Pittsburgh has found their new head coach in Kevin Stallings, previously of Vanderbilt. Pitt’s previous Coach, Jamie Dixon, left to go coach his alma mater TCU. Thus, two dominos fall and the coaching carousel begins spinning. In Nashville, they’ll begin the search for Stallings’ replacement.
“Coach Kevin Stallings and I share the same vision for Pitt — playing in the Final Four,” read a statement attributed toPitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes.
“Kevin has a successful track record recruiting the ACC footprint and beyond, and is one of the best coaches in the country at building an offense around his talent. He plays a fun up-tempo style that players love and fans will enjoy. Kevin runs his program with impeccable character and has a high care factor and connection with his student-athletes. He is a Power Five conference coach whose experience and success will be immediate assets for our program.”
(Pittsburgh mascot Roc “approves”…maybe…we didn’t reach out to Roc for his thoughts on the new coaching hire.)
Kevin Stallings has a career record of 455-283 record with nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 23-years. He began his head coaching career at Illinois State in 1993 before taking control of the Vanderbilt program prior to the start of the 1999-00 season.
“I am extremely excited to join the University of Pittsburgh family,” reads a statement attributed to Kevin Stallings.
“Pitt has a tremendous basketball tradition and I am looking forward to building on the excellent foundation that is in place on the court and in the classroom. The city of Pittsburgh is outstanding and I have a great deal of respect for the people that make it such a special place. I look forward to seeing their support along with that of the Oakland Zoo next season at the Petersen Events Center.”
We’ll see if Kevin Stallings can bring Pitt basketball back to the heights that it’s recently achieved.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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