Pitt fans think they will get Chris Mack

[HugeFan]

Dixon to TCU

What a bunch of idiots. Pitt is a downgrade from Xavier

Xavier does have to bump Mack up to the $2.5 mill range though or else something like this could happen. I doubt Mack would want to go to Pitt instead of Xavier, but he still needs to feed his family.

[xavierfano8]

He's going to be a very busy guy coaching Louisville and Pitt next year.

[HugeFan]

And if calipari goes to the NBA then Mack might have to coach Kentucky on weekends too.

[stever20]

Is Dixon official yet? hadn't seen it anywhere....

I really couldn't see Mack going to Pitt. Pitt isn't in the top 20 of programs- not even really close either.... That would be way more of a lateral move(or backwards move) than if Mack went to Louisville.....

[gosports1]

TCU? is that a stepup from Pitt? did I miss something? was Dixon in trouble at Pitt?

[GumbyDamnit!]

Believe Dixon is an Alum. Also find out where his wife is from... If TX then you have your answer.

[Hall2012]

Sounds like Gary Parrish is just spitballing here, but he's tossing around both Ed Cooley and Kevin Willard as potential candidates for the Pitt job. No mention of Mack though.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/ncaab/eye-on-college-basketball/25527278/ten-candidates-who-could-replace-jamie-dixon-as-pittsburghs-coach

[GoldenWarrior11]

Surprised Parrish didn't throw out his boy, Buzz, into the consideration. Parrish notoriously recommends Buzz's name to every big opening.

Meanwhile, the thought of Pittsburgh being able to poach Cooley or Willard...

[aughnanure]

Like, maybe back in the mid-2000s? But being the ACC, Pitt is just mid-tier team at best and way overshadowed by Duke-UNC-Ville-Cuse. A top half job? Sure. But with Va and Miami rolling to go along with Notre Dame being always solid its a tough hill to climb.

Simply put, there are too many teams in these leagues to satisfy all the programs. Someone has to lose these games. It was okay when the Big East was the only huge one, but with 14 teams in the Big Ten and SEC (and likely more soonish) and 15 in the ACC there needs to be some kind of adjustment. There just aren't enough wins to go around to satisfy everyone. Pitt is a solid to very good program, but is just another face in the crowd of the ACC. I think this setup hurts these programs long-term (especially when they have n no history with the teams they are playing). These conferences should just get to 20 teams and then split into two 10-teams divisions or something - think of how big the football championship game would be or a basketball conference tourney because most of these teams would not have played each other all year.

I forgot what coach used to say this, but basically his advice for coaches looking to move up was you don't take a job that isn't a top-3 job in its league. It was said a while back before these Gino-Conferences started and I think top-3 is a bit too narrow, but the point stands. Why do you want to set yourself for a more difficult position? Why would you want the Rutgers or Penn State job when, even if you do a really good job, you can finally finish 9th after 4 years? Xavier is simply a better position to be at.