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."
First joining Pitt as associate head coach in 1999, Dixon has constructed one of the country’s most successful and durable men’s basketball programs. Pitt is one of only seven teams nationally to advance to the NCAA Tournament in 11 of the past 12 seasons (2002-13). That elite group includes Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State, Pitt, Texas and Wisconsin.
Dixon compiled a .658 winning percentage (127-66) in Big East regular-season play, the highest in league history and ahead of Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim (.654), Louisville’s Rick Pitino (.653) and retired Georgetown coach John Thompson (.653).
Fielding one of the youngest teams of his tenure this past season, Dixon led the Panthers to a 24-9 overall record and 12-6 Big East mark. Four starters and eight total lettermen return for 2013-14, Pitt’s inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
"Very few programs can match the sustained success that Pitt basketball has achieved during the past decade under Jamie Dixon," Pederson said. "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."
