Former Pittsburgh Panthers coach Jamie Dixon.
(Photo: Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
In the first big surprise of the offseason, Pittsburgh head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon is leaving that position to take the same job at Texas Christian University, the school announced Monday.
The announcement confirmed earlier reports by CBSSports.com and USA TODAY Sports.
Dixon has spent the last 13 seasons at Pitt’s head coach, with his teams posting a record of 328-123 (.727) during his tenure. He’s gone to the NCAA tournament 11 times, with the deepest run a trip to the Elite Eight in 2009.
“On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh, I want to thank Jamie for his tremendous service to not only Pitt basketball but our entire institution,” athletics director Scott Barnes said in a statement. “His impact on our university went well beyond his coaching responsibilities. Jamie has always represented Pitt, and the game of college basketball, in exceptional fashion. For all of these things we are eternally grateful.
“… In accepting the job at TCU he is, in many ways, returning home. We all wish him and his family the very best in his new endeavor.”
Dixon, 50, played at TCU from 1984-1987. He was under contract at Pittsburgh through 2023.
The Horned Frogs fired coach Trent Johnson last week; the last time this program made the NCAA tournament was 1998.
The Frogs this season began playing in their new campus arena. The $72 million project was a complete renovation of the coliseum that was their home when Dixon was a player, including new locker rooms and team meeting rooms.
Their only senior this season was 6-foot-8 forward Devonta Abron, a former Arkansas transfer who started only six games after missing 2013-14 because of a torn Achilles tendon.
Junior guard Kenrich Williams missed all season after microfracture knee surgery. Their top scorers, all sophomores, were Chauncey Collins (12.3 points per game), Malique Trent (11.6 ppg) and Vladimir Brodziansky (9.7). Trent led the Big 12 with 2.1 steals per game.
Contributing: The Associated Press
GALLERY: COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACHING CAROUSEL
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