Head Coach Jamie Dixon, 18-26 The Jamie Dixon File, 19 Dixon in the Community, 20 Year-by-Year With Dixon, 21 Dixon by the Numbers, 23 Dixon vs. Opponents, 24 Fast Facts About Dixon, 24 What They ve Said About Dixon, 25 Dixon by the Numbers, 26 Brandin Knight, 27 Bill Barton, 28 Marlon Williamson, 29 Brian Regan, 30 Pitt Basketball Support Staff 31-32
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL HEAD COACH JAMIE DIXON TCU 87 12th Year as Head Coach 16th Year at Pitt Toughness. Intelligence. Unselfishness. Consistency. Teamwork. Success. Improvement. These words describe the University of Pittsburgh basketball program led by head coach Jamie Dixon. Using those ideals, Dixon has established and maintained a Tradition of Excellence and Culture of Success for Pitt Basketball both on and off the floor. On the floor, Pitt has emerged as a national power. The Panthers rank among the nation s top- 5 programs in winning percentage over the last 13 years and Pitt has claimed more conference titles (six) than any other school in the previous Big East and third-most among Atlantic Coast Conference programs. Player development is a cornerstone for the program as six players have won the Big East Most Improved Player Award since Dixon s arrival. Off the floor, Dixon has built a program that its fans can be proud of. Pitt is prominent in the community, donating countless hours of service for the greater good. In the classroom, Pitt has graduated a majority of its student-athletes and has achieved top-10 percent NCAA Academic Performance Rate team scores in three of the last four years. Beginning his 16th year at Pitt and 12th as its head coach, Dixon has stockpiled numerous coaching milestones and awards: Earned four college basketball National Coach of the Year honors: 2011 Sporting News, 2010 Jim Phelan Award, 2010 USA Basketball and 2009 Naismith. Guided Pitt to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 11 seasons, one of only eight college basketball programs nationally to achieve that honor. Set the all-time NCAA Division I record for most wins after eight seasons as a head coach in 2011 with 216 victories. He also ranks fourth all-time in wins after 10 seasons as a head coach (262 wins), third following nine seasons (238), tied the record for most wins after seven years in 2010 (188) and set the six-year mark in 2009 (163). Guided Pitt to three Big East Championships including two outright Big East regular season titles (2003-04 and 2010-11) and one tournament championship (2008). The recent 2011 outright regular season title came in a league that placed an all-time record 11 teams in the NCAA Tournament. Led Pitt to its first two No. 1 seeds upon entering the NCAA Tournament (2009 and 2011). Became the only coach in NCAA Division I basketball to guide his team to the NCAA Tournament and win at least one game in each tournament over a six-year span (2006-11). Guided Pitt to its first-ever NCAA Regional Final (64-team tournament) and Elite Eight appearance, a school-best 31-5 record, the school s first-ever No. 1 national ranking and the program s first-ever No. 1 seed upon entering the NCAA Tournament in 2008-09. BIG EAST ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES (BY PCT.) (Conference regular season and championship games combined. As of April 1, 2014 and according to Big East Conference records). Coach, Team W L Pct. Yrs. BEChamp. JAMIE DIXON, PITT 127 66.658 10 12-9,.571 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 415 220.654 34 50-29,.633 John Thompson, Georgetown 231 123.653 20 33-13,.717 Rick Pitino, Louisville/Providence 126 67.653 9 14-7,.667 Lou Carnesecca, St. John s 139 80.635 13 12-11,.478 Jim Calhoun, Connecticut 314 181.634 36 35-18,.660 Buzz Williams, Marquette 73 45.619 6 5-6,.454 Mike Jarvis, St. John s 57 36.613 5 7-4,.636 Ben Howland, Pitt 46 29.613 4 8-3,.727 Rollie Massimino, Villanova 123 92.572 12 13-12,.520 18
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF THE JAMIE DIXON FILE Date announced as Pitt Head Coach: Tuesday, April 15, 2003. Birthdate: November 10, 1965 in Burbank, Calif. Hometown: North Hollywood, Calif. Education: Master of Science Economics, University of California-Santa Barbara, 1992; Bachelor of Business Administration Finance, Texas Christian University, 1987; Notre Dame High School graduate (Sherman Oaks, Calif.), 1983. Family: Wife, Jacqueline, son Jack Connor (born June 2, 2002), daughter Shannon Iwalani (born Feb. 25, 2004); son of Jim & Marge Dixon who reside in Los Angeles; has two sisters: Julie, who is an attorney in Los Angeles and the late Maggie Dixon, who served as head women s basketball coach at the United States Military Academy (2005-06) and as an assistant at DePaul University. Coaching Career Head Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2003-present; Associate Head Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 1999-2003; Assistant Coach, University of Hawaii, 1998-99; Assistant Coach, Northern Arizona University, 1994-98; Assistant Coach, University of Hawaii, 1992-94; Graduate Assistant Coach, University of California-Santa Barbara, 1991-92; Assistant Coach, Los Angeles Valley Junior College, 1989-91. Playing Career Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Texas Christian University, 1984-87 (Named All-SWC in 1987 and SWC All-Academic honoree), led SWC in assists as a senior; Played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association (Lacrosse Catbirds) and overseas (New Zealand). Noteworthy Awards 2011 Sporting News National Coach of the Year; 2011 Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year; 2010 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year; 2010 Madison Square Garden Coach of the Decade; 2009 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year; 2009 Naismith National Coach of the Year; 2009 USA Basketball Under-19 Head Coach, FIBA World Championship Gold Medal; 2009 USBWA District 2 Coach of the Year; 2009 Woodlands Foundation Spirit Award; 2008 Bob Prince Award winner recipient at Art Rooney Awards Dinner, Catholic Youth Foundation; 2007 TCU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee; 2004 Big East Coach of the Year; 2004 YMCA Person of the Year. Administrative Committees NABC Board of Directors Guardians of the Game, 2011-current; NCAA Ethics Coalition, 2009-current; Leadership Panel-Pentagon, May, 2014. Academic Honors Ranked among nation s Top-10 Percent in the Academic Performance Rate in three of the last four years (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14). Majority of his players have graduated from Pitt (35 of 42). Led the USA Basketball Under-19 Team to the 2009 FIBA World Championship Gold Medal and 9-0 record after inheriting an overhauled roster and assuming head coaching duties a month before competition began. Concluded the 2012-13 season and final in the league as the winningest coach in Big East history with a current.658 winning percentage in league games (127-66), while surpassing several legendary coaches including John Thompson, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, Rick Pitino and Lou Carnesseca. Became the only coach in school history to lead Pitt to its first two 30- win seasons, two No. 1 seeds upon entering the NCAA Tournament, nine consecutive 20-win seasons, eight straight 10-plus win Big East regular seasons and eight straight NCAA Tournaments (2004-11). Directed Pitt to three NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances (2004, 2007 and 2009). Named Madison Square Garden s College Basketball Coach of the Decade (2000-10). Guided Pitt to its second all-time Big East Championship title in 2008. The Panthers became just the second squad in league history to capture the crown after winning four games. Led Pitt to the Big East Championship Final four times. Is one of only nine coaches in NCAA Division I history to win over 100 games during the first four seasons of a coaching career. Reached both 100 wins and 200 wins at Pitt faster than any other head coach in school history. Dixon needed only 126 games to reach the 100-win milestone. Only 14 coaches in the history of college basketball reached 100 career victories faster than Dixon. His 200 victories were accomplished in only 255 total contests. He is one of only 13 coaches in NCAA Division I history to reach 200 victories in 255 games or less. 19
