and get paid the remaining $10 million he’s owed. At the end of the Pitt contract he can go off into the sunset a rich man to enjoy his retirement.

    Like

  151. Does anybody know who (1) wrote the contract, (2) what was the approval process for the contract, and (3) was there any institutional control over the whole process?

    My opinion: Whoever wrote it should never be allowed near another contract. Whoever approved the contract was truly incompetent, and didn’t know what (s)he was doing. If the whole process took place within Barnes’s office, Gallagher is responsible for this whole mess.

    As a former attorney (who dealt with contracts all the time), I am totally dumbfounded by all this.

    Like

  152. Sheesh, talk about rubbing salt into a wound…Boston College upsets NC State and advances to the tourney Quarterfinals….

    Like

  154. Yup, the same BC that’s 13-69 in league play with that coach. Something we should aspire to, stay the course!

    Like

  155. Guys – KS is not the guy to turn things around. His ceiling is the NIT. We need a coach that can get Pitt to Elite 8’s. Matta, Crean, Hurley and yes Grant. You sold me Joe.

    Like

  156. You shouldn’t be so sarcastic JoeK. I was only pointing out a fact. This program began it’s downward fall before KS got there.

    Like

  157. Truth is, I cannot blame KS for wanting every cent he was promised. We would all do the same. The guy came here in good faith to build on an existing strong basketball program, only to find the cupboard bare and the players and fans in insurrection. The Seniors break his rules, show no leadership, and the AD who hired him then bails out, leaving him with no institutional support. The fans abandon him big time and make him the subject of ridicule. Bags over the heads before the end of year two. He recruits three years of players in one year, only to find that he is criticized for not getting wins out of Freshmen. Give this man a break, guys…

    Like

  159. VoR, Sorry, but Stallings new exactly what he was getting into with his team. He was an experienced head coach who couldn’t handle a couple of 22 yr olds. He knew he would have to replace at least 7 kids, and ran the rest off. He had at least 18 months to recruit. Ask yourself, why did one of his best recruiter choose to go back to James Madison? And he never moved here either. Also, ask yourself what Stallings ever did to engratiate himself to the fan base. He isn’t the first guy to replace a well liked coach.
    I might have expected a young coach with limited experience to struggle with these things, but not a guy with well over 20 yrs experience.

    Like

  160. I agree VOR 100% and I also agree that his time was short but it’s time for him to go. I say again and to answer Pete’s comment yesterday. The way KS was treated from the start was bush league from the fans. Sure the way he was hired and get this, his appearance of all things wasn’t and still isn’t on the man. Yet the minute after he was hired he was ridiculed un-mercilessly. I don’t buy the bunk about KS, fans were just unhappy they didn’t get their man.

    Same thing is about to repeat itself.

    BTW making fun of his appearance is funny to me. Funny in the way when the POV has a round-table and many are unwilling to participate and to show what they look like. Ironic I say. Kiddie stuff.

    That said, his coaching left me baffled. I do wonder where JD’s 5th year recruits are right now but.. .. It’s time to move on… ike

    Like

    1. I dont think it was bush league by the fans
      Fans just dont turn on you unless you give them good reason
      Let me count the reasons
      1. alienated fans from the first presser
      2. had a senior laden team that he could not control
      3. recruited a bunch of stiffs that no other ACC school even approached
      4. failed to develop his players over the course of the year
      5. rarely engaged the Zoo
      6. cant even break his own clipboard
      7. can’t even spring for a better brand of shoes
      8. family still down in Tennessee
      9. was a bill of goods
      10. and gladly makes $300k per win

      Like

      1. Stallings was hated before the presser. THAT’S MY POINT ABOUT BEING UNFAIR! The shoe and shoe-salesman, otis and all the rest of the kiddie name calling. I ask you Tx, is that not bush league garbage?

        Like

        1. Sometimes people are very deserving of their names and do everything to justify them.

          What other coach in Pitt history did any Pitt fan wear bags over their heads?
          There isnt one because it never happened until now

          Only school without a win in conference out of 400 plus schools
          0-24 in his last ACC games
          Attendance at 1982 levels
          Its bush league he’s collecting a check

          Like

  161. Ike, and also, the downward spiral was making the NCAAs Jamie’s last year. Yup, plummeting.

    Like

    1. Artis and Young, Artis being a nut job rule breaker. Name a few other players that Jamie left behind?? Cam Johnson that’s it. What a cupboard of players?

