Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings has accepted an offer to become Pittsburgh’s new head basketball coach, the school announced Sunday. He will succeed Jamie Dixon, who left for the TCU job last Monday.
“I am extremely excited to join the University of Pittsburgh family,” Stallings said. “Pitt has a tremendous basketball tradition and I am looking forward to building on the excellent foundation that is in place on the court and in the classroom.”
A graduate of Purdue, Stallings spent the last 17 seasons coaching the Commodores. His teams reached the NCAA tournament seven times, making two Sweet 16 appearances.
Between stops at Illinois State (1993-99) and Vanderbilt, the 55-year-old holds a 455-283 record as a head coach. The Commodores finished 19-14 this season and lost to Wichita State in a First Four matchup of the NCAA tournament.
“Coach Stallings and I share the same vision for Pitt — playing in the Final Four,” athletic director Scott Barnes said. “Kevin has a successful track record recruiting the ACC footprint and beyond, and is one of the best coaches in the country at building an offense around his talent. He plays a fun up-tempo style that players love and fans will enjoy.”