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL NATION S ACTIVE WINNINGEST COACHES (BY PCT.) (Records are as of April 15, 2014) 2013-14 Previous Total Total Coach W-L W-L W-L Pct. Mark Few, Gonzaga 29-7 372-92 401-99.802 Roy Williams, North Carolina 24-10 699-189 723-199.784 John Calipari, Kentucky 29-11 568-166 597-177.771 Thad Matta, Ohio State 25-10 352-103 377-113.770 Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 26-9 957-297 983-306.763 Bo Ryan, Wisconsin 30-8 674-215 704-223.759 Bill Self, Kansas 25-10 507-163 532-173.754 JAMIE DIXON, PITT 26-10 262-86 288-96.750 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 28-6 920-314 948-320.748 Rick Pitino, Louisville 31-6 664-239 695-245.740 Billy Donovan, Florida 36-3 450-186 486-189.720 Amassed a spectacular 11-year 126-64 league regular season record (115-57 Big East; 11-7 ACC). Tallied a 177-27 home record in his first 11 seasons as head coach. Became the first rookie head coach in Big East history to both guide his team to the league s regular season title and earn Big East Coach of the Year honors in 2003-04. Dixon earned those accolades after leading the Panthers to the Big East regular season title and a schoolrecord 31 wins, which ranks as the third highest total in NCAA Division I history for a first-year head coach. Dixon also led Pitt on an 18-game win streak to begin the season, a streak which ranks as the third-best start for a rookie head coach in NCAA Division I history. Guided Pitt to three top-10 percent rankings in the NCAA s Academic Performance Ratings over the last four seasons (2013-14, 2011-12 and 2010-11). An outstanding talent evaluator who is nationally recognized for his coaching know-how, unquestioned character and integrity, recruiting skills, rapport with players and work ethic, Jamie Dixon was introduced as the University of Pittsburgh s 14 th head basketball coach on April 15, 2003. Dixon is a basketball coach who is intelligent, honest, confident, wellspoken and true to his word. He is a family man and complete coach who cares for his players and program to the highest degree. Under Dixon, student-athletes have consistently improved as players on the court and developed as citizens off the court. His players consistently graduate and the Pitt program continually achieves high DIXON IN THE COMMUNITY Maggie Dixon Foundation. Created and designed the Coach Dixon Timeout Program, a yearlong series of workshops designed for his current players to have consistent, on-going contact with Pittsburgh area youth. Created the Maggie Dixon Classic, the nation s premier women s college basketball event, held annually at Madison Square Garden. Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair in Pittsburgh and New York City. Sponsors Oakland Zoo 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament each year benefitting Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Pittsburgh. Commencement speaker at nearby LaRoche College, June, 2012. Spokesman for the United Way fit United program designed to combat child obesity. CARE Foundation which sponsors the Maggie Dixon Classic, the national premier women s college basketball event held annually at Madison Square Garden. Sponsors Coaches vs. Cancer Auction and dinner evening in Pittsburgh each October. American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast keynote speaker. Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Kennometal United Way. Campaign Chairman-Junior Achievement. 2004 YMCA Person of the Year Award winner. Boy Scouts of America. Frank McGuire Foundation Speaker, NYC. Bob Prince Award, Art Rooney Dinner and Catholic Youth Association. Woodlands Foundation Spirit of Golf Award. American Heart Association. Raises funds for The Caring Place, a community supported center that helps grieving children and families cope with the loss of a loved one. HOPE Network Hoops Classic, a charitable event that raises funds to support sports, fitness and recreation programs for disabled children and adults. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. American Diabetes Association. Variety Club-recognition for outstanding community service and fundraising in Pittsburgh. Keynote speaker at numerous non-profit organizations. Dapper Dan Charities 20
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF NCAA DIVISION I ALL-TIME BEST COACHING STARTS (11 YRS.) The NCAA Division I all-time wins list after 11 seasons as a head coach: Coach, Team Seasons W-L Pct. Roy Williams, Kansas 1989-99 305-72.809 Thad Matta, Ohio State/Butler/Xavier 2001-11 292-88.768 Mark Few, Gonzaga 2000-10 291-73.799 JAMIE DIXON, PITT 2003-14 288-96.750 Everett Case, North Carolina State 1947-57 280-71.798 Denny Crum, Louisville 1972-82 263-74.780 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 1977-87 261-84.757 Nolan Richardson, Tulsa/Arkansas 1981-91 260-92.739 John Calipari, Massachusetts/Memphis 1986-96, 01-03 260-101.720 Jerry Tarkanian, LBSU/UNLV 1969-79 259-49.841 Tubby Smith, Tulsa/Georgia/Kentucky 1992-02 256-105.709 APR scores. For Dixon, basketball is a lifestyle, not a job. He believes teamwork, offensive efficiency, defense, rebounding and taking good shots are the key ingredients to winning championships. That philosophy has paid off as Pitt consistently ranks among the nation s top offensive, defensive and rebounding squads. Dixon s 11-year head coaching tenure at Pitt has seen the Panthers compile a remarkable 288-96 record, accumulate a 126-64 league regular season record and earn 10 NCAA Tournament berths and 11 postseason berths, including three Sweet Sixteen appearances (2004, 2007 and 2009) and one NCAA Regional Final (2009). He set an NCAA Division I all-time record for best start to a coaching career after eight seasons with his 216 victories and his.750 career winning percentage currently stands eighth nationally and the third best among active Atlantic Coast Conference coaches. In addition, his.658 career Big East win percentage ranks as the best all-time mark in league play, surpassing such names as Georgetown s John Thompson, Connecticut s Jim Calhoun, Syracuse s Jim Boeheim, Louisville s Rick Pitino and St. John s Lou Carnesseca. Dixon s players at Pitt have excelled as well. Three (Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder; DeJuan Blair, Washington Wizards; Aaron Gray, Detroit Pistons) are currently playing in the NBA, while six have been selected in the NBA Draft. Four of his players have earned consensus All-America honors, 16 were All-Region honorees, 10 earned major league awards YEAR BY YEAR WITH JAMIE DIXON including four Most Improved Player honorees, 17 were named all-league selections and 15 have scored over 1,000 career points. Over the past 15 seasons, Dixon has been the one constant and essential figure in the Panthers dramatic rise to national prominence. The three-year span from 2001-04 produced the winningest period in school history as Pitt won three consecutive Big East regular-season titles, advanced to three straight NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances, captured the program s first-ever Big East Tournament title in 2003 and compiled one of the nation s three best winning percentages (.846 with an 88-16 record) from 2001-04 including a 51-2 home record. In addition, the program opened its sparkling, 12,508-seat Petersen Events Center, the nation s best on-campus basketball venue. Dixon has 23 years of major NCAA Division I coaching experience, including stints at Pitt (15 years), Northern Arizona (four years), Hawaii (three years) and UC-Santa Barbara (one year). Additionally, as an assistant coach, he served under a school s winningest coach in four different stints (winning percentage). His teams have won a combined 10 conference titles, advanced to the postseason during 18 different seasons and his studentathletes have earned five league player of the year awards. He helped turn destitute programs at Pitt, Hawaii and Northern Arizona into winners and has experienced a high level of accomplishment at several different levels. Facing a major rebuilding project, he joined the Pitt staff in 1999 as associate head coach and recruiting Overall Big East CTourn. NCAA Non-Conf. Home Road Neutral vstop-25 vstop-10 Year W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. W-L Pct. 2003-04 31-5.861 13-3.813 2-1.667 2-1.667 14-0 1.000 19-1.950 7-2.778 5-2.714 4-3.571 2-3.667 2004-05 20-9.689 10-6.625 0-1.000 0-1.000 10-1.909 13-4.764 6-3.667 1-2.333 4-3.571 3-0 1.000 2005-06 25-8.758 10-6.625 3-1.750 1-1.500 11-0 1.000 16-1.941 5-5.500 4-2.667 6-3.667 3-1.750 2006-07 29-8.783 12-4.750 2-1.667 2-1.667 13-2.867 16-2.889 8-3.727 5-3.625 2-7.222 0-3.000 2007-08 27-10.730 10-8.556 4-0 1.000 1-1.500 12-1.923 16-2.889 5-7.417 6-1.857 5-4.556 3-0 1.000 2008-09 31-5.861 15-3.833 0-1.000 3-1.750 13-0 1.000 19-0 1.000 7-3.700 5-2.714 6-3.667 3-0 1.000 2009-10 25-9.735 13-5.722 0-1.000 1-1.500 11-2.846 17-1.944 6-4.600 2-4.333 4-4.500 3-2.600 2010-11 28-6.824 15-3.833 0-1.000 1-1.500 12-1.923 17-1.944 7-2.778 4-3.571 6-4.600 3-0 1.000 2011-12 22-17.564 5-13.278 1-1.500 0-0.000 11-2.846 15-7.682 4-9.308 3-1.750 1-5.167 1-1.500 2012-13 24-9.727 12-6.667 0-1.000 0-1.000 12-1.923 16-3.842 6-3.667 2-3.400 3-6.333 1-2.333 2013-14 26-10.722 11-7.611 2-1.667 1-1.500 12-1.923 13-5.722 7-2.778 6-3.667 1-5.167 0-4.000 Career 288-96.750 126-64.663 14-10.583 12-10.545 132-12.917 177-27.868 68-42.618 43-26.623 42-47.472 22-16.579 21
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL coordinator. In four short years, he helped turn the Pitt basketball program into a consistent national power. In 2000-01, the Panthers surged through the conference tournament, earning a surprising Big East Championship title game berth while winning five of their last seven contests. It was that year at Madison Square Garden that the college basketball world first took notice of the emerging Pitt program as the Panthers upset nationally ranked Syracuse, Notre Dame and a surging Miami team to earn the school s firstever championship game berth. That strong finish concluded with a National Invitation Tournament berth, the school s first postseason appearance in four years. The 2001-02 Pitt team built upon that momentum as it finished 29-6 and surpassed the school record of 25 victories set in 1973-74. Pitt won the Big East West championship, the school s first league title of any kind since the 1987-88 campaign, and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in nine seasons (1992-93). The squad also became the first Pitt team to advance to an NCAA Sweet Sixteen since 1973-74 with two NCAA tournament wins over Central Connecticut State and California. With all five starters and nine letterwinners back, the 2002-03 Pitt squad captured the school s first-ever Big East Tournament championship while making its third straight appearance in the title game. It finished 28-5 on the year and advanced to its second consecutive NCAA Sweet Sixteen. The Panthers also won their second straight Big East West title and co-big East regularseason title with a second consecutive 13-3 league record. In addition, the Panthers concluded the inaugural season in the Petersen Events Center with a perfect 16-0 home record and ended the season on a 22-game home win streak. Prior to Pittsburgh, Dixon served as an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii under legendary head coach Riley Wallace for the 1998-99 season and previously was an assistant under Ben Howland at Northern Arizona University (1994-98). He also coached as an assistant with Howland at the University of California-Santa Barbara The Dixon family: Shannon Iwalani, Jamie, Jack Connor and Jacqueline. 22
