in Pitt Football 496 Words

Pitt’s Spring Practices Schedule

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—

179 thoughts on “Pitt’s Spring Practices Schedule”

  2. Just got a text from a knowledgeable guy about Stallings… apparently he used recruiting trips for personal travel to watch his son play ball and Pitt will cite anger management problems as a firing basis.

    This is unconfirmed folks but is interesting to say the least.

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    1. that would be cause …. I guess. Unless he only took 1 or 2 trips and had just a couple flare-ups … then it’s up to the court to decide.

      Of course, it’s all about Stallings avoiding a lawsuit and settling for a lesser amount

      Like

  4. PSN reporting he was fired. To me that doesn’t sound like he accepted any buy out to leave. I guess taking the supposedly $7.5 million he was offered wasn’t enough for him to leave gracefully. It’s going to get ugly IMHO.

    Like

  11. I throw this candidate in for JoeKnew and tOSU reference (news to me) –

    College of Charleston head coach Earl Grant and former Ohio State assistant

    Like

      1. no, according to wiki …

        2002–2004 The Citadel (asst.)
        2004–2007 Winthrop (asst.)
        2007–2010 Wichita State (asst.)
        2010–2014 Clemson (asst.)
        2014–present College of Charleston

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  12. I Lyke it. Fire him and worry about the consequences later. Aggressive approach which was well deserved.

    Next up, find the right coach. Hopefully this does not drag out.

    Tough job for many reasons. Stuck with existing players next year, and difficult school to recruit for the following year. Plus impatient fan base. This will be interesting.

    Job pluses. Pittsburgh is a great City to live in, especially when you make the big bucks. We are in the ACC, with exceptional facilities. Administration needs success BADLY. Little basketball competition in the City, so fans will come back if the product is good. Starting at the bottom so the only way is up. UPitt is on a hiatus.

    Like

  13. Lyke’s official announcement ended with .. a national search for the next coach will begin.

    As Filliponi commented …. at least it’s not … a national search firm.

    Of course, she may indeed use a firm but she obviously knows she’s under the microscope. It will be interesting to see how it is handled

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  14. Thank you Heather! In the business world when you are an exec and your company is bought out …you are offered 1 check when you are told the company will be moving on without you and another about 4x that amount if you promise not to sue.

    I’m sure Heatherhad built up a strong case for firing for cause. Misuse of travel money to see his son play baseball is an easy one. I am sure Pitt had him sign a code of ethics when he was hired.
    Verbally abusing your players, mailing it in by not calling time outs in critical game moments, wearing a Penn State tie and being an all round “prick” are others.

    Just renewed my season ticks and sent Pitt off some donation “$$$” which I’ve been holding since his hire.

    Now Heather, become Pitt royalty and announce a OCS exploritory committee !!!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Pitt BB really has no competition and can be a very successful program both branding and financially. When things were rocking, it really helped football recruiting. . With the ACC network coming on in 2019 and reversing the cash flow of Pitt BB are certainly positives here. With Duke,Syracuse,NC replacing legendary coaches soon, Pitt could be in better shape then it was before Stallings.

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  17. Where’s UPITT? He should be happy ol’Pappy Rockport so is fired and the baseball team is playing well.

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  19. Stallings firing was for cause. For refusing to wear a Pitt Blue & Gold tie the whole season. And then the final flagrant act…..wearing a Creepy Valley State tie. And for just being an a-hole !

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  21. JJ — under normal circumstances, I would agree with you…but these are not normal circumstances. I realize they are young and there is limited talent, but the team didn’t even TRY to get an offensive rebound until the last game. That is 100% coaching, and when the kids are FORCED to not even try to get an offensive board, it seems like he is intentionally trying to lose. The kids hustled as much as they could, but they were being coached to lose. Stallings actions as a coach made this move an absolute necessity.

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    1. I couldn’t agree more. Even with the 2016-7 veteran team, they would go in these scoring droughts with no back-up plan. His entire offense seems to be based on hitting perimeter shots.

      Stallings may be a better fit elsewhere .. good luck to him. But the fact remains that he should not have been hired at all.

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        1. I’m of no relation whatsoever to KS. Thanks for the comment though, it really added to the conversation.

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  22. Otis’s wiki page has been updated. And You’re welcome.

    Kevin E. Stallings (born October 1, 1960) is an American basketball coach, formerly serving as the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh, Illinois State University and at Vanderbilt University. He was an assistant coach at Purdue University and the University of Kansas.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Stallings

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  23. If they botch this hire I will be done with Pitt athletics. By botch, I mean hire some career assistant, low level coach or another crappy guy like KS.

    Get a name coach bring this program back!!!!!!

    I have no faith Gallagher and the BOT will do this correctly.

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  24. Heather handled this like a true professional. She didn’t do in the public’s eye, just did what she had to. After hearing how she’s just a puppet two dozens times everyday she proved that theory incorrect. ike

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Disagree with you a lot ike, but this comment is spot on.

      Feel like a fog has lifted and the sun is shining through the clouds…have not even been able to follow Pitt blogs this past season, made me physically ill thinking about what Barnes and Stallings have done to Pitt brand…now I understand what carpetbaggers truly are.

