University of Pittsburgh Basketball Coach Jamie Dixon

The University of Pittsburgh has not traditionally been known as a basketball power--that was at least until Jamie Dixon became the head coach in 2003. Pittsburgh made it to the Elite Eight for the first time in 35 years in the 2008-2009 Men's Basketball Tournament, beating Xavier 60-55 to make it to the East Regional Final. Dixon is known as a successful coach and dedicated Christian.

In the Regional Championship game, with the Final Four on the line, number one seed Pittsburgh narrowly lost to number three seed Villanova, 78-76, which made it to its fourth Final Four. Last season may mark the farthest Dixon has led his team in the tournament, but it was by no means his only successful season at Pitt. He took his team to the Finals of the Big East Tournament in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008, winning last season against number one seed Georgetown. He has won 20 or more games every season from 2004 on, led the Panthers to the Sweet Sixteen in the Men's national tournament in 2004 and 2007 and was chosen the Naismith Coach of the Year after last season. During the season the Panthers were at one time rated the number one team in the country--the first time that has ever happened. The Panthers also won the 2004 Big East regular season championship.

He also served as an assistant coach at Los Angeles Valley College, the University of Hawaii, and UC-Santa Barbara. Jamie Dixon has a record as a head coach of 163-45 at Pittsburgh, the only school at which he has held such a position. His 162nd win gave him the most wins ever for an NCAA Division 1 head coach in six seasons.

Jamie Dixon is also known as a dedicated Christian, and his faith helped him when his sister, Maggie, the head coach of the West Point women's basketball team died of a heart attack after leading her team to the NCAA Tournament. He had to tell his parents of the death. Dixon, who believes that Jesus Christ is God's Son, Who died on the cross and rose again to give a home to believers, never lost his faith after what could have seemed like a tragedy. He says he is fortunate to be brought up in a Christian home and seeks to live out his faith every day.

"I think there is a reason and a purpose for everything," Dixon, 44, said in an interview in the Baptist Press at www.bpnews.net. "I want to see some purpose and meaning in her life."

Jamie Dixon was also a successful college basketball player. He led Texas Christian University to Southwest Conference championships in 1986 and 1987.

It was after his senior season in 1987 that he went on a mission trip with Athletes in Action, an evangelical sports ministry. He played basketball and shared his faith in New Zealand.

Jamie Dixon, the successful basketball coach at Pittsburgh, shares his faith not only with words but by helping others. He is involved with the C.A.R.E. Foundation, raises funds for the Caring Place, which helps grieving families and children cope with the death of a loved one, helped raise funds for recreation and sports programs for the disabled in the 2003 HOPE Networks Hoops Classic, has helped raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and has helped others in many ways.

Jamie Dixon is known as a successful head basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh which is not known for its basketball tradition, but he is known for so much more than his basketball prowess.

Citations:
Pitt Coach Brings Everyday Faith to NCAA's, Art Stricken, BPNews.net
2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Basketball Tournament, No author listed, Wikipedia.org
Jamie Dixon, No author listed, Wikipedia.org
Jamie Dixon Profile, No author listed, Pittsburghpanthers.com