Menu
Colleges

Source: Pittsburgh Set To Announce Utah State's Scott Barnes As Next AD

Pitt on Friday afternoon is set to name Utah State AD Scott Barnes to the same position, ending a "four-month search" that started in December after former AD Steve Pederson was fired, according to a source cited by Sam Werner of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Barnes brings with him a "history of strong coaching hires, impressive fundraising and skilled networking." Barnes in his seven years at Utah State "oversaw a stunning turnaround" for the football program. Now he will "step into an athletic department at Pitt that has been largely defined by instability at its football head-coaching position." At Utah State, the "increased success Barnes oversaw on the field led to improvements off it, too, and he has spearheaded one of the most aggressive fundraising campaigns in the history of the school’s athletic program." But Pitt "will be a step up for Barnes," who previously served as Eastern Washington AD ('99-'05) and Washington Senior Associate AD ('05-08). The "biggest change will be the increased budget he must manage" as an AD at a Power 5 school. Pitt’s total athletic expenses for the year ending June 30, 2014 were $66.1M, compared to $25.1M at Utah State. One "key to Barnes' success in moving up the ladder has been his ability to network," which also led to his position last year as NCAA D-I Men's Basketball Committee Chair. Univ. of New Mexico AD Paul Krebs said, "He's not a guy that talks to talk. He's somebody who's very well thought of, very well respected. When he speaks, he's worth listening to and has something to say" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/24).

RAVE REVIEWS: In Pittsburgh, Jerry DiPaola in a front-page piece writes Pitt "appears to be banking on" Barnes' ability "to build athletic programs." Barnes leaves a "legacy at Utah State marked by growth and record donations." Penn State AD Sandy Barbour said, "I think Scott is the kind of person that quickly earns people's trust." Northeastern AD Peter Roby, who served on the basketball committee with Barnes, said, "He'll be a coaches' athletic director because he understands what it takes. I think people are going to love him. He's a proven leader." UNC-Asheville AD Janet Cone, also a member on Barnes' basketball committee, said that one of his gifts is the "ability to listen." Barnes "earned a salary of $572,169" in FY '14 at Utah State (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/24). SB NATION's Anson Whaley wrote it is "hard not to like" the Barnes hiring, and it is "not entirely, but largely, a football hire." Barnes is "extremely personable." That is something that "really will be appreciated" since Pederson, "whatever you thought of him, had turned off donors" (SBNATION.com, 4/23).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2015/04/24/Colleges/Pitt-AD.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2015/04/24/Colleges/Pitt-AD.aspx

CLOSE