      Good Job Ms. Lyke – now show us your mettle.

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  26. If Heather hires someone you all get excited about she becomes an instant and hopefully not temporary rockstar.

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  27. ike.

    You actually have no idea whether she’s a puppet or not.. and certainly no more than those who called have called her a puppet (Let’s be clear, I am not one of those.) We don’t know if she was “encouraged” to make this decision.

    On it’s face, I give her 100% credit. She made the decision… or did she just “announce” a decision that came from above? Again, I have no idea.. and neither do you. It’s not like this was a difficult call. Basketball people across the country have been predicting this for weeks.

    Helen Keller, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder could have seen this ending from a mile away..

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  28. ike, I’m a bit concerned about this firing rather than negotiating a settlement. It might appear like Pitt was conjuring up some questionable issues to avoid the full payout. This could lead to a messy public display which could hurt the new coach hiring process. What does a buyout mean if a school will resort to litigation to avoid paying it? I certainly admire Heather’s toughness, but my biggest concern is getting the right coach and coming away from the process with integrity intact.

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  29. VOR.

    Contesting buyout dollars isn’t unique at all. In most cases, the amounts paid are much lower than the contractual amount. This is a non-issue.

    In the words of our Imperial Pumpkin, thinking this will effect the hiring process is, “Fake news!”

    Florida football just paid Jim McElwain $7.5M of his owed $13M buyout– for you WVU fans, that’s 50%. They then hired Dan Mullen. I think we’ll be ok. I’m far more concerned that we’ll screw this up.. again.

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  30. Congrats to Heather Lyke on this move. She deserves credit for it. The next test is a HUGE one. I hope she aces it as well.

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  31. Decourcey on the Fan interview … (correction from above, he is Sporting News BB writer)

    — he didn’t like hiring from beginning, and made it known
    — didn’t think KS record at Vandy was stellar, and “absolutely no reason to hire him at Pitt”
    — he agrees that due to empty seats, Pitt may be able to break even despite large buyout .. but of course, the new hire must be a good one
    — he thinks Pitt may be in better position now than 2016 to hire a decent coach because the bar is so low
    — he said “a good person with a good track record will succeed but Pitt failed in both counts two years ago when it hired Stallings”. YES, HE SAID THAT!
    — Matta, if healthy, would be a grand slam
    — Hurley would be good but he may be looking at what else will be available
    — he admits not knowing much about Earl Grant but says that he has been doing a real good job so far

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    2. Pitt should now sue Fathead Barnes for giving his boy KS the big extension. I’m guessing he got a kickback too.

      Like

  32. Heather IMO was probably planning on the potential difficulty with getting Stallings to agree on any reduced buyout number. If that’s the case then she has been very carefully documenting all area’s she might utilize to fire stallings for case. She had plenty of time to look over the stallings contract and so she knew well before hand what she was up against. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have Stallings followed by some outside sources(private detectives) for some time.

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  33. Jay91, if the issues are legitimate then fine. But a couple instances of questionable travel and anger issues don’t seem like enough to me. There also better be something in the file showing that they discussed these things with KS along the way. If the issues were flagrant then he should have been terminated during the year rather than waiting until the end of season. Sometimes the buyout can be reduced in exchange for offering up some good words about the coach and his tenure at the school, so that he can get another coaching job. This nasty separation would end up hurting both sides.

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    1. Using recruiting money to see his son play is stealing. He should be in jail, not the unemployment line.

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  34. I’ll rephrase then Jay. imo << (see you need to insert those 3 letters to make your point clear) Heather is not a puppet and nothing she has done since being hired indicates to me that she is. Some just seized the opportunity to call and refer to others with name calling… and no I’m not the POV police it’s just I for one don’t appreciate it.

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  35. VOR, It’s a bottom line drawn. PITT wanted rid of KS and KS wants all the money in the contract he signed states. It made me laugh when I read to simply fire him for just cause and give him 4 mill to hit the road, like it was that easy. It’s litigation time VOR, you know something about that? 🙂

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  36. Stallings is not lily white here. Along the way the contract was negotiated as if Stallings was in good standing per leaving Vandy. If I know a potential candidate is about to be fired for performance and isn’t leaving on his own volition, that along with Barnes lack of disclosure and due diligence, the hiring of the search firm by Barnes was a bad deal all around. Stalling may have told Barnes and or PItt that he was in fact going to be let go from his coaching job. If that is the case, how in the hell can anyone hire him and expect him to perform.

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  37. FHCKS (Former Head Coach – that sounds so sweeet!) Wearing the Penn State tie last game was a major slap in the face to the Pitt Alumni, financial supporters and loyal fanbase…that is enough due cause in my biased opinion.

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  38. @Ike, this is a funny thread. You had commented about people surely complaining about the next coaching hire. Heck we can’t even agree on how the last hire was terminated and whether he should have been terminated. Hard to believe there are still holdouts on terminating Stallings.

    I’m on board with giving Lyke credit regardless of whether she was strongly encouraged or ordered. It happened on her watch, she was surely at least part of the discussion if not the actual executioner, and she didn’t appear to have ever been a strong supporter of Stallings.

