In defense of Jamie Dixon

We've all heard the whispers... "He can't win the big one" "So what if he wins the regular season, it's what a coach does in March that matters!", "Jamie Dixon is overrated". The head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers has taken some flack these last few weeks after being bounced in the second round by Bulter. Although I may not agree with his coaching choices at the end of that particular game, I still think Dixon is a fantastic coach and would like him the be our head coach for a long time!




First, let's look at his record. He has the most wins of ANY Division 1 coach in history during his first 8 years as a head coach. That's better than Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Bob Knight, and even John Wooden. It's a remarkable achievement especially considering he's done this in the difficult Big East Conference. Most coaches come from years of honing their talent at smaller schools as a head coach before taking on such a visible position. Jamie went from an assistant to the head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers and he holds that record. IMPRESSIVE!!



Awards and Accomplishments:



He was 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

2008-2009 Naismith Coach of the Year

2010 Big East Coach of the Year

2010 Jim Phelan Coach of the Year

2011 Sporting News Coach of the Year

Named winningest coach in Big East history after 2010 season with a winning percentage of .696 in league games passing John Thompson, Jim Beoheim, and Jim Calhoun.

Coached Pitt to their first #1 National Ranking and first time as a #1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2009.

Took Pitt to the Big East Final in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, beating Georgetown for the title in 2008.



While I agree doing so well in the regular season and losing in the tournament is very disappointing, I think Panther fans need to rest assured that we WILL get there. It's a matter of when not if, and I'm confident that Jamie Dixon will get Pittsburgh to the Final Four.



It took Mike Krzyzewski 10 years to win a National Championship at Duke. (That was his 2nd head coaching job). Roy Williams coached at Kansas from 1988 to 2003 without winning a Championship. (He's won 2 at UNC since). Dixon took the head coaching job at Pittsburgh in 2003. My point is, give the guy some time! Dixon has proven himself a wonderful coach and he will get there. Championship programs don't happen overnight. Coaches need time to implement their system and build their program. Dixon has done a great job. As soon as he gets over the Final Four hump, championships will soon come and ignorant fans will be eating their words!

written by Emily Mallon


If you know basketball, you know Dixon's a great coach! I understand your frustration fellow fans, but bite your tongue and wait it out. The Panthers will win a championship sooner than you think!