Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke was fired Monday, the school announced, citing the 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 are grateful 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, who formally took over as Pitt chancellor in April, disagreed 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 athletic director is hired.
During her tenure at Pitt, 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 finals; and men’s soccer advanced to the College Cup twice in the past four seasons. Last year, the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors honored her as the 2023 Cushman & Wakefield AD of the Year Award winner.
In an interview with ESPN earlier this year, Lyke was asked how she felt about her long-term future at Pitt. “I feel really good about it,” she said. “I love it. I love the people. I love my new chancellor. We have an amazing board of directors. I have an amazing group of coaches and the right amount of sports. I’m a Midwestern girl. It fits me well. I’m really happy.”
However, Lyke was recently a finalist for Northwestern’s athletic director job and had been openly pursuing other jobs in recent years, including Ohio State earlier this year. Her contract was set to expire in June 2025, and while she and the school had been holding talks about an extension, they were never able to come to an agreement.
