Pitt hires Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings as head coach
Pitt has found its man.
The Panthers hired Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings to be their new head coach, the team announced Sunday.
"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."
The deal is for six years, sources told Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
"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."
Stallings had been with the Commodores since 1999, compiling a 332-220 record and making the NCAA tournament seven times. Vandy reached the First Four this season, but couldn't crack the final 64.
It will be interesting to see how Stallings gets along with junior forward Sheldon Jeter, who played for Vandy in 2012-13 before transferring to Pitt. The Commodores reportedly originally blocked the move.
The 55-year-old Stallings embarks on a new challenge in the ACC, a conference that has proven its dominance this March. The ACC is 16-3 so far and will send two teams to the Final Four once Sunday's games conclude.
Stallings takes over for Jamie Dixon, who departed for TCU earlier in the week.