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF DIXON BY THE NUMBERS (2003-14) COACHING HONORS National Coach of the Year... 4 Region Coach of the Year... 1 Conference Coach of the Year... 1 TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS Overall record... 288-96 Winning percentage....750 30-win seasons... 2 25-win seasons... 8 20-win seasons... 11 20-win/10-league win seasons... 10 10-win league seasons... 10 NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS NCAA Tournament app.... 10 NCAA Tournament wins... 12 NCAA Tournament games... 22 Elite Eight appearances... 1 Sweet Sixteen appearances... 3 Earned No. 1 seed... 2 Earned a high seed (1-5)... 7 Total postseason appearances... 11 CONFERENCE ACHIEVEMENTS Total conference titles... 3 Regular season W-L... 126-64 Regular season win. pct.....663 Regular season titles... 2 Tournament titles... 1 Tournament title game app.... 4 Conference tournament wins... 14 DIXON S PLAYERS NBA players... 5 NBA draftees... 6 Consensus All-Americans... 4 All-Region honorees... 16 Conf. Player of the Year... 1 Conf. Freshman of the Year... 2 Conf. Most Improved Player... 4 Total Conf. award winners... 12 All-Conference selections... 17 Conf. Player of the Week... 16 Conf. Rookie of the Week... 11 1,000-point scorers... 15 College graduates... 36 of 43 (1991-92) under Jerry Pimm before moving on to the University of Hawaii for two seasons (1992-94). While at Northern Arizona, Dixon helped lead the Lumberjacks to a 42-17 record over his last two years, including back-to-back 21-win seasons and a pair of Big Sky regular season championships. Northern Arizona led the nation for three consecutive seasons (1997-99) in 3-point field goal percentage and ranked among the nation s top two schools in overall field goal percentage during that span. In addition, Northern Arizona won 20-plus games in three consecutive seasons and advanced to postseason play two times, including the 1997 NIT and the school s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998. The 1998 Lumberjack squad was one of two teams to reach the NCAA Tournament and carry a team grade point average of 3.0 or better. Howland and Dixon arrived at Northern Arizona for the 1994-95 season. After suffering through backto-back 9-17 and 7-19 seasons, the staff guided Northern Arizona to the 10 th all-time best one-year turnaround in NCAA Division I basketball history, improving the Lumberjacks to a 21-7 record in 1996-97. Dixon completed his first stint as an assistant coach at the University of Hawaii from 1992-94 under head coach Riley Wallace. In 1993-94, he helped lead the Rainbows to their firstever WAC championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly 30 years. Dixon was also instrumental in developing the Rainbows perimeter players, including former Phoenix Suns guard and Buffalo, N.Y. native Trevor Ruffin. In his second stint at Hawaii (1998-99), he worked with the perimeter players including former Denver Nugget Predrag Savovic and concentrated on recruiting both nationally and abroad. At UC-Santa Barbara, Dixon helped lead the Gauchos to an NIT appearance in 1992. Dixon began his coaching career in 1989 as the head coach at TeAute College in New Zealand before serving as an assistant coach from 1989-91 at Los Angeles Valley Junior College where he helped Head Coach Jim Stephens lead the school to a Western States Conference Championship. A North Hollywood, Calif. native, Dixon attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., where he earned All-Del Rey League and All- California Interscholastic Federation honors. Dixon enjoyed a successful four-year career at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas where he played for Jim Killingsworth and led the Horned Frogs to two Southwest Conference titles as a junior and senior. He earned All-SWC honors in 1987 and was an All-SWC Academic performer. Additionally, he led the SWC in assists as a senior, earned the Henry Iba Award as MVP of the All-College Tournament and was voted TCU s Senior Male Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. He was inducted into the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. Dixon received his bachelor s degree in finance from TCU in 1987 and earned a master s degree in economics from UC-Santa Barbara in 1992. Dixon was selected in the 1987 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets. He went on to play professionally with the Lacrosse Catbirds of the Continental Basketball Association and also in New Zealand before getting involved with collegiate coaching. Dixon is married to the former Jacqueline Corteway. The couple has one son, Jack Connor, born June 2, 2002, and a daughter, Shannon Iwalani, born Feb. 25, 2004. His wife earned a Masters Degree in speech language pathology at the University of Pittsburgh in 2003. The son of New York City natives Jim and Marge, Dixon spent much of his childhood in the Bronx. He has two sisters: the late Maggie Dixon, who served as head women s basketball coach at the United States Military Academy, and Julie Dixon, who is a Los Angeles attorney. 23
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL DIXON VS. OPPONENTS Opponent W-L Akron... 1-0 Alabama... 1-0 Albany... 3-0 American... 1-0 Auburn... 2-0 Belmont... 1-0 Bethune-Cookman... 1-0 Binghamton... 1-0 Boston College... 4-0 Boston U.... 1-0 Bradley... 0-1 Bucknell... 0-1 Buffalo... 2-0 Butler... 1-1 Cal Poly... 1-0 Central Florida... 1-0 Chicago State... 1-0 Cincinnati... 7-4 Clemson... 2-0 Colorado... 1-0 Connecticut... 9-7 Coppin State... 2-0 Dayton... 1-1 Delaware... 1-0 Delaware State... 3-0 DePaul... 9-1 Detroit... 1-0 Duquesne... 11-0 Duke... 1-1 East Tennessee State... 1-0 Eastern Kentucky... 1-0 Fairleigh Dickinson... 1-0 Florida... 0-1 Florida A&M... 1-0 Florida State... 3-1 Fordham... 1-0 Fresno State... 1-0 Georgetown... 8-6 Georgetown, Ky.... 1-0 Georgia... 1-0 Georgia Tech... 1-0 Houston Baptist... 1-0 Howard... 3-0 Illinois-Chicago... 1-0 Indiana... 0-1 Indiana, Pa.... 1-0 Lafayette... 1-0 LaSalle... 1-0 Lehigh... 2-0 Long Beach State... 0-1 Louisville... 5-7 Loyola (Md.)... 1-0 Loyola Marymount... 1-0 Kennesaw State... 1-0 Kent State... 2-0 Maine... 1-0 Marquette... 6-7 Maryland... 3-0 Maryland-Baltimore County... 1-0 Maryland Eastern Shore... 1-0 Massachusetts... 1-0 Memphis... 1-0 Miami, Fla.... 2-0 Miami, Ohio... 1-0 Michigan... 0-1 Michigan State... 0-1 Mississippi Valley State... 1-0 Mount St. Mary s... 2-0 Murray State... 1-0 New Hampshire... 2-0 North Carolina... 1-1 North Carolina A&T... 1-0 UNC Asheville... 1-0 North Carolina State... 1-1 North Florida... 2-0 Northeastern... 1-0 Notre Dame... 7-6 Oakland... 3-0 Ohio... 1-0 Oklahoma State... 3-2 Oral Roberts... 1-0 Pacific... 0-1 Penn... 2-0 Penn State... 4-0 Princeton... 1-0 Providence... 10-1 Rhode Island... 1-0 Richmond... 1-0 Rider... 2-0 Robert Morris... 8-0 Rutgers... 6-3 St. Francis, N.Y.... 1-0 St. Francis, Pa.... 3-0 Saint Louis... 1-0 St. John s... 10-3 Savannah State... 1-0 Saint Peters... 1-0 Seton Hall... 7-4 Siena... 1-0 South Carolina... 2-0 South Carolina State... 1-0 South Florida... 6-3 Stanford... 1-0 Syracuse... 10-6 Tennessee... 1-1 Texas... 1-1 Texas Tech... 2-0 Toledo... 1-0 UCLA... 0-1 Vermont... 2-0 Villanova... 10-5 Virginia... 0-2 Virginia Commonwealth... 1-0 VMI... 1-0 Virginia Tech... 3-0 Wagner... 0-1 Wake Forest... 2-0 Washington... 2-0 Washington State... 3-1 West Virginia... 12-7 Western Michigan... 1-0 Wichita State... 1-1 William & Mary... 1-0 Wisconsin... 2-1 Wofford... 2-0 Wright State... 1-0 Xavier... 1-1 Youngstown State... 3-0 Career Record... 