      Like

  162. He’s going to get $9M breaks with his buyout
    Pitt cannot afford an empty Pete and alienating big time boosters and season ticket holders
    He is a bad fit and his ceiling is the NIT
    Your $50 basketball ticket should have higher value than ZERO ACC wins, an RPI ranking of 216, and a slight chance at a NIT bid
    I’m not sorry for him one bit. He knew what he was walking into and continued to alienate fans and failed to adjust
    Most coaches could have gotten more wins out of a wet paper bag
    He can go back to Rocky Top where his family lives

    Liked by 1 person

  163. JoeKnew, Seniors are handled by sitting them down and playing backups. Stallings had no backups. I can’t believe he knew the talent situation at Pitt when he took the job. What happened with Louisville? Two suspensions for Artis. I’d like to know more about the situation where the assistant went back to James Madison, but could have been family issues. You must admit that he ran into a perfect storm of negativity when he got here, from the introduction on.

    Like

  165. Tx is right no need to feel bad.. the guys a multimillionaire ! It’s all so crazy…..,coaching a game ….

    Sometimes I just want to say “ the Hell with all sports” but I am reminded they/sports are entertainment businesses

    Like

  166. KS wants out at that buy out. It is that simple. If Pitt offers him less, he is either back or fired for cause and then the litigation begins. Pitt hired him, reviewed the terms of the deal, approved the contract and failed to structure the contract in a way to protect Pitt if Stallings is a complete failure. I don’t know if that is the case but KS is owed close to 10 million if he is let go. He has 4 years remaining on hos contract and consider his income next year at over 2 million, For me I put lipstick on the pig and hope for the best next year. Then Pitt is in a position of strength and can let him go. If the team plays better, that is a bonus. Is Pitt BB going to make money next year? No. Lets say Pitt wins 5 or 6 games next year. That opens up a larger consideration for a coach to come here and not hold Pitt hostage.

    Like

  167. The downward spiral started BEFORE Stallings? Dixon made the tourney his last year. The following year Stallings had TWO players on the roster who are playing professionally and a third that’s starting for the #12 team in the nation- and went 4-14 in the ACC. FOUR WINS! Then 0-18 this year. ZERO wins!

    Anybody that is trying to justify keeping him here another year would be recommending the crew of the Titanic “sit tight” and start bailing with kitchen pots.

    We’ve hit a large, balding iceberg, my friends and this ship is sinking fast. I say we toss out a life preserver and hope we reel in a good coach!

    Like

  168. Barnes might have nudged ahead of Smug Steve in the race for administrative incompetence. Smug probably did more but Barnes did his in only 18 months, so he was much more efficient. The $10M buyout clause given to a coach who was about to be fired is unconscionable (to use a legal term)

    If Pitt can’t sue, Heather at least must hire a hitman to rid the world of Barnes

    wwb

    Like

  169. VoR, if we ever meet Ill fill you in on that, defiantly not family issue.. Many ways to handle two players with NBA asperations.
    If you ever changed jobs I’ll bet you did your homework and learned everything you could about that company and corporate culture. Did he do that? Then he sure should have known. If not, was he just happy to have a job, and orgasmic when he saw the contract, so much so he’d sign up for anything??
    I will say the backlash was brutal. But it’s how you handle that situation, and you have to be fair and ask did he do anything to reach out and improve it with students, fans, or administrators?

    Like

  170. Stallings? About to be fired by Vanderbilt and lands a job at PITT. Now, about to be fired by PITT but not without a $10,000,000 buyout. Yet he’s referred to as Otis. LOL! Calling someone a name makes you all Otis.

