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).