288-96 Sister is the late Maggie Dixon, who served as the head women s basketball coach at the United States Military Academy (2005-06) and as an assistant coach at DePaul. In 2006, Jamie and Maggie became the first brother-sister duo in NCAA Division I history to guide their teams to the NCAA Tournament in the same season. A week later after the Final Four, Maggie tragically died of a heart arrhythmia. A vibrant, passionate and successful coach, Maggie was only 28 years old. In Maggie s honor, the Maggie Dixon Classic is held each year at Madison Square Garden. It has become the nation s premier women s college basketball event and held in conjunction with the Maggie Dixon Heart Health Fair. Dixon and his family have created the Maggie Dixon Foundation, a non-profit organization with two goals: to educate youth on heart health awareness and the promotion of women s college basketball. Dixon saved two people from a car that flipped several times after veering off and hitting a guardrail on I-279 North. Dixon s initial thought was that no one would survive this event. He was the first person on the scene and cracked the windshield while pulling a female passenger from the wreckage. FAST FACTS ABOUT JAMIE DIXON When asked about the incident, Dixon simply responded, I did what anyone else in Pittsburgh would have done given the situation. I just happened to be there. Dixon s grandparents, who emigrated from Ireland, met in Pittsburgh in the 1920s. They met and fell in love in Pittsburgh and lived in the city for five years before moving to New York. As a young boy, Dixon s grandparents would tell him stories about the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dixon instantly became a Pirates and Roberto Clemente fan as he hung a poster of the All-Star on his wall. He has had several opportunities to throw out the first pitch at Pirates games. Dixon is still known in New Zealand as one of the best professional players to compete there. He once scored 61 points for a New Zealand traveling all-star team against Sam Houston State. Dixon played professionally for the Hawke s Bay Hawks and began his coaching career at Te Aute College in 1989. As a player at TCU, Dixon made a dramatic halfcourt shot at the buzzer to defeat Texas and win the Southwest Conference championship. For years, the clip was used in SWC promotional videos and Dixon remains famous in Fort Worth. The clip can be found on Youtube along with a post-game interview with Dixon. Dixon s playing career came to halt while playing professional basketball in Holland. After he collided with an opponent, he nearly died of a ruptured pancreas. He underwent several operations and did not eat for 50 days during a three-month hospital stay. As a youngster growing up in North Hollywood, Dixon had an acting career. He still is a card-carrying member of the Screen Actors Guild. In his early 20s, Dixon was in a Bud Light commercial that featured a woman dunking on him. The commercial was one of the more popular basketball ads of the year and aired on virtually every basketball event. At age 12, Dixon fired a space gun in a commercial for Mattel. At age 10, he was the star of a TV commercial for Rice Krispies, pretending to celebrate a birthday while eating cereal. At age 5, he did a TV commercial for Volvo, sitting in the back seat and smiling while his father played the driver. He was also in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial. Father Jim Dixon was an actor and screenwriter who starred in a variety of movies and productions. Sister, Julie is an attorney for Los Angeles County. 24
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF WHAT THEY VE SAID ABOUT JAMIE DIXON What a franchise Jamie Dixon has built here in Pittsburgh. He has had all of his success without having the high draft picks. Jamie Dixon s one problem is that he s always in a hurry. He s in a hurry to win 100 games, in a hurry to win 200. Next thing you know, he ll be at 300! -Bill Raftery, ESPN One of the things that makes Jamie Dixon such a great coach is that he s working just as hard and is just as intense with a 17-point lead as he works when he s down. -Bob Knight, ESPN Pitt has two dominant traits: 1. They re unselfish. By passing extensively, Pitt churns the clock, works for better shots and, above all, keeps the opponent from tracking any one player. 2. They re tough. What Pitt lacks in pure shooting it more than makes up by outscratching and outclawing opponents. -Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pitt plays with great toughness. They share the ball well. They know excatly who they are and they rarely take a bad shot...that s who they are. -Brian Gregory, Head Coach, Georgia Tech Jamie s teams play every possession with intensity no matter the score. His players are well coached, they know how to play, they are tough, do things the right way, they listen to their coach and they execute the right way. -Bob Knight, ESPN There is a legacy of success that has been established under Jamie Dixon. Guys like Ashton Gibbs, Gilbert Brown and Gary McGhee, they went hard every day in practice against the likes of Levance Fields, Tyrell Biggs, DeJuan Blair and Sam Young. That gave them confidence going into the new year. The beat just goes on at Pitt. -Fran Fraschilla, ESPN I hate to sound like a recruiting advertisement for the guy, but what player wouldn t want to play for Jamie Dixon? -Jay Bilas, ESPN Jamie Dixon has done such a fantastic job since taking over the program. They have won more games at Pitt than any Big East school over the last eight years. -Dan Shulman, ESPN Dixon is revered in Pittsburgh and the Panthers view him as their version of Mike Krzyzewski, a coach who can leave a legacy for years to come. -Andy Katz, ESPN.com on June 15, 2009 Jamie Dixon has established himself as one of the finest collegiate coaches there is in the game today and this summer he proved himself on the international court too. In leading the USA Men s Under 19 Team to the World Championship, he not only accomplished something that the United States had not done since 1990, but to do so he had to quickly form a team from 12 individual players and earn their respect and confidence. He obviously did so and his team responded by winning it s nine games in an impressive team manner. -Jerry Colangelo, Chairman, USA Basketball Nobody has done a better job of establishing a culture that focuses on the team. -Mike DeCourcy, The Sporting News Jamie Dixon knows what he s doing. Pitt s made the NCAA Tournament every year and he s always able to build and coach teams with the toughness and skills to win in one of the toughest conferences in basketball. -Brent Jones, USA Today in April 6, 2009 Pitt s secret is in the details. It s in the weight room, the practice gym and the hearts that beat inside those chests. Watch Pitt s players and you see them continue to be aggressive even after they make mistakes. That goes back to Jamie Dixon believing in them and creating an environment in which they come to believe in each other. One thing players know is that the coach won t punish them for every blunder. -Joe Starkey, Pittsburgh Tribune- Review on January 17, 2010 Sought after Dixon building a second home in Pittsburgh Dixon has never not won at least 20 games in a season, never not won at least 10 Big East games in a year, never not made the Field of 65. Career record: 163-45. Career Big East record: 70-30 Pitt has everything he needs. -Gary Parrish, CBS Sportsline Pitt wasn t supposed to be this good this season. Pitt had to replace four starters-including DeJuan Blair and Sam Young, now in the NBA- from last season s 31-5 team. A down year seemed inevitable. Big East coaches picked Pitt to finish ninth in their preseason poll. But there Pitt is this morning, in third place in the conference. I believe any team can be as good as it desires to be. That s all Dixon knows. It s how he lives and coaches. It s the rock-solid foundation up on which Pitt s great program is built. -Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Loyalty at this level, in any sport, is unique. Chasing the big bucks is more the norm, but what has changed over 25 Jamie Dixon s tenure is how much Pitt has become a destination job. Pitt is arguably one of the premier jobs in the Big East, which makes it one of the top gigs in the country. -Andy Katz, ESPN.com on May 9, 2008 Jamie Dixon, you just led your USA Basketball team to the world championship. What are you going to do next? I m going to Georgia, recruiting! Dixon takes his best shot at a challenge any challenge then moves on to the next. And you wonder why Dixon is one of the top coaches in America? Correct that. One of the top coaches in the world? -Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 15, 2009 Jamie cares as much or more about people than any coach I ve ever been around. That s a unique characteristic, to be that driven and yet care about other people. -Steve Pederson, Pitt Athletic Director Jamie is probably the most grounded person I know. And he possibly is the most focused person I know. When he is coaching, he is coaching 100 percent. And when he is with his family, he is doing that 100 percent. He is really able to focus completely on whatever he is doing, and that s rare. -Steve Pederson, Pitt Athletic Director Jamie Dixon is a Helluva Basketball Coach The way Jamie Dixon handled this team has to be very encouraging to Pitt fans whose entire rotation is in flux heading into next season. The Under-19 World Championships proved that Jamie Dixon can find a way to win with any hand he s been dealt. -Paul Sievers, Bleacher Report, July 14, 2009 I remember Dixon s response to Mike Cook s injury against Duke last season at Madison Square Garden. The coach didn t just monitor the situation, as many would have done, even though it occurred at a crucial point in a huge game. Instead, he raced out and knelt beside Cook, holding Cook s hand as the player writhed in pain. I ll never forget that about coach Dixon, Cook said later. That meant a lot to me and my family. I remember I looked up and saw him for a second. I saw his face. He really felt for me. If this coach can t be taken at his word, no coach can. -Joe Starkey, Pittsburgh Tribune- Review on Sept. 26, 2008, after Cook tore his ACL in overtime vs. Duke At Pitt, Dixon