Pittsburgh Panthers fire AD Heather Lyke, seek 'new vision' - ESPN

Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke was fired Monday, the school announced, citing a need to help the school navigate «a new era in college athletics.»

«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,» chancellor Joan Gabel said in a statement. «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.»

Lyke and Gabel, formally inaugurated as Pitt's chancellor in April, did not see eye to eye on a variety of issues, including NIL, sources told ESPN.

Executive associate athletic director Jennifer Tuscano will serve as interim athletic director until a permanent AD is hired.

During her Pitt tenure, Lyke helped raise the profile of the entire athletics department: The football team won the ACC championship in 2021; the women's volleyball team advanced to its first three final fours; and men's soccer advanced to the College Cup twice in the past four seasons. Just last year, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics honored her as a 2023 Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year Award recipient.

In an interview with ESPN earlier this year, Lyke was asked how she felt about her long-term future at Pitt. «I feel great about it,» she said. «I love it. I love the people. I love my new chancellor. We've got an awesome board. I've got an awesome group of coaches and the right number of sports. I'm a Midwest kid. It fits me. I'm really happy.»

Lyke, however, was recently a finalist for the Northwestern AD job, and she had been openly seeking other jobs in recent years — including Ohio State earlier this year.