    She’s also replaced the underachieving women’s soccer coach. If she moves on SMS or at least her staff then it seems fairly clear to me that she doing her best to upgrade the performance of her program.

    Kudos Ms. Lyke.

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  39. VOR… it’s all in the lawyers hands. The court or arbitrators will decide.. it’s all about pesos and Stallings will be paying a lawyer…. for we faithful it’s all about the immediate result- him gone and cheering for the Iron Lady to hit it out of the park with a quality hire… she knows she stepped into a big pile of $hit her 1st day coming to work at Pitt.
    I am backing her. She will do the search correctly… hopefully, there is some interest out there… still have a lot of work to do to get back to being a contender..

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  40. Geez, I go to the gym for a couple hours and all hell breaks loose! Should have went more often!
    This was really the easy part, he just had to go. Now comes the make it or break it. I’ll say this. You want a coach who has a geographically similar profile. By that I mean someone who fits with your conference and recruiting footprint. You need the connections, just like we had in NY during the Big East days. Now it’s south. I would say Matta fits the bill due to his SEC days, and he is the biggest name out there. The other is Grant. Has recruited the ACC footprint successfully from .Clemson days as well as with .CoC. Question is can we get either. You might think Grant would jump at chance, but he is a southern guy, and .USC or UGA jobs might be coming open. I promise you, those two schools know who he is and will throw big bucks if they open their jobs.

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  41. I’m completely on board with the KS ouster. My only concern was the need to trash Stallings just to save $2-3 million. I suppose they will start by saying there is NO buyout due to cause firing, but they will end up giving him $5-6 million. Any potential new coaches must be watching this play out. Wouldn’t it have been better just to say they have decided to go in another direction and wish KS well? Just give him the money and say goodbye? To dig up past issues at Vandy as cause they would need to argue breach of contract. Again, this should have resulted in immediate dismissal when found, not at the end of season. I think most people would argue to just pay the man his money and move on.

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    1. there are so many things wrong this post, I don’t know where to begin

      Where did Pitt say anything at all other that KS was fired and a national search for his replacement would begin?

      Dig up past issues at Vandy? The recruiting trips to watch his son and his loss of control both occurred while at Pitt. There would be no cause if they happened at Vandy.

      And this is Pitt ….just because you think it’s OK to hand this guy $9,5M (which they may end up doing), doesn’t mean Pitt can do it by snapping its fingers.

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  42. We need a high energy younger coach that can hustle on the recruiting front.. Matta with his bad back doesn’t qualify under that scenario. Besides Matta wouldn’t come cheap enough considering the financial distress the Pitt basketball budget is under going currently with the Stallings pay off in front of us.

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  43. I know many here disagreed with those of us who refused to renew our MBB season tickets this past year because of FHCKS…but I know those empty seats at the Pete were a big deciding factor in today’s decision by ADHL…I for one will show her my support and appreciation and we will be back in our seats at the Pete next year…in fact I called the AD’s office and to thank Ms. Lykes to say we are back in the saddle re MBB.

    Liked by 2 people

  44. who knows what really happened

    KS would be ignorant not to take a buyout of $7.5M
    I like Pitt’s moxy to threaten firing with cause…negotiating tactic
    I think this all could have been handled better with a lower buyout and made all sides happy and would have been much less messy

    but since both sides cant agree, KS is fired and will sue for his $10M
    They eventually will settle on $7.5M anyway

    Now I pretty firmly believe Heather was forced to make this call. Pitt’s legal team formed the strategy and prepared for the negotiations

    Boosters were very much highly influencing the decision and had pretty much made up their minds on a figure for the buyout. And I’m pretty sure they told Gallagher to but the hell out since that arse hat should be on the hot seat for this hot mess.

    When KS played hard ball, Pitt fired back with firing for cause. Thats when it all broke down

    So the easy decision is made. But we have no settlement which is bad actually.

    The hard decision is who to hire as the next coach

    They should have already made offers.

    The decision should be announced tomorrow unless that coach is still coaching

    You always break news on a Friday…announce your hire tomorrow, presser on Monday

    No reason to let this linger longer than it should. If its a coach still coaching, you say we have offered, our person has accepted, announcement in 2 weeks.

    But I’m really thinking Matta has already accepted. He’s the best coach and the best fit.

    Take the risk with his health

    He can get Pitt back to the Sweet 16 in 2 years. He’s that good people.

    Like

      1. Pitt cannot afford to not hire him
        there are boosters in the shadows
        they have seen how Gallagher and the BoT have left basketball in a mound of crap and seen the millions wash away
        they have the money
        and they will be calling more of the shots in the future
        your atom measuring chancellor wont be touching basketball anytime soon
        heather is reporting to the people with the money to make it happen
        thats how sports operates in college
        maybe not at Pitt historically
        But the boosters saved the day today
        and that comes at a price
        otherwise Gallagher is fired for cause

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        1. you cant tell me Gallagher isnt under heat from the BoT after wasting millions over the past 2 years and then spending more millions to clean up this mess that he initially blessed. He’s damn lucky to have his job today.