    Like

    1. I’m sure Kevin can handle the insults
      He’s walking off with $9M of undeserved money
      Oh what Hell he served in his 2 years at Pitt
      Cry me a river

      Like

      1. Try again Tx, you’re the one crying the loudest. I’m not and certainly Stalling isn’t. Try reading my comment again.

        Like

  171. I can only hope a recent conversation inside the Pitt offices went something like this. Says the female AD to the chancellor “WELL, YOU’RE THE A_HOLE THAT SIGNED THE F_ING CONTRACT!”

    Like

    1. Sure does explain why the Stallings family is still in Nashville.

      Click on the twitter link Joel provided.

      Like

  173. KS has had 2 full years to prove the media wrong. I guess the media was right. And his wife has $2.5M reasons each year to forget about it. Shes back in Tennessee anyway.

    Like

  174. So I suppose if the coaching hire was Crean or Matta we wouldn’t need to wait to get word until after the Big Dance since neither is working at this time. Anyone else means waiting for a while. Man, I hate this….

    Like

  175. texasguy I think I stated this before us fans in old section 22 during the I can’t Hackett time wore bags over are head that said I can’t Hackett

    Like

  176. I stand corrected then. But we all knew what HackJob did to Pitt football. I dont think it comes close to KS though and you guys didnt make TV for all the world to see. Pitt then makes the mistake of hiring Majors back. Pitt can ill afford to make a mistake with this new hire. I dont want that physicist or the BoT involved at all. This is all on Heather because she deserves full credit or blame. Thats her job that she signed up to do.

    Like

  177. Totally depressing, to say the least. JoeKnew, you have convinced me that Pitt needs to write the check and move on. KS must be an SOB to work and play for. Hopefully, there will be enough left in the cookie jar to hire a decent coach with at least a chance of success.

    Like

  178. VoR, I’m honestly not sure what he’s like personally as I don’t know him. I can comment on his coaching, recruiting, and limited interactions with students and fans. He just leaves a lot to be desired. None of us, and I do mean none of us would not have signed that contract. We would have sold our brothers once we saw how it was structured Heck, Upitt would have bought half of Estonia with that.
    I really do wish there was some recourse with Barnes over the way the hire occurred. But let’s make one thing crystal clear. This hire will be on Heather. She also knows upfront what she has to work with. She is in charge. This is her moment,can’t blame anyone else. I honestly hope she’s up for the challenge. On this I think we all can agree.

    Like

  180. I can’t stress enough how big a moment this is for her. Any future ambitions she has will be defined by this hire,or non hire. She can make her bones on this one. Does she have the brass ones to hire someone like Grant?
    Also, am I the only one who has a perverse sense of excitement when there is a coaching hire? I mean I love it. The chance to improve the program, set a new course, or a totally numb feeling of” you are kidding,right?”.

    Like

    1. Huh? Didn’t hurt Barnes and his actions in the Stallings hire were borderline unethical.
      Pitt fans need to realize that other universities look at people that come from Pitt and say “Oh well that’s Pitt so that kind of stuff happens over there! it won’t happen here.”

      He’ll, we just saw Renaldo Hill, who may have been our worse position coach ever, get an NFL modeling the same thing at a much higher salary of around $400K.

      Like

  181. What ticks me off is that nobody at pitt is being held accountable for this mess. I understand that the AD is long gone, but he did NOT operate in a vacuum. And if he did, who allowed it? This is a $10M+ mistake including all sources of lost revenue. BoT should be embarrassed for allowing this to happen. But instead it’s blame blame blame.

    Like

  183. One other thought. I go crazy when talking heads get all excited over us staying close with ND. Honestly, there’s not a team in the ACC we match up better against. They are small and slow. Everyone gets all excited. We should look good against that matchup. So very,very,overrated.

    Like

  184. After seeing that New York Post article, I’m convinced that things need to happen quickly to avoid a total destruction of the brand. The brand affects everything from fund raising to recruiting, and if they don’t move quickly the damage will take years to overcome. They need to accept that the buyout must be spent and then tap all outside resources quickly to get this done. We don’t want to be behind the curve on other vacancies grabbing up the good candidates..

    Like

  186. Here’s your $9 Mill Mr Rockports. You deserved none of it. Now go back to Tennessee and dont let the door hit you on your way out. Damn Thief.

