One of new Pitt AD Scott Barnes’ first goals has been to "get a sense of where the department stands, not just from the perspective of coaches and employees, but also from donors, alumni and fans," according to Sam Werner of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Barnes said, "I don’t think we’ve listened to them as well as we need to." The school on Wednesday announced the creation of a 20-member alumni committee, which Barnes said is an "opportunity to really extend ourselves out to welcome them in and get to know them." He already has "started conversations with some of Pitt's larger donors," and the most "prominent requests have been transparency and a unified vision for the future." Barnes: "There's a high 'care factor.' People want to help. They care. They want to see a vision." He added, "If we can get football right, than all of our programs succeed." Barnes said that his "first call on the job last week" was to Penn State AD Sandy Barbour to "ensure the future of the Pitt/Penn State football series." Barnes: “Penn State, for us, we want to play that game as long as we can, home-and-home." Barnes also said that he has spoken with new West Virginia AD Shane Lyons "about possibly resuming the Backyard Brawl." But he called PSU a "priority” in future scheduling, while wvu is “an important factor” (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/26). Barnes said that Pitt has "sold 3,500 new season-ticket packages, but that's not enough." In Pittsburgh, Jerry DiPaola notes Barnes also "wants an increase in the number of donors." Barnes arrives with a "background in basketball ... but he understands football is the driving force behind any Power 5 school" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/26).
RIGHT ON CUSE: In New York, Nate Mink wrote it "should not be a shock to learn the football program was a key consideration that needed to be addressed" with new Syracuse AD Mark Coyle. It is the "main revenue generator for the athletic department, and a thirst for winning quickly became apparent in the committee's research." Asked if football got disproportionate consideration when deciding on Coyle, SU trustee Steve Ballentine said, "I wouldn't say a disproportionate amount. That implies that that drove the decision, and that's not the case. But I don't want to minimize it. That's a key consideration." Ballentine said Coyle was "well-prepared" and "did his due diligence" on the football program before his interview (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/23).