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  45. The Pete will be sold out for the early games next season. But if we end up playing any thing like a repeat of this season the Pitt will be playing before the record low crowds that we saw at seasons end this year.

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  46. In an industry where coaches walk away from contracts for “better jobs” and end up negotiating their buyouts down, I find it comical that some people (not so much here at the POV) hope Stallings gets every penny as called for by his contract.

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  47. wwb, I’m just commenting on what is being reported. The rumors are out there that this was a messy divorce. Always looking out for what is best for Pitt, and usually a quiet, clean divorce is best for all parties.

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    1. I understand that, but what is being reported is not being made public by Pitt … it’s all speculation. Furthermore, Stallings’ incidents at Vandy has nothing to do with what’s going on right now

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  48. Why would anyone think our first few home BB games will sell out next season. I dropped my season tickets this past year after 40+ years. I have moved on and I think there are many others like me. I predict it will take at least 5 years to get season tickets and attendance back up to prior levels, and that assumes we get good again. I hope I am wrong.

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  49. Congratulations Heather Lyke!
    She has stepped into her role as AD and made some good hires thus far.
    I believe she is going to make an outstanding one for men’s BB that will get everyone pretty excited about the future.
    Go Heather!!
    H2P

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  50. One thing for sure the new hire won’t be on any POv’er list and just about everyone Will be bitching because wasn’t

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    1. It will work differently this time
      Heather is making the call
      Boosters whispering in her ear
      no cronyism or search firm involved this time
      money is talking
      money got involved because Pitt blew away their ACC check
      thats why Gallagher needs to step away from the athletics side of the business

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    2. Actually not true MD72…I have seen our very own Richman’s name linked to the Pitt basketball head coaching job!

      Like

  51. If this mess doesnt show the need to separate the board into one comprised for academics and one comprised for athletics, I dont know what to say. proves my point all along.

    2 boards
    9 members each
    Not 1 board with 36 and 1/3 being political appointments
    and god knows how many open or closet Nitters

    1 for academics reporting to Mr atom measurer
    1 for athletics reporting to miss heather

    no political appointments/politicians or Nitters allowed

    problem solved
    you have accountability
    you have people who know what they are leading

    gallagher has no business being involved on the athletics side after this mess
    he is totally unqualified
    he’s cost Pitt their ACC check

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  52. VOR.

    For hopefully the last time, these separations are often messy. And after a VERY short time, no one remembers. If YOU personally think it looks poor on Pitt’s part, that’s your right. I’m not even arguing it.
    Where we disagree is your assumption that the basketball community will look at Pitt poorly and that it could impact our hiring ability. The fact is, they won’t and it won’t.

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    1. VOR – when The Pete has more than 1,000 fans in it next season, that will look good on Pitt’s part.

      0 for ACC looked poor on Pitt’s part.

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  53. I’m pretty sure that our AD had the authority to make this decision on her own because it was strictly athletics and based on poor performance as an athletic head coach.

    This is not a situation like Walt Harris or Dave Wannstedtthat where the firings were based on something off the field and where the Chancellor would make the determination.

    Liked by 2 people

  54. Media wondering why there is no press conference as Pitt has had in the past when a coach is fired.

    Theories…

    Because details of the buyout have not been finalized and signed? Heather can’t legally speak yet.

    They have their man, just waiting to do one press conference.

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    1. It’s interesting that two of biggest whiners about the lack of a press conference are Zeise and Vukovcan, two of Stallings biggest media supporters. They demand to hear why their guy is gone.

      I hope you’re right about having their guy. I already contacted Pitt about season tickets….

      Liked by 1 person

  55. ike.

    That IMO is very important. There is a significant difference between stating something as a fact (This proves Heather is no puppet.) versus giving your opinion (I believe she’s no puppet.) As for name calling, which again I don’t do here, I don’t believe referring to someone as a “puppet” in the context of how they do or don’t do their job is name calling. And it certainly isn’t worthy of an, “I for one don’t appreciate it.” Puppet? Really? Someone with whom you have no association is referred to as a “puppet” and that OFFENDS you.

    Im on board with you when people on here make things personal or attack student athletes but to question a WELL PAID administrator’s competency is hardly offensive. I was called far worse on the playground as a 5 year old and I didn’t cry once.

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    1. Hey Jay, why is it when I say that Heather isn’t a puppet you question and rightfully so, my knowledge on the subject? Yet when we read on the POV a couple dozen times a day that she was indeed a puppet by a poster you never once questioned that?

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      1. Ike – IMO, Jay91 isn’t hanging out all day and night on this blog reading every post.

        JAT

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      2. Fair question.. But to my recollection, the person who referred to her as a puppet, said “I think she’s a puppet”, or something of that nature where you said “This PROVES she’s not a puppet.” As I stated, I think it’s an important distinction. Perhaps I’m wrong but that’s how I remember it. If my recollection is inaccurate I apologize completely.

        For the record, I do believe she made this decision and I also believe that her record is so incomplete, it would be unfair to suppose knowledge either way. I have been supportive of her to this point and am cautiously optimistic. To be frank, I am far more afraid of our Chancellor or BOT “screwing the pooch” than I am of her.

