Pitt's Jamie Dixon dodges question; spokesman says very little more
Pittsburgh basketball Coach Jamie Dixon answered the phone quickly, after one ring. Upon learning it was a newspaper reporter, he responded, just as quickly, "I have a recruit on the other line. Can I get your number and call you back?"
Dixon took down the number, then upon being asked "Are you interested in the USC job," replied, 'I'll have to call you back."
More than two hours later the call came ... from a sports information official, who said, "This is probably not the person you expected." He then gave the stump speech, saying: "Jamie’s personal practice is not to discuss the coaching searches of other schools, so he will respectfully decline comment.”
A source familiar with the situation said USC has not asked Pittsburgh for permission to speak to Dixon. While back-channel contacts are common in these instances, the idea of Dixon coming west remains a long-shot.
Meanwhile, USC officials confirmed what was reported in The Times last week with a release saying that recruit Derrick Williams (La Mirada High School) has been released from his scholarship. That's five recruits USC has lost since April.
-- Chris Foster
Photo: Pittsburgh Coach Jamie Dixon watches his team play Villanova in the NCAA Tournament on March 26. Credit: Frank Victores / US Presswire.
By selectively allowing leaks to occur about the combining of the investigations, and by allowing the public trial by Louis Johnson's lawyer to continue unabated and without comment, the NCAA is effectively punishing USC.
Whatever they do at this point, the NCAA has already let this one get out of their control. If the NCAA should happen to exonerate USC, who will pay for the damage caused? Louis Johnson? Lloyd Lake? The NCAA? The lawyers of the men who made these public allegations, and tried their case in the media?
Posted by: gerrrg | June 16, 2009 at 01:25 AM
Why not give Kareem a chance?
Posted by: 914-6 "Old Fong" | June 16, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Sounds like Lil Romeo might get to start after all!
Posted by: Bobak | June 16, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Bobak you are absolutely right! rotflmao!!!
I wonder why satirist TJ Simmers missed that one while he was droning on about professionals on the Lakers blah blah blah.
Posted by: wj | June 16, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Whatever they do at this point, the NCAA has already let this one get out of their control. If the NCAA should happen to exonerate USC, who will pay for the damage caused? Louis Johnson? Lloyd Lake? The NCAA? The lawyers of the men who made these public allegations, and tried their case in the media?
LOL, an exoneration isn't going to happen. Get real!
Posted by: marcus | June 22, 2009 at 08:42 PM