made the right choice when he headed into coaching. He has been brilliant since inheriting the Panthers job when Ben Howland left to become the leader at UCLA. Pitt realized what a gem they had in front of them. Dixon, in his own style, has created something special with his players. -Dick Vitale, ESPN on February 13, 2007 Not only is Jamie Dixon a great basketball coach, but he s a class gentleman in every way. -Dick Groat Dixon is a humble and reserved person. But he is also a fierce competitor -John Grupp, Pittsburgh Tribune- Review on January 6, 2008 The Panthers win by doing the little things. They rebound, they play defense, they play together. If they don t have top-10 talent, they do have top-10 tenacity, top-10 grit, top-10 hustle and a top-10 belief in themselves. -Josh Herwitt, Fox Sports Net Dixon s teams always play hard, always play defense and always play unselfish basketball. -Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on January 6, 2009 Dixon does a fantastic job of getting his team to understand the importance of playing as a unit on both ends of the court. They are very unselfish and they share the ball well. It is always tough to beat the Panthers because they have great chemistry, talent and are well-coached. -Dick Vitale, ESPN Nobody in his right mind expected this inexperienced, undersized team to start 13-2 and 3-0 in the Big East, including back-to-back wins at Syracuse and Cincinnati. It s the first week of January, and I m wondering if it s already Dixon s best coaching job. -Joe Starkey, Pittsburgh Tribune- Review on January 8, 2010 The best coach in the city That designation falls to Jamie Dixon. What Jamie Dixon does with the talent he has puts him, in my estimation, at the top of the list in Pittsburgh. What sets Dixon apart is that he can win with lesser talent. That is the mark of a great coach. Nobody gets their players to play harder, no one gets a greater commitment to defense and team. He takes the ordinary and makes them excellent...it has to be Dixon because it happens too often. Expect surprises from the Panthers, expect their players to continue to get better and expect Dixon to continue being the best coach in the city. -Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Post- Gazette, Jan. 6, 2010
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL DIXON BY THE NUMBERS FASTEST TO 200 WINS-NCAA HISTORY BY GAMES (According to the NCAA Division I recordbook, pg. 153) Coach, School GP W-L Pct. Yr. Year Clair Bee, Rider/Long Island 231 200-31.866 12 th 1938 Jerry Tarkanian, LBSU/UNLV 234 200-34.855 9 th 1977 Mark Few, Gonzaga 247 200-47.810 8 th 2007 Everett Case, North Carolina State 250 200-50.800 9 th 1954 Harold Anderson, Toledo/BSGU 251 200-51.797 10 th 1945 Nat Holman, CCNY 251 200-51.797 18 th 1937 Adolph Rupp, Kentucky 251 200-51.797 13 th 1943 Roy Williams, Kansas 252 200-52.794 8 th 1996 Vic Bubas, Duke 254 200-54.787 10 th 1969 Denny Crum, Louisville 254 200-54.787 9 th 1980 Henry Iba, NWMS/Colorado/Okla St. 254 200-54.787 11 th 1940 Doc Meanwell, Miss./Wisconsin 254 200-54.787 15 th 1927 JAMIE DIXON, PITT 255 200-55.784 8 th 2010 BY TOTAL SEASONS (According to NCAA Division I recordbook, pg. 153) Coach, School GP W-L Pct. Yr. Year Mark Few, Gonzaga 247 200-47.810 8 th 2007 Roy Williams, Kansas 252 200-52.794 8 th 1996 JAMIE DIXON, PITT 255 200-55.784 8 th 2010 Jerry Tarkanian, LBSU/UNLV 234 200-34.855 9 th 1977 Everett Case, North Carolina State 250 200-50.800 9 th 1954 Denny Crum, Louisville 254 200-54.787 9 th 1980 Jim Boeheim, Syracuse 266 200-66.752 9 th 1985 Bruce Weber, SIU/Illinois 272 200-72.735 9 th 2007 Pete Gillen, Xavier 273 200-73.733 9 th 1994 Harold Anderson, Toledo/BSGU 251 200-51.797 10 th 1945 Vic Bubas, Duke 254 200-54.787 10 th 1969 Fred Schaus, WVU/Purdue 266 200-66.752 10 th 1976 Lou Carnesecca, St. John s 271 200-71.738 10 th 1978 ALL-TIME COACHING WINS AT PITT Head Coach Years Record Pct. H.C. Carlson, 1922-53 31 367-247.598 JAMIE DIXON, 2003-13 11 288-96.750 Robert Timmons, 1953-68 15 174-189.479 Paul Evans, 1986-94 8 147-98.600 Dr. George M. Flint, 1911-21 10 105-68.607 Roy Chipman, 1980-86 6 102-76.573 FASTEST TO 100 COACHING WINS IN PITT HISTORY Coach Games to 100 W-L 1st Year Date of 100th win JAMIE DIXON 126 100-26 2003 Feb. 19, 2007 H.C. Carlson 140 100-40 1922 Feb. 22, 1930 Paul Evans 156 100-56 1986 Nov. 20, 1991 JAMIE DIXON ALL-TIME COACHING RECORDS (1989-2014) Year School W L W L Team accomplishments 1989-90 L.A.Valley J.C. (AC) 22 11 13 2 Western States Conference regular season title 1990-91 L.A.Valley J.C. (AC) 20 13 8 2 None 1991-92 UC-Santa Barbara (AC) 20 9 13 5 NIT 1992-93 Hawaii (AC) 12 16 7 11 None 1993-94 Hawaii (AC) 18 15 11 7 NCAA Tournament, WAC Tournament title, first NCAA appearance in 22 years 1994-95 Northern Arizona (AC) 9 17 4 10 None 1995-96 Northern Arizona (AC) 7 19 3 11 None 1996-97 Northern Arizona (AC) 21 7 14 2 Big Sky regular season title, 10 th largest single season turnaround in NCAA Division I history 1997-98 Northern Arizona (AC) 21 8 13 3 NCAA Tournament, Big Sky regular season title, Big Sky Tournament title, first NCAA Tourney appearance in school history, led nation in 3-point percentage and ranked second in field goal percentage 1998-99 Hawaii (AC) 6 20 3 11 None 1999-00 Pitt (AHC) 13 15 5 11 None 2000-01 Pitt (AHC) 19 14 7 9 NIT Second Round, Big East Tourney runner-up, defeated four nationally ranked opponents, Pitt s first winning season since 1996-97 2001-02 Pitt (AHC) 29 6 13 3 NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Big East West regular season title, Big East Tourney runner-up, school record 29 wins, guided Pitt to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992-93 2002-03 Pitt (AHC) 28 5 13 3 NCAA Sweet Sixteen, co-big East West regular season title, Big East Tourney champions 2003-04 *Pitt 31 5 13 3 NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Big East regular season title, Big East Tourney runner-up 2004-05 *Pitt 20 9 10 6 NCAA Tournament 2005-06 *Pitt 25 8 10 6 NCAA Tournament, Big East Tourney runner-up 2006-07 *Pitt 29 8 12 4 NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Big East Tourney runner-up 2007-08 *Pitt 27 10 10 8 Big East Tournament champions, NCAA Tournament 2008-09 *Pitt 31 5 15 3 NCAA Elite Eight, NCAA Sweet Sixteen, Big East regular season second place finish, No. 1 national ranking, NCAA No. 1 seed 2009-10 *Pitt 25 9 13 5 NCAA Tournament, Big East regular season second place finish, NCAA No. 3 seed 2010-11 *Pitt 28 6 15 3 NCAA No. 1 seed, Big East regular season outright champions 2011-12 *Pitt 22 17 5 13 CBI Champions 2012-13 *Pitt 24 9 12 6 NCAA Tournament 2013-14 *Pitt 26 10 11 7 NCAA Tournament ^Totals 288 96 126 64 *Head Coach; ^Totals are as a head coach; (AHC) Associate Head Coach; (AC) Assistant Coach. DIXON COACHING TREE After only 11 years as a head coach, Dixon has had numerous coaches serve under him who have gone on to become head or assistant coaches at other schools: Pat Skerry, Head Coach-Towson (2011-current) Barry Rohrssen, Assistant Coach- Kentucky (2014-current), Assistant Coach-Pitt (2013-14), Head Coach-Manhattan (2006-11) Tom Herrion, Head Coach- Marshall (2010-13) Joe Lombardi, Head Coach- Indiana, Pa. (2006-current) Orlando Antigua, Head Coach- South Florida (2014-current), Assistant Coach-Kentucky (2008-14), Assistant Coach- Memphis (2005-08) John Alesi, Head Coach-Baruch College, N.Y. (2011-current), Assistant Coach-Manhattan David Cox, Associate Head Coach-Rutgers (2010-14), Assistant Coach-Georgetown (2007-10) Rasheen Davis, Assistant Coach- Manhattan (2012-current), Assistant Coach-Xavier (2010-12) 26
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF BRANDIN KNIGHT ASSISTANT COACH Pittsburgh 05 Ninth Season at Pitt Former University of Pittsburgh star and retired No. 20 jersey honoree Brandin Knight begins his seventh year as an assistant coach at Pitt. In his ninth total season on Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon s staff, Knight is responsible for recruiting studentathletes, scouting opponents, game preparation and on-floor coaching. Brandin has always been a tremendous asset for our program, Dixon said. As a player, Brandin proved to be an exceptional leader and a coach on the floor. Through the years, he has developed into an outstanding basketball coach. He has been a terrific role model for our players and was instrumental in turning our program around. In addition, he has always remained loyal to Pitt. Following his Pitt career, Knight played two seasons with the NBDL s Asheville Altitude. He helped lead the Altitude to back-to-back league titles in both 2003-04 and 2004-05. In 2005, he signed a contract with the NBA s Houston Rockets, but suffered a knee injury two weeks later. Knight spent the following two years in Pittsburgh rehabbing the injury. During that span, Knight got involved with coaching. He coached several AAU teams, including a squad that captured the Under-16 Pittsburgh Jamfest title in 2006. Knight joined Dixon s staff in 2006-07 as its Program Assistant/Video Coordinator and served the 2007-08 season as Director of Men s Basketball Operations. A Pitt point guard from 1999-2003, Knight s leadership was largely responsible for Pitt s basketball renaissance. The transformation of Pitt s basketball program into a national power can be attributed largely to Knight who led the dramatic turnaround. Pitt finished 13-15 during his freshman year, improved to 19-14 with a surprise Big East Championship