There likely isn’t a Pitt fan who expected to hear that Director of Athletics Heather Lyke was fired Monday morning, and Pat Narduzzi certainly isn’t an exception.
Narduzzi opened his weekly Monday presser by issuing the only comment that he has on the situation.
“The first thing I’ll say and the only comments I really care to have at this point is just that (I’m) grateful and appreciative of the last seven years working with Heather Lyke,” Narduzzi said. “She’s done a great job, she’s got great energy and appreciate everything she’s done there and I wish her and family all the luck personally and professionally as far as her next move. She’s a strong, strong person and will land on her feet.
“I know Chancellor Gabel is committed to excellence in athletics, committed to the excellence and championships and Pitt football, so I’ve got a ton of trust in her and what she’s gonna do here in the future at Pitt.”
Narduzzi preceded Lyke as a member of the Pitt athletic department, but the pair agreed to a contract extension following the 2021 football season.
Narduzzi and Lyke built a good relationship during her seven seasons at the helm of Pitt athletics, and Pat Narduzzi wished her nothing but the best heading forward — personally and professionally.
Lyke was in attendance for the Cincinnati win over the weekend, sitting in on the post-game press conference, in likely her last public Pitt appearance.
Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel decided that Pitt needed a new voice to lead the department going forward, and Lyke’s replacement will be tasked with revolutionizing the way NIL is utilized at the university and getting the department out of a hole financially.
“Today, I informed University of Pittsburgh director of athletics, Heather Lyke, that I was making a change in the leadership of our athletics program,” Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel said in a statement.
“Upon her arrival at Pitt in 2017, Heather guided our program through a unique period in college athletics and we thank her for her leadership during that time. Her tenure included successes from football’s first ACC championship to volleyball reaching its first-ever NCAA Final Four, while representing the University at the conference and national level.
“However, as we enter a new era in college athletics, one that seems to change by the day, we need a new vision and a leader of our athletic department. On behalf of all Panthers, we wish Heather and her family the best with appreciation for their service to Pitt.”
More clarity needed. I thought Heather Lyke did a very good job.
Good luck Heather
Narduzzi, will you be hiring the next AD?
I don’t think she did a great job…at all. Big time college athletics are all about NIL and raising money to get the athletes and facilities that the money making programs need to compete and make money. Pitt was woefully behind on the NIL curve, Compliance Heather sat on her thumbs looking like a gold blouse wearing deer in the headlights while the big time schools with a clue how to run things got the NIL and proper fundraising organization in place. Pitt is still well behind…and it’s Luke’s fault. Moreover, Wasting time and money on Money Pitt Heights instead… Read more »
So since it seems like you have the answers, just curious
where should the football stadium be?
Oh and going along your pretense the University should quadruple the number of foreign students since they pay the big bucks
If it brings in revenue why not?
Should have never left campus
Is NCAA Power 4 athletics (A) a multi Billion dollar business or (B) a feel good story about is playing the game for the love of sport not wins and losses … if your answer is (A) run it like the business that it is. Do whatever is necessary to foster and grow the sports that make the most money. if your answer is (B) well I believe that time has passed you by. There are club sports at Pitt you could support. However, If enough people feel this way, football and basketball can drop down to DII or DIII… Read more »
I actually agree with most of what you say.Whomever signed off on the Victory Heights project is the one to blame here..If they knew she was bad with money and the athletic dept was working in the red.Why green light it?Makes no sense.Total derelict of duty and blame to go around
Heather has done a lot for Pitt, what has the Chancellor done? Wrong person is getting fired!
Gabel was recently hired. Heather has been on the job for nearly 8 years. The BOT is making these decisions.
Narduzzi is on an island now. The new AD will buy out the remainder of his contract at a discount. The name of the new game is money. Heather had Pitt poorly positioned for the new football landscape. She had no clue how to raise money. The new AD must know how to run a big business and must make Pitt attractive enough for an invite to the inevitable super conference.
Didn’t they just sign her a few weeks ago? Then they choose The Backyard Brawl week to fire her.
No it was assumed that they would extend her but that never got off the ground.I’m assuming Gabel and Lyje sat down and had conversations and obviously Gabel didn’t like what she was hearing.So she decided to can her..