NEW YORK — Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings and the Pitt athletic department have not entered into any negotiations regarding his buyout, and would not be inclined to do so if approached, according to multiple sources.
Reports surfaced over the weekend that Stallings would be willing to accept a reduced buyout in order to facilitate his departure. He is owed nearly $10 million if Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke chooses to fire him after the season.
According to multiple sources, there have been no negotiations regarding the reduction of his buyout and limited conversation at all between Lyke and Stallings over the last few weeks.
Lyke is in attendance for the ACC Tournament, along with deputy athletic director Christian Speers and associate athletic director Chris Hoppe. Lyke and Speers do not usually travel with the basketball team.
Stallings was not hired by Lyke, who took over for Scott Barnes in March. Lyke has declined to discuss Stallings future or give him a vote of confidence despite several opportunities.
“A full, comprehensive review of our program is ongoing,” Lyke said on 93.7 The Fan in February. “We’ll make some decisions after that tournament.”
Lyke did praise the work Stallings has put in, but again, was unwilling to tip her hand.
“In many ways, he is: the effort that he puts in, the preparation, the responsibility that he bears,” she said. “But again, there’s so many aspects in evaluating a head coach. It’s not just performance on the court.”