    Like

  187. Over 3,000 donors gave $9m+ for Pitt’s Day of Giving. I understand that they are different “buckets” but the thought of stallings getting taking that much and more makes me want to vomit.

    Like

  188. This week I will be the biggest UGA fan in the country. If they don’t have a big run in the SEC Fox will likely be gone, and frankly, Grant is a better fit for them. Crap

    Like

  189. I don’t see Heather-the-Presenter having the financial wherewithal to can KS and offer a new coach the same deal he would, understandably, demand.
    From Jaimie’s reduced buyout to KS’s botched search-firm hire, to this buyout, to the expected demands on the next coach, Herman’s bungling is like a virus that keeps growing and growing.

    Like

    1. Gasman, after reading the first sentence of your comment, are you suggesting that Heather pays the KS buyout out of her own pocket?

      You do realize that every AD past and present has their hands tied behind their backs to some degree?

      Like

  190. The boosters who are paying for the BoT and Gallaghers mistake will be asking for favors. Thats how it works. Gallagher is not going to come out of this clean. He really should stay away from athletics and go back to measuring atoms.

    Like

  191. Pitt cannot afford to get into a bidding war over potential coaches. As it is, they don’t pay top dollar, and now must make the big payout to Stallings. I just hope that some benefactor comes forward with a big donation to bail them out. ike, you re right that the AD has only limited potential to make this payout happen. But they have a phone to use to call the past players and doners to put the package together.

    Like

  192. Ike,
    That’s a lot of scratch for a BOT to approve, particularly when they are accustomed to working on the cheap.

    Like

  193. A concern I always have with these coaching searches is that you normally can’t “sign, seal, and deliver” that coach until your coach is gone and the new guy’s team is done playing.

    Now I get it that you can have back-channel communications, but the problem is that the guy’s current team, or some other team, can make a counter or better offer. Then you’re back to square one – especially if the available money ties your hands.

    This is quite an experience for Heather… I wish her well.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  194. It’s what she signed up for. This will be one of many tough decisions with this athletic department. Wait till she has to fire Susie.

    Like

  195. Absolutely JoeK, couldn’t agree more. Myself, I’ll define and judge what sort or type of an AD Heather is moving forward. Not just because she was hired. She was never responsible for what was but she should be held accountable for what will be.

    If I didn’t know any better I would never guess that Pittsburgh was a big part of this country and unions. They were and are still a big part of this country. Part of what unions are founded on are to give the worker an honest chance before casting aspersions upon them.

    Unions were also founded on common sense… ike

    Like

  196. Here is Otis’ presser when he first got hired. Note the Pitt Blue & Gold tie and Pitt Lapel pin.

    Like

    1. So we know he has a Pitt blue & gold tie and a Pitt lapel pin. So why didn’t he wear the schools colors once during this season, or the lapel pin. Last game he wore Creepy Valley State tie.

      Like

  197. I asked before because I was out of town, but what happened to Upitt? I miss the outrageous and rather funny posts. Anyone care to fill me in?

    Like

    1. Apparently some of folks with no sense of humor and believe me you need a sense of humor (as in dark humor) to be a Pitt fan, applied some pressure to make Upitt go away. Unless he neutered himself.

      Like

  198. Reed – If you’re still looking for position articles, I could put something together on special teams, if you like.

    Like

  199. If I’m Heather, I fire Stallings for cause and make him sue for the money. Easy to find cause. Just ask any Corporate Exec. Bad language, demeaning the players, basically mailing it in as a coach,
    wearing a Penn State thie…anything. We have a law school.

    Meeting is at 9AM tomorrow in Heathers office. Go get em Fanta Woman!

    Like

  200. Want to immediately become the greatest AD at Pitt Heather? Fire Stallings and the announce a new exploratory committee for an OCS or NCS

    Like

  201. The current BB situation we find ourselves in is DIRE, to say the least. Our brand has been diminished, we are the laughing stock of the ACC and for that matter the entire NCAA division 1 basketball nationally! We will look like total idiots, worthy of being kicked out of the ACC if we stick our heads in the sand and ignore the STENCH of this situation and not change anything for next year. Somebody at Pitt needs to wake up tomorrow morning and smell the manure in the coffee and say WE SIMPLY CAN NOT SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING – WE MUST ACT NOW or lose ALL credibility in athletics. For the “Pete’s Sake” somebody grow a pair and grow them NOW!!! The money, in this situation, is definitely secondary BUT action is absolutely necessary!!!

