New Pitt basketball coach Kevin Stallings has successfully kept Pitt’s recruiting class together, but wasn’t able to keep one of the Panthers’ all-time best players in the program.
Brandin Knight was offered an assistant coach position on Stallings’ staff but has decided to decline the offer and will pursue other opportunities.
Knight, who was the top assistant under former coach Jamie Dixon and interviewed for the job Stallings landed, made his announcement on Twitter.
“Pitt will always hold a special place in my heart but after careful consideration I have decided to continue my career elsewhere. I can’t thank the administration, the fans, alums, the Oakland Zoo and the people of Pittsburgh enough for making my time here amazing.
“Coach Stallings and his staff will do a great job of continuing the winning tradition of Pitt basketball. While it is difficult to say goodbye to a place that has been home for 17 years, I’m extremely excited for the opportunities that lie ahead!!! H2P”
Knight played at Pitt from 1999-2003 then joined the staff as a video coordinator in 2006 and was promoted to full-time assistant in 2008.
Although Knight is leaving, Stallings has received good news from all three of the recruits that had committed to Dixon and signed with Pitt.
All three — Corey Manigault, Justice Kithcart and Crisshawn Clark — had decommitted from Pitt when Dixon left for TCU.
But Manigault and Kithcart both announced on Twitter they are staying committed to Stallings and Pitt, and Clark is expected to do the same.
Paul Zeise: pzeise@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1720 and Twitter @paulzeise.
First Published: April 1, 2016, 3:38 a.m.
Updated: April 1, 2016, 4:33 a.m.