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  56. If the KS termination had anything to do the the psux tie he wore at the ACC tournament loss, then Suzy is probably next on the Heather meeting trail.

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  57. I was called an old goat once by teenagers on the basketball court. I then proceeded to drive the lane and make a layup over the young whippersnapper. Grown men dont cry. I made that teenager my puppet that day.

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  58. Jay91, I accept what you say that these things are often messy. I just don’t like airing the dirty laundry in public. Its bad for business. I’m also looking at the practicality of it. If a potential new coach thinks his predecessor got the shaft he will probably not want to be employed by someone who might treat him the same way. It’s not rocket science, just common sense.

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  59. Pulled this from Twitter regarding Tom Crean –

    Good IMO…

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  60. Spring ball around the corner. I cannot wait for football talk. I find it sad but I have a feeling the new bball coach will be getting paid more than Duzz. Pitt is a basketball school what way are they going to go. If one thing is for sure about being a Pitt fan were use to coaching searches.

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    1. even with PN’s recent raise, he is barely making more than Stallings who was hired at a reported $2.1M

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  61. Hey here another view. Stallings is gone. Most like it (me included) and a few may not. Let’s just put a period on it and move on. I sure hope that Heather and PITT pick a new head coach that there is a positive consensus attitude towards and ring in a brand new day.

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  62. Well Jay it was imo that she did prove to me.. btw, either your recollection is off or we are not talking about the same person/poster. It was said many times that she is nothing but a puppet, no if ands or butts. but I’m done with the topic, KS is history and that is a good thing. I suspect a good hire coming PITT’s way… ike

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  63. VOR.

    Again, that’s your opinion. However, the last 20 years of sports contracts prove otherwise.

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  64. One for the road Kevin. Hope you guys and gal have good speakers for this one and play it loud. The acoustics are awesome…

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  65. Jay, ike is right. Heather was called a puppet on this blog many times. But maybe she grew a pair… My guess is that she is the one who made the (rather obvious) call to pull the plug on Stallings.

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    1. By many people or the same 1-2 guys many times? Most people said we’ll find out when she has to fire KS and hire his replacement.

      So far she grades out with an A IMO. That could change, but she isn’t playing with her own money now……and it’s not her fault if the Pitt brand is damaged (we’re cheap) and no good coach is interested either. I at least want to hear about who’s getting interviews. That rat Fathead Barnes kept this info to himself.

      Like

  66. On FB note while renewing season tics yesterday ordered additional PSU tics. Currently $125 each for season tics holders $160 when go on general sales in June.

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  67. No doubt in my mind that Heather knew Stallings was gone weeks ago when she said in the paper that she would make a decision after the season. If KS was staying she would have said so then. If Matta is the hire then they both knew this as well around the same time. All we would need now then is the announcement of the hire on Monday.

    The longer this takes though makes it look like Matta is not the guy IMO…..unless he has to come in for a physical next week. Could you imagine the look on Stallings face if he saw Matta a month ago talking to UPMC doctors here? LOL….

    The HC at Nevada is supposed to be good. Should be interesting though….

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    1. Well it took 6 days from Dixon’s resignation to the Stallings announcement (not press conference). If one believes the rumors (as I do), Barnes made his decision early and sat on it while the search firm prepared the window dressing.

      Early next week seems like a fairly solid timeframe. Tough timing though from a media perspective. Monday will be jammed with media laments about wronged teams and seeding debates after the NCAA Tournament field has been announced. The play in games are Tuesday and Wednesday. I’d pick Tuesday or Wednesday.

      If Pitt is indeed working with Matta they should certainly clear his physical condition before signing and announcing.

      Musselman is a solid choice. The only concern is he is a western guy, but then so were Howland and Dixon.

      Like

      1. If it’s Matta, yes, but if it’s someone still coaching in a conference tournament or the Big Dance, then we got a long wait.

        Musselman being from the West was a concern of mine too.

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  68. It was easy decision for her. Boosters had her back. They were the ones with the balls and the money. I’d rather her be a puppet to boosters than the BoT.

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  69. Matta, Hurley, Nevada guy and grant. Those are the whales. All others are Minnows.

    Glad crean isn’t candidate. Mans a prick as big as Sean Miller. Small hands though.

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    1. Hurley is not interested…he wasn’t the last time either. I also like McDermott from Creighton. I would love anyone from that list.

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  70. Hey Erie Express my friend. Are you suggesting I’m on the POV all day and night? Only all day friend as were the Heather insults.

    Hey Mad-Dog, thanks for the heads up, what a dumb-ass I am. Just called and ordered 4 extra tickets, although no guarantee. .. ike

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    1. Ike – no, my comment was in defense of my friend Jay91.

      Please don’t take offense to my comment. It was JAT (just a thought) not suggesting anything your way.

      Today, Heather is a hero to many Pitt fans. To me, she was just doing her job.

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  71. Hurley is a hot head. Probably waiting for a bigger acc job. But he could turn Pitt around. Stallings dug Pitt a grave. Good thing is that the casket isn’t in the ground yet. So kudos to Heather. And for Rockports to demand a full ten million is just crazy. I’d run his arse out of pitt back to Rocky top right now. Man needs to start a new career as a shoe salesmen. Maybe ties as well.

