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Pittsburgh Extends Jamie Dixon's Contract, Guerrero Now On the Spot

Pittsburgh decides to extend the contract of head basketball coach Jamie Dixon, which puts even more pressure on UCLA Athletic Director to make a move re hiring of Bruins' next coach.

Sitting tight in 'Burgh.
Sitting tight in 'Burgh.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Well this is interesting. From Pitt's official site:

Stating that he intends to "finish his career at the University of Pittsburgh," Pitt men's basketball coach Jamie Dixon reinforced that commitment today when he signed a 10-year contractual agreement that runs through the 2022-23 season.

Dixon owns the highest winning percentage in school history (.753) with a 262-86 record from 2003-13. He has led the Panthers to nine NCAA Tournaments in 10 seasons, the most NCAA appearances by a Pitt coach.

"Pitt and Pittsburgh are home," Dixon said. "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."

Full release here.

Well that puts the damper on the reasonable speculation coming from number of front that Dixon would be headed to Just$C and then Ben Howland would head back to Pittsburgh.

This move now moves pressure on Dan Guerrero. He needs to move re. Ben now and not wait days or next two weeks waiting for him to resign. Guerrero especially cannot afford to wait given that we maybe losing Kyle Anderson and Tony Parker, if there aren't concrete steps in motion to get the new coach in place.

Guerrero has botched all his coaching searches in the past. If UCLA had a Chancellor who cared about sports, he wouldn't be in charge of this one (at least on the public front). I don't have any confidence in him that he is going to get this right, but we will have to see how it plays out in next few days and weeks. If he was hoping to slide by with a passive aggressive approach of waiting dominos to falls, he is not off to an ideal start. It's clear now that he needs to make a move sooner rather than later.

GO BRUINS.