    Like

  202. I’m with you Dan, fire Stallings for cause and let it play out in the courts. Stallings will probably win but it will drag out any payouts Pitt has to make over the next couple of years. If nothing else Stallings may see the light and possibly settle for less than the almost $10 million owed.—If nothing else it will make for some great press and every stupid comment and transgression Stallings ever made or undertook over the past couple of years will surface.

    Like

  203. The Narduzzi interview with jerry DiPaulo interview in the TribReview yesterday was enlightening IMO. Gave himself a C grade for his first 3 years(I agree). Also thinks we can challenge in the Coastal this year with a little luck and if we stay healthy(I also agree). Speaks glowingly about Pickett and what he may mean for our passing and running going forward(And once again I agree).

    Like

  205. KDKA also reports that possible dismissal for cause is being considered. If tthats true then Ms. Lyke is playing hard ball.

    Like

  206. Great catch on the ties, Emel. I often wondered this year at his choice of ties for games . That is a passive-aggressive form of rebellion. I don’t think he wants to be here anymore than we want him. Hopefully this meeting can find a settlement that all can agree upon. Continuing with KS would be madness.

    Like

  209. UPitt is on LOA… He’s at Pitt pulling Heathers strings to rid us of this Dicksock Rockport salesman… Problem with those Rockports and I have tried several pairs- “ they don’t last long!” The soles wear out.

    Like

  210. Just heard on The Fan

    — from Pitt boosters, Stallings was offered $7.5M to leave but refused
    — from Stallings camp, no offer has been made
    — they are allegedly meeting today

    Like

  211. If any of these reports are true that Stallings has coached his last game at PITT. He’s essentially already fired. So you guys get your Andy Toole jokes ready. >> Heather Lyke’s to use Toole’s

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  213. Posted weeks ago Pitt will offer Stallings a reduced buyout. He wants his full amount and I expect this will be a case where Pitt fires him for cause and then the litigation begins. PITT IS NOT CUTTING A CHECK FOR CLOSE TO 10 MILLION. He didn’t come close to earning that in Pitt’s eyes and the message is to do your f’n job or else.

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    1. I don’t think they can find cause against Stallings. If any lawsuit is to be made, it has to go against Barnes and maybe the search firm. Barnes was a Pitt employee and had an an obligation to the university which he failed to do, not only in interviewing only one candidate but giving KS a ridiculous buyout.

      Gallagher can claim naivety (which is obvious) … and the reason for hiring Barnes was to counsel him as to what is the best for the college (yet instead, it’s quite apparent was representing KS.)

      Like

  214. Sure looks Lyke Heather is a little more than what some have suggested. It was always about timing. No way do you approach a college head coach in the middle of the season about being fired. It’s just never done like that.

    So it’s two birds down with one rock. Stallings gone and Heather looks like a good to competent athletic director. Some puppet she is?

    Like

    1. a contract is a contract … see my post above. Cause is not losing 19 straight. Cause is a morals charge or not showing up for practices , etc. I can’t see where Heather has any leverage here.

      Like

      1. Agreed. It’s a question that gets asked everyday (albeit on a smaller scale) – when does gross underperformance become misconduct? Also, plenty of rumors flying around about stallings travel. Doubt they carry much weight though, especially if he was already offered $7.5M. Time will tell…

        Like

  216. Folks, here is the schedule for Spring Practices…Ill go up for the Pro Timing Day and the Spring Game for sure, and probably one other.

    Please note the following spring practice coverage guidelines:

    Interview Coordination:

    All coach and player interviews must be arranged through Pitt’s football media relations contacts, E.J. Borghetti and R.J. Sepich. There will be general media availability following most practices, including the following specific opportunities:

    Coach Pat Narduzzi Press Briefings:

    Coach Narduzzi will address the media at the conclusion of most workouts. Requests for lengthier one-on-one interviews should be made at least 24 hours in advance to E.J. Borghetti.

