PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt men’s soccer plays in the Final Four, the College Cup, Friday night against traditional power Indiana. Jay Vidovich one of a number of coaches to lift their programs in Oakland. Panthers athletic director Heather Lyke believes winning breads winning.
“I have said for a long time that success is contagious,” Lyke said. “It really is. I’ve seen it. I’ve witnessed it and now I’ve witnessed it again at Pitt. Women’s volleyball won three ACC Championships in a row with Coach Fisher. I think the other coaches look at that and say ‘hey, you can win ACC Championships here’.
“When you are winning ACC Championships we know you are in the hunt for a national championship. That’s the reality, that’s the expectation, that’s where we want these programs to go.”
“I think volleyball set the tone that is starting to bleed over to a number of our programs. I’m really proud of their effort, their work, their commitment and their pride at Pitt.”
When women’s volleyball coach Dan Fisher came to Pitt, they last were in the NCAA Tournament in 2003. By year two, Fisher had the Panthers 25-6. Two years later the first of five straight NCAA appearances, making the Elite 8 in 2021 and nearly the Final Four.
Before the return of national champion Kevin Gavin, Pitt wrestling hadn’t finished in the top 15 since 1989. Panthers had two wrestle for national titles and finished 11.
Women’s soccer under third year head coach Randy Waldrum finished 11-5, a program record for victories.
Panthers baseball is ranked 16th in the nation under third year head coach Mike Bell. They’ve qualified for the ACC Tournament and are likely to play in just their fourth NCAA Tournament. They under consideration to host a regional.
Pitt is holding a coach’s retreat this month and Lyke said all of the coaches meet monthly to exchange ideas and support each other.
“One of the best things that happened in COVID,” Lyke said. “Because we couldn’t all be together, the coaches have a text chain. With all of the head coaches on it. The relationships built in an informal way and the support they have for each other. It’s been extraordinary.”
“There support of one another in that informal, yet meaningful way has been invaluable. There is no doubt it is contagious. It will go like wildfire before the Friday meet for soccer. After we win on Friday, it will go like wildfire again among those coaches. Just because they know how hard it is.”
“Everybody is trying to win. They have great respect for one another, for what they do. I think the relationships among the coaching staffs is very real and genuine.”
It’s something Lyke, a former Michigan softball player, learned during her time as an assistant at Ohio State and implemented during her first athletic director job at Eastern Michigan.
“It starts with the people,” Lyke said. “That’s why we made some of the coaching changes we made. We bring in strong, talented coaches who have great confidence. Great backgrounds. Great experiences having played or coached at the highest levels.”
“Surround them with the right people—all of the pieces that go into creating an environment of success.
“Expecting success across the board, not just football and basketball.”
They have had great success in other sports and believe that contagion will continue to spread to include the two most profitable and visible sports.