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  72. This reminds me of the last search, we all threw out names that would excite the fan base, and Pitt screwed the pooch.

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  73. Just wanna ask why does this mean Pitt isn’t still a football school? Having a solid, competitive Men’s BB team in a P5 conference is pretty much a recruiting must to show those Blue Chip pigskin stars…attending a game is a great recruiting tool for football prospects. A loud and feisty Zoo in a packed raucous Pete is nothing but fun to a high school kid; it adds sizzle to the steak.

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    1. Meant to add I know the ‘Duzz is smiling today…don’t for a moment think his input in this decision was anything but huge.

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    2. I believe it was the fall of 2010 when Pitt was listed as one of the top 5 football and basketball powers in the country. It’s been downhill since…

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      1. The climb back up is about to begin. Spring FB practice starts on Monday, and the search for our next BB coach is in process.

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  74. About the Matta deal….didn’t Lyke just fire him a short while ago? How did that go over with Matta? Was she forced to? Did she have a conversation with him and say she didn’t like the idea?

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  76. Gene Smith fired Thad Matta.

    Anyone think that the reason Matta “interviewed” at Ole Miss was because he knew about Lyke’s plan and wanted to be seen as a viable candidate and somewhat dismiss the health issues?

    Not saying that IS what happened, but why couldn’t it be?

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  77. From a comment on the Trib: “Joe Dooley at Florida Gulf Coast University would be perfect. He came into a tough situation as the guy who inherited the “Dunk City” mania from FGGU’s Sweet 16 run in 2013, and has done a fantastic job. He was Bill Self’s top assistant at Kansas for 10 years previous to landing the FGCU gig. And as a Jersey guy, he grew up with Big East basketball in its heyday, and thus has appreciation for the history of Pitt basketball.”

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  78. EE, c’mon, you know we are buddies. That was a tongue in cheeker as it’s commonly known around here that I am on the POV all day. << I was poking fun at myself…

    As far as the names of our favorite coaching prospects? Bloggers at times tend to live in a vacuum. Let’s hope some of the names mentioned here hit’s home and the nail on the head…. I would like most of the prospects mentioned.

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  79. Whoever it is MUST be able to recruit. Matta can do it only if he is healthy. I wonder if it is standard procedure for coaches to take physical exams before they are hired.

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    2. Wrong, you have assistant coaches that beat the bushes. Your head Coach is just the closer after all the hard work is done. Do you think Roy Williams is running around the country for players ?

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  81. From a post on Cardiac Hill:

    One of these coaches is Jamie Dixon and the other is Thad Matta.

    Coach A
    439-154 (.740)
    8 regular season conference titles.
    13 tourney berths in 17 years.
    2 Final 4’s, 2 Elite 8’s, 2 Sweet 16’s

    Coach B
    373-148 (.716)
    2 regular season conference titles.
    12 tourney berth in 15 years.
    1 Elite 8, 2 Sweet 16’s.

    — Jim Hammett (@JimHammett) March 8, 2018

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  82. Another post from Cardiac Hill:

    Stallings- ‘best friend in Nashville’
    I live in Nashville and have followed Stallings for years. Needless to say I thought he was a terrible hire period.

    In August of 2016, I ran into a Nashvillian known to be extremely close with Stallings, as in media stories about their great friendship. The two men went on road trips with each other. Knowing these men were close I pulled up to this gentleman whom is an acquaintance. I said, “You know Pitt is my team, I am pretty worried about Stallings as coach, please put my mind at ease” His reply, “I can’t I told him he was crazy for taking the job, I don’t think he realizes what he is getting into at Pitt and I think its gonna be bad.”

    September of 2016, spoke with another acquaintance who played hoops at Vandy and has covered Vandy hoops for years. I asked him what he thought of Stallings at Pitt. His response, “I give him 2 months into the season and then he will get into conflicts with the current players and then things will go down hill”

    I was willing to give him a chance – hey they beat Maryland on the road and had a few close games in ACC early on…. .then as predicted he lost the team and then collapse.

    He is at fault for the collapse, he and he alone. A shame that the whole thing went down like it did.

    The new coach will be in an amazing position, you never want to be the guy following a ‘successful coach’, its always great to replace a total dud of a coach.

    Posted by Yellowhorse on Mar 8, 2018 | 12:36 PM

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    1. FWIW, I like reading Cardiac Hill. There seems to be much less hyperbole and bias and more maturity there, from both bloggers and posters. Not that dislike it here, I spend more time here

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        1. to each his own. I like Anson Whaley and the others bloggers at Cardiac Hill. and find myself in agreement with them quite frequently. But don’t spend much time on the comments nor have I ever commented there. And I obviously like it here also

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  83. Just to temper the Matta mania, it is much easier to recruit at OSU than at Pitt. Now, coaching, well that’s a different story, but don’t expect the studs he got at Columbus, won’t happen. Now, I do expect he will do better than the last guy, what was his name again?

