The news about Dave Leitao’s departure has set off the usual firestorm of speculation among Virginia fans. Who is UVa likely targeting? Who would accept the job? The first step in picking a coach, in my opinion, is picking a program model from three S’s. Successful, similar, and sustainable. What model is out there already for Virginia? I point to Pittsburgh.

The Panthers, of course, are 27-4 on the season and currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation. They are a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and making their eighth straight appearance in the Big Dance. They have multiple Sweet 16 appearances this decade and they regularly win games in the Big East Tournament. Successful? You bet.

There are plenty of programs out there that fit the success story mold, though. So why Pitt? In many ways, Pittsburgh is similar to UVa. The Panthers reside in a power basketball conference – the Big East and ACC both landed 7 bids in this year’s NCAA Tournament and all of the No. 1 seeds are from those two leagues – but they aren’t the league’s top name. Connecticut and Syracuse both have won National Championships this decade. Georgetown made a recent Final Four. Louisville, a past champion in its own right, has a flashy championship coach in Rick Pitino. The conference’s depth is impressive. Sound like life on the ACC block at all?

Guess what? The Panthers haven’t always been among the league’s top jewels. Prior to its recent run of success, Pittsburgh had some basketball history but the limelight had faded. The school’s last Elite 8 run came in 1974. Final Four? Just once. In 1941.

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