Finals appearance and NIT berth as a sophomore, then burst onto the national stage with a 29-6 record, Big East regular season title, national top- 10 ranking and NCAA Sweet Sixteen The Knight family: son Brandin, Brandin, Michelle and Kylah. berth during his junior season in 2001-02. As a senior in 2002-03, Knight s Panthers maintained that success with a 28-5 record, co-big East regular season title and second straight NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance. In the end, Knight helped lead Pitt to two consecutive Big East regular season titles (2001-02 and 2002-03), two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances (2002 and 2003), the program s firstever Big East Tournament title (2003), three consecutive appearances in the Big East Tournament final (2001, 2002, and 2003) and an 89-40 (.690) fouryear record. A 2003 Wooden All-America team selection, 2002 Associated Press All- America team member and two-time All-Big East honoree, Knight concluded his career with 1,440 points, 785 assists, 492 rebounds and 298 steals. He earned the Big East s co-most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player awards in 2001-02. Knight still holds school records for career assists (785), career assist average (6.2 apg.), career steals (298), career 3-point field goal attempts (261), season minutes THE BRANDIN KNIGHT FILE Birthdate: December 16, 1981. Hometown: East Orange, N.J. Education: Bachelor of Arts History, University of Pittsburgh, 2005; Seton Hall Prep, 1999. Coaching Career Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2008-current; Director of Men s Basketball Operations, University of Pittsburgh, 2007-08; Program Assistant/Video Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh, 2006-07. Playing Career University of Pittsburgh, 1999-2003 Fourth jersey retired in school history (No. 20); Retired prior to Pitt s game vs. Marquette on March 4, 2009; Four-year starter at point guard; scored 1,440 points, finished with 785 assists and 492 rebounds; Pitt s career recordholder in assists (785), assist average (6.2), steals (298) and season minutes played (1,284); selected to the 2003 Wooden All- America team, 2002 AP All-American; two-time All-Big East team member; named the Big East Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player in 2001-02; guided Pitt to its first-ever Big East Tournament title in 2003, two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances (2002 and 2003) and back-to-back Big East regular season titles in 2001-02 and 2002-03. NBDL s Asheville Altitude, 2003-05 Guided the Altitude to back-to-back NBDL titles (2003-04 and 2004-05). NBA s Houston Rockets, 2005 played (1,284 in 2001-02) and consecutive games played with at least one assist (91 from 2000-03). Knight s No. 20 jersey was retired in a ceremony prior to the Panthers Marquette game on March 4, 2009. Knight, who graduated with a History degree from Pitt in June, 2005, is a native of East Orange, N.J. His brother, Brevin, is a 12-year NBA veteran who was a consensus All- America point guard at Stanford (1994-97). The Knights represent only one of eight brother combinations in NCAA Division I history to earn All- America honors, a distinguished list that includes Marv and Vern Huffman, Eddie and Johnny O Brien, Dick and Tom Van Arsdale, Mike and Willie Sojourner, Albert and Bernard King, Jim and John Paxson and Harvey and Horace Grant. His father Melvin, a former Seton Hall assistant basketball coach (1978-82) and player (1968-71), serves as the athletic director at Essex County College (N.J.). Knight resides in Pittsburgh with his wife Michelle, daughter Kylah (11) and son Brandin (4). 27
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL BILL BARTON ASSISTANT COACH Salem State 89 Fourth Season at Pitt A New England native with extensive East Coast prep school recruiting ties, Bill Barton begins his fourth season at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant coach. Barton s main responsibilities include recruiting student-athletes, game preparation and on-floor coaching. Regarded as one of the top recruiters on the East Coast, Barton owns over 18 years of combined coaching experience, including each of the last seven seasons at the NCAA Division I level. With his numerous contacts, Bill assists us in recruiting, scouting and player development, Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said. We are fortunate to have a coach with his well-rounded and vast background. He also has extensive recruiting contacts on the East Coast and in the Big East region. Prior to his stint at Pitt, Barton spent 2010-11 as an assistant coach at Marshall University under Tom Herrion, a former Pitt associate head coach from 2007-10. In 2010-11, the Thundering Herd finished 22-12 overall, tied for fifth place in Conference USA with a 9-7 record and received an invitation to compete in the CollegeInsider postseason Tournament. Prior to his year at Marshall, Barton spent three seasons at Duquesne University (2007-10) on Ron Everhart s staff, including two years as associate head coach. Barton played an instrumental role in the recruitment of two-time Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year Damien Saunders and 2008 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year Shawn James. Saunders scored over 1,000 points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds in his four-year career. Barton also helped Everhart sign a 2008-09 recruiting class that ranked 28 th in the nation by HoopScoop.com. During his three years at Duquesne, the Dukes made two postseason appearances including an NIT berth and 21-13 record in 2008-09. Prior to joining the NCAA Division I coaching ranks, Barton served 10 seasons (1997-2007) as the Head Coach at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass. Barton built the Notre Dame Prep program into a national powerhouse as he guided the school to back-to-back Prep School National Championships in 2005-06 and 2006-07, posting a 255-66 overall record and.794 winning percentage. Barton specialized in player development as over 70 of his former players went on to earn NCAA Division I scholarships. Five of those players Marcus Douthit (Los Angeles Lakers, 2 nd round, 56 th overall in 2004), Ryan Gomes (Boston Celtics, 2 nd round, 50 th overall in 2005), Will Blalock (Detroit Pistons, 2 nd round, 30 th overall in 2006), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat, 1 st round, 2 nd overall in 2008) and Lazar Hayward (Washington Wizards, 1 st round, 30 th overall in 2010) were drafted by NBA teams. Some of the other prominent players who attended Notre Dame Prep include: Carl Krauser (Pitt), Modibo Diarra (Memphis), Chester Frazier (Illinois), Paul Harris (Syracuse), Brandon Robinson (Auburn) and Gary Ervin (Arkansas). Barton, who completed his undergraduate degree in business at Salem State (Mass.) in 1989, earned a master s in business administration from Suffolk University (Mass.) in 1991. He put those degrees to work at Notre Dame Prep, where he also served as the school principal and athletic director as well as an English teacher. A native of Boston, Mass., Barton and his wife, Susan, have two daughters, Maeve (13) and Nell (11). Hometown: Boston, Mass. THE BILL BARTON FILE Education: Bachelor of Science Business, Salem State University, 1989; Master s degree Business Administration, Suffolk University (Mass.), 1991. Family: Wife Susan, two daughters Maeve (13) and Nell (11). Coaching Career Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2011-current; Assistant Coach, Marshall University, 2010-11; Associate Head Coach, Duquesne University, 2008-10; Assistant Coach, Duquesne University, 2007-08; Head Coach, Notre Dame Prep (Mass.), 1997-2007. Coaching Experience Compiled a 255-66 overall record and.794 winning percentage in 10 seasons at Notre Dame Prep (Mass.); Led Notre Dame Prep to back-toback Prep School National Championships in both 2005-06 and 2006-07; Under his guidance, Notre Dame also posted over 20 prep tournament and invitational wins; Over 70 of his players at Notre Dame Prep went on to earn NCAA Division I basketball scholarships; Five former players were selected in the NBA Draft: Marcus Douthit (2004 Los Angeles Lakers, 2nd round, 56th overall), Ryan Gomes (2005 Boston Celtics, 2nd round, 50th overall), Will Blalock (2006 Detroit Pistons, 2nd round, 30th overall), Michael Beasley (2008 Miami Heat, 1st round, 2nd overall) and Lazar Hayward (2010 Washington Wizards, 1st round, 30th overall). The Barton family: Bill, Maeve, wife Susan and Nell. 28