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  84. Again, I think one thing everyone is missing is what area of the country the coach is from and what is his recruiting area. Like it or not we are in a Southern league, and whoever we hire better be able to recruit that area. West coast guy like Musselman, all ties there, not a good fit imo. Hurley, wow, what a major mistake he would be. Hothead, crazy ego, some of his moves are strange. Guy from Buffalo, recruiting chops? Or living off others recruits? Not sure. Guess I’m just gun shy after our last West Coast bb genius, although he was an AD. It’s all about ?Fit,Fit,Fit. Can these guys come in and recruit the south, cause NYC guys haven’t been flocking to play in the ACC.

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  85. Most likely, Pitt did not have to stroke a check for the entire amount today. It will get paid over the course of his contract. During that time, he is required to look for a job (cover).

    Matta is doing the same thing. The interesting part of the buyout is if Pitt could hire Matta for the first few years at a Pitt bargain price, OSU would still have to pay the difference. Seems like a financial win for Pitt, a financial win for osu and a tie for Matta. That is if he is interested. He won’t have the support of the BoT like he had at OSU, nor will he have an AD that carries a big stick and can get him the resources he needs to compete the correct way. Matta will have to put his best foot forward during the interview process or risk having Lyke rat him out to OSU where they wouldn’t have to keep paying him his buyout for not giving his best effort to secure a position. He would have to trust Lyke. Oh, what fun!

    We have to remember that Matta was Dixon at OSU. He did really well and then fan interest started to wane. Sellouts turned to 90% capacity, to 80%, etc.He recruited a bunch of 3 stars at the end. Matta is a good guy that’s in a bad way physically. He has a body of a 65 year old and is in pain just walking.

    The key area where Matta messed up at osu was his assistants. He had great assistants that could “TEACH” basketball and secondarily, RECRUIT the non-paid off athletes at the beginning of his run. He lost site of the most important aspect of an assistant coach being “TEACHING” and that is what got him in trouble. He replaced teachers with old players that wanted to keep living the life…and not teaching. I would be fine with him as our coach and financially it probably makes sense for Pitt.

    That said, my preference is for a 35 year old that is an aggressive recruiter who can close.

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  86. Holy hell Joe. I wouldn’t wan to be within 5 feet of you when PITT hires their next BB coach.. I mean that in a bit of a joking way and a bit seriously. You my friend have your heart set on one guy. The truth. I hope you get your wish sounds good to me…. ike

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  87. I remember many had reservations about Howland when he came here because he was a left coaster. But he knew who to hire as assistants including Slice Rohrrsen in 01. Now of course, Howland went back to the West Coats after 4 years but had a very positive impact

    BTW, no search firm was used for Howland or Dixon. Pedersen was tipped off by the Converse shoe rep (forgot his name but he was an area guy) while Steve’s interim successor hired Dixon from asst coach

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  88. NYC guys can play in the ACC. Much like Philly and DC guys. Those are areas that Pitt should target and can be successful. Pitt just needs to find some athletes and players and then find a system that works and recruit for it. Pitt doesnt need to compete against the Blue Bloods. It needs to become their own blood. And Pitt wont bleed blue. With the right coach, Pitt can win the ACC much like winning the Big East. Pitt can again go to Sweet 16’s and finally go to a Final 4. If Matta isnt announced tomorrow, I’m throwing out my meatballs I’m cooking tonight.

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  89. Huff, I think what happen to Matta and Jd were similar. Both kept getting raises and the money came out of the pockets designated for asst coaches.

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  90. Matta can hire those 35 year olds to recruit for him and in 5-6 years, one of those can become Pitt’s new head coach after Matta retires due to health issues. And after Matta wins Pitt 2 ACC championships and has us in the Final 4 twice. Winning it all in 2022.

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  91. Gee, it took you that long to figure that out? Of course ?I prefer Grant. I have done a ton of research on this for the past year in anticipation of KS getting canned. Now, if they hire someone else, OK, but if it’s a terrible fit ?I will be upset. But my preference is clear, as are my arguments for his hire, and I think geographic fit is crucial. That the new hire can coach should be a given, beyond that, youth, geographic fit, recruiting ability, and being a good person with priorities straight also come into play. Find someone who checks the boxes and we will all get behind them. Just don’t try to shove someone down our throats and tell us to like it or take a hike, which is basically what happened last time.

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    1. Yes, but that was all Barnes. KS was along for the ride, but he never connected with Pitt fans nor Pittsburgh in general. Never even tried.

      By the way, I Lyke Earl Grant as well – did research before your golf trip to SC. You brought to light far more than I found. And what I found made me want him to be hired as Pitt’s next HC.

      Best may be, yet to come…until then, I will savor the sight of KS leaving the burg.

      H2P!

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  92. Tx, there are very,very few NYC players in the ACC. Even the cause only has 3 players from NY, and one is from Buffalo. Those kids, with exception of stars, usually don’t play in our league. It’s just a different league. Wish we could change attitudes but there aren’t 15 NY kids in the whole conference.
    I have no problem with Matta, just don’t expect OSU results.

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  93. if Pitt can find 1 NYC kid each year out of the 4 recruits. another 1 from Philly. 1 from DC and 1 from Timbuktu, I’ll be happy.