    Player and Assistant Coach Interviews:

    Players and assistant coaches are available for brief interviews (5 to 10 minutes) following each practice with media access. Lengthier interview requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance to the media relations office.

    Photography:

    When granted access during open practice windows, video cameramen are not permitted to shoot 11-on-11 drills or formations. Please consult a media relations staff member if you have any questions regarding video guidelines and what can be filmed. All photographers (video and still) should shoot from the sidelines and refrain from stepping onto the practice field.

    Additional Guidelines:

    Live blogging and tweeting during practice is prohibited. Detailed reporting of practice scripts and personnel groupings is also not permitted.

    2018 PITT FOOTBALL SPRING DRILLS MEDIA SCHEDULE (subject to change)

    Monday, March 12

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Tuesday, March 13

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Thursday, March 15

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Saturday, March 17

    Practice Closed

    Tuesday, March 20

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Wednesday, March 21

    Pitt Pro Timing Day (Schedule of workout times TBA.)

    Thursday, March 22

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Saturday, March 24

    Practice Closed

    Tuesday, March 27

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Thursday, March 29

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Tuesday, April 3

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Thursday, April 5

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Saturday, April 7

    Practice Closed

    Tuesday, April 10

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Thursday, April 12

    Practice: 9:05-11 a.m.
    Viewing Window: 9:05-9:35 a.m.
    Interviews: 11:15 a.m. (Coach Narduzzi briefing/select players and assistants)

    Saturday, April 14

    Blue-Gold Spring Game: 1 p.m.
    Heinz Field

    —PITT—

    Like

  218. Sounds good Reed thanks and hey, give your buddy Pat a good slap on the back from me!

    That’s the other thing, it’s easy to say fire the man with a contract and give him 4 million just like that. It’s a little more complicated than that. Now Stallings may not want all this bad blood and accusations flying around so he’s going to accept a little less than what he is owed I suspect.

    Like

  219. Well, at least his viewing window is consistent. Maybe one day he will be less insecure, see the benefits and open it up a bit more.
    Also, if Mark was in fact forced out I think our group is poorer for it. He was over the top outrageous but I for one really enjoyed him. Hope he comes back. Like the crazy uncle you roll your eyes at, then later realize he was right!

    Like

  220. I am hearing from a number of sources that Stallings will be told that he can accept a smaller buyout or be terminated WITH cause- and Pitt feels it has a compelling case.

    As for upitt.. He’s gone for now. Maybe he’ll be back but not anytime soon.

    Like

    1. I’m hearing the same on KS.

      HL’s list of replacements looks lyke this –

      Thad Matta (ties with tOSU and he can start tomorrow)

      Tom Crean (he can start tomorrow)

      Nathan Davis – Bucknell (his team is going dancing)

      Earl Grant – CoC (his team is going dancing)

      Pat Skerry – Towson ((he can start tomorrow)

      5A. Brandon Knight – Rutgers Asst. (he can start tomorrow)

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  221. ike.

    What was all that earlier chatter about unions? You’re point must’ve gone over my head.

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  222. Jay, that was about growing up in a union friendly part of the country that it wouldn’t be so hard to accept someone having a job and respecting the fact until proven otherwise. Basically for hammering Heather without knowing a thing about her. << Which we really don’t.

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  223. ike.

    Let me say respectfully that that has nothing to do with unions. pro-union or anti-union, you can’t make the statement that respecting someone in their job is “union-related.” Everybody should be given the benefit of the doubt– based on all available knowledge.

    Stallings’ first day at Pitt wasn’t his first day as a coach, so his past is relevant. Many people, including myself, were underwhelmed at his resume and mediocre results at Vanderbilt. I also found him to be arrogant and crude. So, while I always want Pitt to win, I didn’t want him to stay.

    We did not hire a first-time coach, as we did with Narduzzi. I have given and will give Narduzzi the benefit of the doubt, as this is his first job. We really didn’t know what we were getting with his hiring. Stallings however, was a long-time coach and deserved no such benefit.

    To paraphrase the late Dennis Green, “He is who we thought he was!”

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