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

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. Her contract was set to expire in June 2025, and though she and the school had been having conversations on an extension, they could never come to an agreement.