    I expect Pitt results and thats winning the ACC. Something Matta never did at tOSU.

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  94. Tom Crean looks too much like Roseann Barr’s old husband Tom Arnold. I feel the excitement coming back with the news today. Need to sustain it with a quality hire.

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  95. Put a pain pump in Matta and be done with it.
    If he wants to coach again…done deal.

    Hurley ain’t coming: I asked u once to the prom, I hated him at Marquette…probably because he always had our number.

    As for the other guys, I’m too ignorant to voice an opinion.

    I just hope Heather-the-Presenter maintains the momentum.

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  96. Tx, that would give Pitt more N.Y. kids than any ACC team. They might get 2 every 4 yrs if lucky. No school has that composition in the entire conference. Not that I’d mind it, it’s just not going to happen. Pitts not going to get the best player from PA. in most cases, unlike OSU which could usually get the best players in Ohio.
    I would love to get the players from there like we used to. With Nova and now the Nitters plus Temple cornering the Philly makes, well that’s a hard sell as well. Lots of work to be done repairing damage to our brand. Matta has the name recognition, if he is the choice so be it. I will support him and wish him well. Bad backs are a real bi*&h.

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  97. If Matta had the surgery done at Pitt instead of tOSU, he may not be in such a bad shape. I’m fine with him sitting all game. I’m fine with him having his assistants hop on planes out of town to recruit. I’m fine with him winning the ACC and I dont care how he does it. Nor do the boosters who will pay his salary and whom Heather will announce tomorrow as Pitt’s new coach.

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  99. I can’t believe some are wanting Hurley. The guy would make KS and his antics look like a saint.

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  100. Wow, $9.4 million. Makes me sick. I only hope when Bob Mueller is done with the election he looks into Barnes and Stallings because if this ain’t collusion I don’t know what is. I almost think stallings put no effort into Pitt just so he COULD get fired and retire early thanks to good old the U of Pitt. He deserves nothing.

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    1. Pitt needs to sue Barnes and hire an investigator to see if he got any payback from that 4 year extension as he was leaving for Ore. St.

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  101. If Pitt gets a guy who consistently get 25+ wins a year I’ll take all the antics in the world!

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  103. If Matta comes to Pitt, Bernie and I will offer our services to keep him going if Tony Salesi can’t get it done!

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  104. Stallings mug was removed from the Pitt website altogether before his plane landed in Tennessee.

    Or did he fly straight to Spring Training in Florida to catch a baseball game?

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  105. I am impressed by Pitt’s counsel. They played hard ball. Firing with cause takes some balz. But both sides I’m sure could have settled for around $7M. Now its a messy divorce. My thinking is that Rockports wanted his full $10 Mill and Pitt told him to go back to Tennessee and chop wood. Thank you counsel and Heather. With Barnes and Gallagher, they would have just bent over.

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    1. Pitt should sue Stallings and Herman and that Search Firm for that scam they pulled off. Don’t pay this bum a dime. With his Pedo State ties .

      Liked by 1 person

  106. If you’re at the airport on Sunday, Matta will be flying in around 1 PM. The presser will be Monday at noon.

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  109. I posted this before, but it’s been a while back, Thought Pitt would hire an AD, that would bring along a new hoops coach with him/her.

    And perhaps Pitt did. It just wasn’t something that could occur immediately. And really couldn’t happen immediately.

    But the moves were on the Chess Board, waiting to be played..at the right time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s a great comment Emel. It was fairly obvious to me from the start of Heather’s tenure that professional tact would be the only way to roll with this already past problem. It’s a day to celebrate and not look back. We should never look back but look out the front windshield as our good doc once coined. ike

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  110. Its 3 dimensional chess at this point. And I think KS really didnt see the move coming from Heather.

    Its check make Mr Rockports. Your only move now is back to Tennessee.

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  112. I know we are all excited, and rightly so, but at this point we are all like
    Sargent Schultz on Hogan’s Heros: “WE KNOW NOTHING” at this point as to who are next coach is going to be.

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  113. Thanks to Heather for bringing back some hope for Pitt BB.

    Now to win the end game.

    (Fran and Scooter must be smiling like a butcher’s dog!)

    Go Pitt.

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  114. I guess many bloggers to this board have never had to balance a budget. The Pitt basketball budget situation right now must be a total disaster. Having to pay two head coaches for several years to come and having to do so with a past years attendance at the games at depression era levels. Now we want to hire a top named coach(a crippled one no less) with little to no money in the budget to pay for him.—And the idea that Pitt would need their assistant coaches to go out to recruit is just plain nonsense. Yep, I’ll give you that Coach K at Duke need not do much traveling to recruit the 5 star players. But at Pitt especially after this years disaster we will need all the help we can get to recruit high level players to sign on the dotted line. Thus any head coach that’s one step away from filing for his Social Security Disability Benefits is not going to be on my preference list.

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  115. Yes Major…smiling like a butcher’s dog indeed. And great call Emel…I hope all falls into place.

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  116. Kevin Stallings = Derek Bell (I would include Steve Pedersen but at least he contributed in his first stint)

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