Pitt is replacing AD Heather Lyke, the university announced Monday, seeking a "new vision" as the department prepares for the oncoming revenue-sharing era of college athletics.
“Today, I informed University of Pittsburgh director of athletics, Heather Lyke, that I was making a change in the leadership of our athletics program,” University of Pittsburgh 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 levels. 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 new leader of our athletics department. On behalf of all Panthers, we wish Heather and her family the best with appreciation for their service to Pitt."
Lyke came to Pitt from Eastern Michigan in 2017, and the department has experienced success in a number of sports -- reaching the Final Four in men's soccer and women's volleyball. Football also won an ACC championship under her direction.
The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics named Lyke their Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year in 2023. Lyke was a candidate for a number of other AD positions across the country, most recently Northwestern.
“We are immediately initiating a national, comprehensive search for a new Panthers director of athletics, and we are confident that under the direction of interim director of athletics Jennifer Tuscano, Pitt Athletics will continue to do its part to elevate our University and win the Pitt way – both in the classroom and in competition," Gabel said.
From a football perspective, this development puts the onus on head coach Pat Narduzzi to have a strong season with new leadership on the way. In his 10th season in Pittsburgh, Narduzzi is 67-50 overall with the aforementioned ACC championship in 2021, but the Panthers went 3-9 (2-6 ACC) in 2023.
Pitt is off to a 2-0 start this season with wins over Kent State and Cincinnati. The Panthers host rival West Virginia on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.