Pitt Athletic Director Scott Barnes has officially accepted the same position at Oregon State. Yesterday, it was reported by John Canzano that Oregon State had offered its AD position to Pitt AD Scott Barnes and that the two sides were in negotiations.
Last week our sources told us that Pitt AD Scott Barnes was very likely to accept the position of Athletic Director at Oregon State.
Barnes is a Washington native and had spent his entire career in the Western US before taking the job at Pitt.
According to a press release that was sent out at 7:06 PM to announce the decision, “Pitt will immediately launch a national search to find ‘the next great leader for Pitt Athletics'”.
University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Patrick Gallagher said a national search for “the next great leader of Pitt Athletics” will begin immediately to replace Scott Barnes, who has accepted the athletic director post at Oregon State.
Barnes will work closely with the Chancellor to assure a smooth transition in coming weeks.
“Scott Barnes is an outstanding athletic director and has been wholeheartedly committed to the success of our student-athletes during his time at Pitt,” Gallagher said. “I am very sorry to see him leave, but I know that Scott is doing what is best for his family, and I wish them well as he takes on his new role at Oregon State.”
Gallagher noted the exciting momentum achieved by Pitt Athletics in recent months. The fall season witnessed the football team earn signature victories over Penn State and Clemson en route to a national Top 25 ranking. Coach Pat Narduzzi will lead the Panthers into the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Northwestern in New York City later this month. Additionally, the women’s volleyball program, led by Coach Dan Fisher, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. This past month the Panthers’ winter sports seasons began with similar aspirations for lofty achievements.
“My focus now turns to building the next chapter in Pitt Athletics,” Gallagher said. “We are launching a national search to identify the next great leader of our athletics program—one that helps offer student-athletes both a great education and a chance to win at the highest levels of collegiate sports.”
You can read the full statement on the Pitt website, here.
