University of Pittsburgh Athletics
A Year In: Allen Greene Reflects on His First 12 Months Leading Pitt Athletics
11/1/2025 10:00:00 AM | General
Pitt Athletic Director reflects on his first year and looks ahead to building a stronger future for Pitt Athletics
When Allen Greene accepted the role of Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh, he did so with a deep appreciation for both the challenge and the opportunity. One year later, Greene describes his first 12 months as a period defined by discovery, alignment and possibility.
"What stands out the most is the welcoming nature of the Pittsburgh community," Greene says. "The passion for Pitt Athletics, and the opportunity to be innovative in this new world of college athletics provides a source of daily energy.
"What has me most excited is the opportunity to build a modern, connected athletics operation that benefits the entire department, university, city and region."
That sense of partnership is a recurring theme for Greene, who came to Pitt with an understanding that success in college athletics depends on collaboration and alignment. He credits Chancellor Joan Gabel for articulating a vision that made the job compelling.
"Simply put, leadership matters," Greene said. "The leadership at Pitt is aligned and full of people who champion the success of their colleagues. Chancellor Gabel has assembled a dynamic senior leadership team that values collaboration as a foundational standard. We're a cohesive group that understands our purpose, is laser-focused on our strategy, communicates frequently and challenges each other to be better."
Finding His Place in Pittsburgh
Greene laughs when asked if he's had that "wow" moment, the realization that he's the athletic director at Pitt.
"A few months after I got the job, as I started to learn more about our community and engage more with university leadership, I sent a text to a few people who encouraged me to look at this position," he says. "I thanked them because I love it here. I absolutely love it."
That enthusiasm has only grown.
"This is such a great environment to work in, with people who are passionate about the university, the city, and athletics," he adds. "And with leadership that recognizes the importance of athletics and wants to work together for holistic success."
I continue to be blown away by the supporters and fans I've met. From our season ticket holders to casual fans who've bought Pitt gear because of a conversation we've had. That underscores how relational this community is. As we move forward, I want our fans to remember that and to demonstrate unwavering excitement about supporting this institution in whatever way they can. Emotional support, financial support, showing up on game day. It all matters.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Greene knows he inherited a department with a proud history and that honoring it while modernizing requires balance.
"It's important to recognize and understand history and tradition," he says. "But it's equally important to recognize and understand where the industry is going and to position the department to thrive in the modern-day era of college athletics.
"What got us to where we are today, won't get us to where we want to be tomorrow," he continues. "That means thinking and acting outside the box, even when it challenges what once was.
Alignment Over Culture
One word Greene intentionally avoids is "culture." Not because it's unimportant, but because he believes the concept should be lived, not labeled.
"I don't use the word culture. Not because it doesn't matter but because it's overused," he says. "It's more important for us to live and act the way we want our culture to be."
In his first all-staff meeting last year, Greene shared his personal and professional core values; principles that now serve as the foundation for how Pitt Athletics operates.
On the professional side, Greene preaches: Be others centered, take ownership, be passionate about your work, have a positive attitude, do it right once, be in the moment and be on time. Personally, he values being a loving husband and present father, providing experiences for others and enjoying life.
"That's how I measure progress," he says. "Not through metrics or trophies, but by how consistently we live those values."
Pursuing Competitive Excellence
When it comes to on-field and on-court performance, Greene is candid. "We can do better," he says. "We've not done poorly, but there's an expectation that we do better, particularly in the outcomes which our fans care deeply about.
"But more importantly," he adds, "it's about the process: how we support our coaches and student-athletes, what we prioritize and how we make decisions. The more consistently we keep the main things the main things, the better outcomes we'll have."
Greene approaches program evaluation with a mix of realism and rigor.
"Every program is unique, each with different levels of investment and expectations," he explains. "We evaluate the conference and national landscape in every sport, determine what it will take to reach a particular level, and then ensure our expectations and investments align. We will strive to always have one match the other."
Navigating NIL and the New Era
Few topics dominate the modern college sports conversation like NIL, and Greene is clear-eyed about its implications.
"College athletics has always been about attracting talent," he says. "That's not the only thing, but it's critical to success.
"Our responsibility is to anticipate what will matter most to recruits, whether high school or transfers and match that up with where we can stand apart. The ability to execute in this space is more critical today than ever."
The Power of the Pitt Fanbase
If there's one thing Greene has learned this year, it's that Pitt fans are as loyal as they are passionate.
"They're prideful, passionate, and loyal," he says. "I want our fans to believe – à la Ted Lasso. There are going to be setbacks, but those setbacks can drive us to be even better. We all have a role in that: Coaches, athletes, fans, donors. Belief matters."
Pitt Athletics has the ability to climb the ranks, to elevate our national brand. That starts with consistent national success in football and men's basketball, while sustaining excellence in programs like volleyball and beyond.
We need to continue attracting the right athletes, coaches, and staff. We need donors to understand the importance of their philanthropy. And we need fans to show up with positive passion. The quicker we do that, the quicker we'll see our brand skyrocket.
Looking Ahead
Asked where he sees Pitt in the national landscape three years from now, Greene doesn't hesitate.
"Pitt Athletics has the ability to climb the ranks, to elevate our national brand," he says. "That starts with consistent national success in football and men's basketball, while sustaining excellence in programs like volleyball and beyond."
Achieving that, he adds, will require alignment across the board.
"We need to continue attracting the right athletes, coaches, and staff. We need donors to understand the importance of their philanthropy. And we need fans to show up with positive passion. The quicker we do that, the quicker we'll see our brand skyrocket."
A Message to the Pitt Community
As he looks ahead to year two, Greene remains grateful for the people who've made his transition so meaningful.
"I continue to be blown away by the supporters and fans I've met," he says. "From our season ticket holders to casual fans who've bought Pitt gear because of a conversation we've had. That underscores how relational this community is."
For Greene, that connection between the university, the city, and the fans is at the heart of Pitt Athletics.
"The Cathedral of Learning isn't just an architectural landmark," he says. "It's a symbol of prominence and strength, a reminder of how this university has helped keep the city of Pittsburgh thriving
"As we move forward, I want our fans to remember that and to demonstrate unwavering excitement about supporting this institution in whatever way they can. Emotional support, financial support, showing up on game day. It all matters."
