The first bit of info on Pitt’s coaching search has finally leaked
Especially in the last few years, Pitt coaching searches have been EXTREMELY light on news prior to the hire. This coaching search has been no different. There’s been a good amount of rumors that “Coach XYZ may be a good fit for Pitt/will likely be a target/etc” but this is the first report we’ve heard Pitt actually meeting with someone:
Pittsburgh met with former Indiana head coach Tom Crean on Tuesday, sources told ESPN.
The Panthers parted with basketball coach Kevin Stallings last week after just two seasons and hired Fogler Consulting to help with the search for Stallings’ replacement.
Crean is a pretty successful coach over all. He’s 356-231 over all, with a 166-135 conference record. He was a little up and down at Indiana, but did make the Sweet 16 in three of his last six seasons (4 NCAAs, 1 NIT appearance). He did very well at Marquette, including a Final Four in 2002-2003. He’s certainly an experienced and proven coach, and has shown good results on the recruiting trail as well. Crean also spent a year at Pitt under Ralph Williard in the 90s.
Crean was initially said to not be interested in the job, but that obviously seems to not be in the case. I think I speak for most Pitt fans that after Dan Hurley, Pitt’s realistic options definitely aren’t very exciting for the most part, but Crean would definitely be a decent hire. He’s older, but has shown to be a good recruiter, and has found success at a larger program. Home run? No, but Pitt likely can’t get that right now.
There will likely be a few more twists in this search, and it will be interesting to see what other candidate names come out.