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF MARLON WILLIAMSON ASSISTANT COACH Youngstown State, 83 First Season at Pitt Detroit native Marlon Williamson begins his first season at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant coach. Known as a top-notch recruiter with extensive ties throughout the Midwest and East Coast, Williamson s main responsibilities at Pitt will include recruiting student-athletes, game preparation and on-floor coaching. We are excited about Marlon becoming a member of the University of Pittsburgh community and I know he is ecstatic to be coming aboard, Dixon said. As a former point guard with strong knowledge of the game, Marlon will help us in recruiting, scouting and player development. We are fortunate to have a coach with his well-rounded background. Marlon is also extremely excited to be a part of our staff considering his family ties to Pittsburgh. Williamson spent the previous two seasons (2012-14) at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst as an assistant basketball coach under Derek Kellogg. During Williamson s two years at UMass, the program experienced its most success in two decades as it accumulated a combined 45-21 overall record and recorded back-to-back postseason appearances (2013 NIT and 2014 NCAA). Last year, the Minutemen earned their first NCAA Tournament bid in 16 seasons as they earned a No. 6 seed, finished 24-9 overall and 10-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference play. Prior to his two-year stint at UMass, Williamson spent nine years working with The Family, an AAU program based in his hometown of Detroit, Mich., where he served as President of Youth Operations and Head Coach. Williamson s duties with The Family included opponent scouting, practice scheduling, monitoring of the athlete s academic progress and counseling the players on educational programs. Some of the top players to emerge from The Family included Joe Crawford (Kentucky), Jordan Crawford (Indiana/ Xavier), Chris Douglas-Roberts (Memphis), Draymond Green (Michigan State), Malik Hairston (Oregon) and James Young (Kentucky). Six of his players were selected in the NBA Draft. Along with his coaching duties with The Family, Williamson spent four years as Corporate Trainer with Associated Community Services, two years as Director of Purchasing and Sales with Charter Schools Administrative Services and two years as Transportation Manager with ABC Transportation. Williamson was a four-year letterman at Youngstown State from 1999-2003, serving as team captain during his senior season. As the starting point guard as a senior in 2003, he averaged 8.1 points, 4.9 assists and 2.2 steals per game en route to being named to the Horizon League s All-Defensive Team and YSU s team most valuable player. Over his four-year career with the Penguins, Williamson scored 379 points, dished out 199 assists and converted 45 3- pointers in 99 career games. He also starred at Detroit s Cass Tech High School. Williamson, whose father is a Pittsburgh native and attended Peabody H.S., earned a bachelor s degree in Global Studies from Youngstown State in 2012. Williamson and his wife Angela have a daughter, Marli (5). THE MARLON WILLIAMSON FILE Hometown: Detroit, Mich. Education: Bachelor of Science-Global Studies, Youngstown State University, 2012. Family: Wife Angela, daughter Marli (5). Coaching Career Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 2014-current; Assistant Coach, University of Massachusetts, 2012-14. Coaching Experience President of Youth Operations and Head Coach, The Family, AAU program in Detroit, Mich, 2003-12. Over 90 of his players with The Family went on to earn NCAA Division I basketball scholarships; Six of his former AAU players were selected in the NBA Draft: Chris Douglas- Roberts (2008 New Jersey Nets, 2nd round, 40th overall), Malik Hairston (2008 Phoenix Suns, 2nd round, 48th overall), Joe Crawford (2008 Los Angeles Lakers, 2nd round, 58th overall), Jordan Crawford (2010 New Jersey Nets, 2nd round, 27th overall), Dremond Green (2012 Golden State Warriors, 35th overall), James Young (2014 Boston Celtics, 17th overall). The Williamson family: Marlon, wife Angela and Marli. Playing Career Youngstown State, 1999-2003 Earned Horizon League All-Defensive team honors as a senior; Four-year letterwinner at point guard; Named team captain and earned team MVP honors as a senior; In 99 career games, scored 379 points, dished out 199 assists and hit 45 3-pointers. 29
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL BRIAN REGAN ASST. A.D./DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Saint Vincent 88 Eighth Season at Pitt A native of Pittsburgh s Northside, Brian Regan is in his eighth season as the University of Pittsburgh s Director of Basketball Operations. Regan s association with Pitt Basketball goes back more than 30 years when he first attended the Play Basketball Day Camps, directed by then Pitt coach Tim Grgurich. As Assistant Athletic Director/ Director of Men s Basketball Operations, Regan s various responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of the men s basketball program, serving as a liaison to athletic department officials and coordinating the student-athletes practice, gameday and daily schedules. He also coordinates the program s summer camp schedule and monitors academic progress. During the summer of 2010, he organized Pitt Basketball s Summer Tour to Ireland. THE BRIAN REGAN FILE Birthdate: August 13, 1965. Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Northside). We are excited to have Brian as our Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Operations, Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon said. Brian has proved to be a valuable part of our program and has played a key role in our success. He brings with him extensive experience at several different levels. He is also thrilled to be working at Pitt and in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Regan, who joined the Pitt staff in 2007-08 as its Video Coordinator, has a combined 27 years of college coaching experience. He spent five seasons (2002-07) as an assistant basketball coach at Colgate University under Head Coach Emmett Davis. As a top assistant at Colgate, Regan s responsibilities included recruiting, scouting and coordinating the Raiders summer basketball day and elite prospect camps. He also served as academic coordinator for the program. Prior to his stint at Colgate, Regan served three years (1999-2002) as an associate head coach at Assumption College under Head Coach Tom Ackerman. In 2001-02, Assumption posted one of its most successful seasons in school history, advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament Sweet Sixteen, capturing the Northeast-10 regular season championship and compiling a 24-6 record. All of these accomplishments were achieved after the Greyhounds were picked to finish last in the league s preseason coaches poll. Three of Regan s recruits played key roles in that success, including league defensive player of the year Shahar Golan, All-America selection and league rookie of the year Brian Robinson and first team all-conference pick Shane O Donoghue. Regan is no stranger to the Western Pennsylvania coaching ranks, having served assistant coaching stints at Slippery Rock University (1994-99), LaRoche College (1993-94) and Robert Morris University (1990-93). During his tenure at Robert Morris, the Colonials won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1992 before dropping their first round matchup to UCLA in Tempe, Ariz. At Robert Morris, Regan oversaw guard play including NEC Player of the Year and Aliquippa native Myron Walker. Regan began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Pitt, serving two seasons (1988-90) under Coach Paul Evans. He helped guide the Panthers to a 17-13 record and NCAA Tournament berth in 1989. One of six siblings, Regan and his brothers regularly attended the Pitt youth basketball camps. Two of his brothers served as Pitt ballboys and both went on to compete collegiately at New York University. His father, the late Baldy Regan, served as a Pittsburgh city councilman. A 1988 graduate of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., Regan earned his undergraduate degree in communications. During his time at Saint Vincent, he worked as a student assistant under legendary coach Bernie Matthews. Regan also attended the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pa. A member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Basketball Coaches Association of New York and Western Pennsylvania Coaches Association, he earned the NABC s 15-year merit award for service. Regan resides in Pittsburgh with his wife Catherine, daughter Sophia and son Brendan. Education: Bachelor of Arts Communications, Saint Vincent College (Latrobe, Pa.), 1988; Kiski School (Saltsburg, Pa.), 1984. The Regan family: Brian, daughter Sophia, Catherine and son Brendan. Family: Wife Catherine, daughter Sophia and son Brendan. Coaching Career Director of Basketball Operations, University of Pittsburgh, 2008-current; Video Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh, 2007-08; Assistant Coach, Colgate University, 2002-07; Associate Head Coach, Assumption College, 1999-2002; Assistant Coach, Slippery Rock University, 1994-99; Assistant Coach, LaRoche College, 1993-94; Assistant Coach, Robert Morris University, 1990-93; Graduate Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh, 1988-90. 30
