There is big news in college sports today for the University of Pittsburgh. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, as reported by WPXI, the Panthers are tapping Tennessee Senior Deputy Allen Greene to take over as their athletic director. Greene, a seasoned collegiate athletic professional, has an impressive résumé that includes past athletic director gigs at Buffalo and Auburn.
Remember the shift at Pitt that needed filling after the university decided to let go of former director Heather Lyke? Well, it looks like that void's about to be filled by Greene, who is not just any athletic director—he's a veteran athletic director. His pulling into the station couldn't be timelier, given he's wrapping up his tenure as the chief operating officer at Tennessee, where his portfolio also boasts previous experience at Ole Miss and Notre Dame.
In a statement disclosed last month by University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan Gabel, which WTAE reported on, it's clear that Pitt is ready to turn a new page. Gabel started the statement by dropping the news about Lyke's departure, acknowledging her "leadership since her arrival at the university in 2017," which saw noteworthy highlights, including football nabbing its first ACC championship and volleyball sprinting to its first-ever NCAA Final Four.
Sealing the deal on why Greene is fit for Pitt, Thamel chimed in, noting that Greene brings a strong background in football, finances, NIL, and fundraising, a blend that's about as rich as the coffee you're sipping while scanning the sports section. With Greene at the helm, it's all eyes on Pitt as they charge into a new era of college athletics, a backdrop where the golden combination of a new leader and a new vision is not just important but essential.
