Pitt names veteran principal Allen Greene as next AD

Allen Greene, a veteran athletic director who has served in that role at two FBS schools and held key positions at three others, was hired as Pitt's next AD on Friday.

Greene, who is currently the assistant athletic director and chief operating officer at Tennessee, also served as athletic director at Buffalo and Auburn. He worked at Ole Miss and seven years at Notre Dame.

“I am extremely grateful and honored to be given the opportunity by Chancellor Gabel to join the University of Pittsburgh, an institution and athletic tradition that I have long admired,” Greene said in a statement. “It was clear from my first conversation with Chancellor Gabel that Pitt has the highest standards in every undertaking. This gives me enormous energy and is a challenge that I fully accept.

“I am inspired by the storied history of Pitt Athletics and am fully committed to helping our Panthers reach even greater heights in the future. I look forward to getting to know and working for Pitt's student-athletes, coaches, staff and campus leaders. The Greene family is incredibly grateful and excited to proudly wear Pitt’s blue and gold.”

Greene will replace Heather Lyke, who was fired last month after seven years in the position. Jennifer Tuscano was Pitt's interim athletic director.

Greene's background includes work in football, finance, name, image and likeness and fundraising. Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel and the university's board of trustees made increasing revenue one of the school's top goals in its AD search.

Gabel pointed to “a new era in college athletics” when she relieved Lyke of her duties and called for a “new vision.”

“Pitt Athletics is the front porch of the University of Pittsburgh and serves as an important access point for so many people across our campus, our region, our country and the world,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “In Allen Greene, we have a proven national leader who exemplifies the Pitt Way and has all the experience and intangibles to elevate our athletics program competitively and in the classroom. In my conversations with Allen and many others who know him well, it is clear that he will successfully lead us into the new world of intercollegiate athletics.”

Greene's experience includes eight years as an athletic director, five at Auburn and three at Buffalo. Greene left Auburn in August 2022 amid a negotiated exit.

Greene's work managing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) programs at three SEC schools was a key factor in his hiring. At Tennessee, he helped the athletics department increase annual revenue by 30%. Prior to his time with the Volunteers, he served as Mississippi's assistant athletics director for external relations and business development.

Greene played baseball at Notre Dame before being drafted by the New York Yankees.

“Allen brings to Pitt an outstanding reputation as an innovative leader who is personally committed to the student-athletes and staff under his supervision,” said Pitt men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel, who served on the advisory committee. “His impressive administrative experience will be a great asset not only to our athletics department, but to the entire university. We are very much looking forward to his arrival on campus.”