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF BASKETBALL SUPPORT STAFF TONY SALESI EXEC. ASSOC. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR- ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE DR. BRYSON LESNIAK HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN Pitt s athletic trainer and team confidant, Tony Salesi begins his 29th season as a member of the Panthers' basketball staff. He was appointed Coordinator for Athletic Training for Olympic Sports in 2005. A 1980 University of Pittsburgh graduate, Salesi began his athletic training career at Frazier High School. He then served three years as a head trainer for the Keystone Rehabilitation Center in Indiana, Pa., working with the IUP football team. Salesi, who earned his Master s degree from Miami University (Ohio) in 1981, returned to his alma mater in August of 1986, when he was appointed a clinical instructor for the University of Pittsburgh sports medicine department and head trainer for the Panthers men s basketball, men s soccer and tennis teams. In addition to his basketball responsibilities, Salesi serves as the Coordinator of Clinical Services for Olympic Sports. Born April 9, 1957, Salesi and his wife Kathleen (Pitt grad, MBA 85) have five children: Lauren Ashley (27), Andrew Louis (26), Anthony Alexander (24), Matthew Aaron (21) and Joseph William (16). MIKE FARABAUGH DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES Dr. Bryson P. Lesniak is an Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Division of Sports Medicine. Previously, Dr. Lesniak earned his medical degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in 2003 and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, Mich. He then obtained fellowship training in sports medicine in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Upon completion of post-graduate training in 2009, Dr. Lesniak was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. While at the University of Miami, he was the Fellowship Director of the Sports Medicine program. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons with a subspecialty certification in Sports Medicine. Dr. Lesniak has received several sports medicine awards for his clinical research, including The O Donoghue Sports Medicine Injury Award in 2010. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Orthopaedic Society of Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Major League Baseball Physicians Association, and the International Cartilage Repair Society. Dr. Lesniak served on numerous committees while at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine and was also active in the community. He was a team physician for the University of Miami athletics as well as the Miami Marlins Baseball Franchise and several South Florida high schools. Dr. Lesniak s primary office is at the UPMC Sports Medicine Center, South Side, and he also sees patients at UPMC South Hills. His clinical emphasis is in Sports Medicine with special emphasis on articular cartilage and articular cartilage injury; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury; knee kinematics; injuries in professional and college athletes; applications of stem cells in sports medicine; rotator cuff injury and treatment; and shoulder instability and treatment. Dr. Lesniak is a native of Pittsburgh who attended Schenley High School prior to pursuing his undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University. Mike Farabaugh is in his 24th year of affiliation with the University of Pittsburgh Academic Support Service for Student-Athletes. As Director, Farabaugh oversees the operation of the academic support program that assists the academic and personal development for student-athletes. In addition, Farabaugh also serves as the liaison between the academic and athletic community representing the interests of student-athletes. His career in Academic Support began in 1990 as a graduate student, overseeing the math and science program. After a two-year stint as a graduate student, Farabaugh moved into a permanent role in the department as a learning skills specialist for the unit. In his current capacity as Director, Farabaugh serves as the academic counselor for the men s basketball team, providing the necessary services and resources to the student-athletes and coaches. Farabaugh is also responsible for the coordination of the mathematics and science programs for the unit. Over the years, Farabaugh has conducted numerous time management, study skills, communication skills and goal setting workshops and seminars in academic settings. A 1987 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Farabaugh went on to receive his master s degree in 1992. In addition to his duties at the University, Farabaugh also serves on the learning disabilities and Two-Year college committee with the National Association of Athletic Advisors as well as previously acting as the chair of the research committee. Farabaugh resides in Fox Chapel with Diane Blanton. DR. JEANNE DOPERAK ASSISTANT TEAM PHYSICIAN An Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. Jeanne Doperak serves as a team physician with the University of Pittsburgh Athletic Department and Carnegie Mellon University. Doperak begins her fifth year working with the Pitt men s basketball team. She also serves as a consultant for several area high schools, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Doperak is the Fellowship Director of the St. Margaret s Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Program and is the physician representative on the board of directors of the Big East Conference Sports Medicine Society. Dr. Doperak earned her bachelor s degree in Biology from Allegheny College and completed her medical training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then completed a residence in family medicine at Latrobe Hospital and pursued a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. A Western Pennsylvania native, Dr. Doperak was born and raised in Latrobe, Pa. She is still happy to call Pittsburgh home with her husband Rob and their two children: Abby (10) and Max (7). 31
2014-15 PITT BASKETBALL BASKETBALL SUPPORT STAFF TIM BELTZ STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR CHRIS DOUNTAS DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT SERVICES Tim Beltz begins his 15th season as a strength and conditioning coach for the Pitt men s basketball program. He also serves as the strength coach for the Pitt women s basketball, baseball and softball squads. Over the years, he has helped develop, condition and train numerous Pitt basketball players including NBA players Steven Adams, Lamar Patterson, DeJuan Blair, Sam Young, Aaron Gray and Chris Taft. Originally from Denver, Colo., Beltz attended the University of Northern Colorado where he earned his bachelor s degree in exercise physiology in 1995. Upon graduation, Beltz began working as an operations manager at the Amelia Wellness Center in Amelia Island, Fla. While in Florida, he additionally served as a consultant for competitive triathletes for two years. Beltz returned to school to earn a master s degree in exercise physiology from Akron in 1998. During his two year-stint at Akron, he began competing as an Olympic weightlifter. Beltz was also employed at the Fast Program in Boca Raton, Fla., where he worked with numerous NFL, MLB and NBA athletes. Beltz is married to the former Trish Andrews, a 1994 University of Pittsburgh graduate. The couple has a daughter Alyssa and son T.J. JASON RICHARDS VIDEO COORDINATOR/ DIRECTOR OF ANALYTICS Director of Equipment Services Chris Dountas begins his third season with the Pitt Basketball program. His responsibilities include day-to-day equipment operations for both basketball teams as well as overseeing the equipment needs of Pitt s Olympic sports. His specific duties include distributing practice gear, game uniforms and equipment for student-athletes and the coaching staff. A Mechanicsburg, Pa. native, Dountas is in his eighth year at Pitt. Previously, he worked as an assistant equipment manager at the University of Connecticut (2005-06) and served an internship at the University of Central Florida (2004-05). Dountas graduated from California University (Pa.) in 2003 with a bachelor s degree in science and sport management. He resides in Whitehall. BRANDEN McDONALD GRADUATE MANAGER Branden McDonald is in his second season with the Pitt Basketball program as a graduate manager. A Glen Arden, Md. native, McDonald is a 2011 graduate of Virginia Union University where he received a B.S. in psychology. A point guard, McDonald was a four-year basketball letterwinner at Virginia Union. Jason Richards begins his fifth total season at Pitt and his second as the Panthers video coordinator/director of analytics. Richards spent two seasons as Pitt s Graduate Manager, while completing a Masters of Business Administration. Richards played four years at Davidson (2004-08) and along with Seth Curry, helped guide the Wildcats to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2008. He concluded his career as Davidson s all-time career assist leader (663) and holds school records for assists in a season (293) and assists in a game (19). He also scored 1,096 points in 128 career games played. Following graduation, Richards signed a free agent contract for the 2008-09 season with the Miami Heat. He spent the 2009-10 season in the NBDL with the Utah Flash before an ACL injury ended his playing career. A Barrington, Ill. native, Richards father Tom and mother Mary Beth both played basketball at Pitt from 1972-76. His sister Lindsay, a former McDonald s All- American at Iowa, is an assistant coach on the Pitt women s basketball staff. DAVID HANSON GRADUATE MANAGER David Hanson begins his second season with the Pitt Basketball program as a graduate manager. A Plymouth, Minn. native, Hanson played four years at Cal-Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif. where he scored 1,267 points and grabbed 628 rebounds in his four-year career. He graduated from Cal-Poly in June, 2012. STUDENT MANAGERS DAN GINSBERG Manager 3rd year MIKE HABERMAN Manager 2nd year MICHAEL LINDENBAUM Head Manager 5th year SEAN MACK Manager 4th year BRENNAN MOXHAM Manager 4th year MATT REILLEY Manager 4th year JOSH RUSSELL- EINHORN Manager 3rd year WILL SUPOWITZ Head Manager 3rd year JOHN WALLACE III Manager 2nd year 32