Pitt gives Dixon gets 10-year extension
The University of Pittsburgh gave men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon a 10-year contract extension that runs through 2023, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Saturday .
Pittsburgh fell to Wichita State 73-55 in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday and finished the season at 24-9, 12-6 in its final season in the Big East.
"Pitt and Pittsburgh are home," Dixon said in a statement. "My family and I feel blessed to be part of such a great institution and wonderful city. It is the people who truly make a place special. I could not be surrounded by better players, staff and administration. These aren't just people I work for and with every day. They're friends and I'm very thankful for that.
"I would like to express special appreciation to our leadership team of chancellor Mark Nordenberg, athletic director Steve Pederson and executive vice chancellor Jerry Cochran. Their guidance and friendship have been invaluable. I greatly appreciate the faith and support they have always shown me since my arrival at Pitt."
Dixon is 127-66 in Big East regular-season play in his 10 years coaching the Panthers. Pitt begins play in the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
"Very few programs can match the sustained success that Pitt basketball has achieved during the past decade under Jamie Dixon," Pederson said in the statement. "As we move forward as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, our future has never been brighter or provided more opportunity. In order to maintain and build upon our past success, it was important to our university and athletic department that we make a strong long-term commitment to Jamie.
"He has been far more than a basketball coach at Pitt and we are fortunate to have such a high-caliber person representing our university. I look forward to continuing to work with Jamie as he leads our program into an exciting new era in the ACC."
