PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh has hired Vanderbilt University’s Kevin Stallings as its next men’s basketball coach, Pitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes announced Sunday afternoon.
Stallings becomes the Panther’s 15th head coach, replacing Jamie Dixon, who left Pitt for the position of head coach at his alma mater, Texas Christian University.
“Coach Stallings and I share the same vision for Pitt -- playing in the Final Four,” 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.”
Over his 23 year head coaching career, which began at Illinois State in 1993, Stallings has posted a 455-283 record with nine NCAA Tournament appearances. He became head coach for Vanderbilt ahead of the start of the 1999-00 season. %
%
“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. The city of Pittsburgh is outstanding and I have a great deal of respect for the people that make it such a special place. I look forward to seeing their support along with that of the Oakland Zoo next season at the Petersen Events Center.”
Stallings is a two-time SEC Coach of the Year who compiled eight 20+ win seasons at Vanderbilt and a 332-220 record overall.
“He plays a fun up-tempo style that players love and fans will enjoy,” Barnes said. “Kevin runs his program with impeccable character and has a high care factor and connection with his student-athletes. He is a Power Five conference coach whose experience and success will be immediate assets for our program.”
Prior to the start of his head coaching career, Stallings played at Purdue and served as assistant at Purdue and Kansas. He is married with three children.