The University of Pittsburgh’s football program is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 season approaches, and all eyes are on Pat Narduzzi’s Panthers both for their on-field prospects and off-field developments. But the Panthers’ 2025 schedule is choked of big games, including old rivalries and hard-fought conference clashes, which will lead to what may be a make-or-break year for the program. That’s when the strength of the roster matters, and among the new faces, their new athletic director, Allen Greene, is a highlight.

When Allen Greene stepped into his new office as the Pittsburgh Panthers AD, he wasn’t entering a new position—he was entering a legacy. Chancellor Joan Gabel announced the news, which lured him to the Panthers. It was less like an official introduction and more like a homecoming. Greene envisioned a role in which he could truly make a difference, not only in athletics but in the lives of all those associated with Pitt. But what ultimately prompted Greene to respond with a ‘yes’ in Pittsburgh? It wasn’t the history, nor the challenge—it was people.

It wasn’t merely the encomium of one of his elderly colleagues that sealed the deal. Step forward, Jerome Bettis. Now, if you know anything about Pittsburgh, you know that Bettis is more than a football icon; he was a six-time Pro Bowler in his NFL career. “Jerome and I have had a chance to get to know each other over the past couple of years, and I think very highly of him,” Greene said in a recent interview with the Pitt Panthers on June 20. “I know this community does as well. He’s a tremendous ambassador and couldn’t say enough nice things about the city of Pittsburgh and even offered to make a couple of extra phone calls on my behalf because he thought the marriage would be such a good one,” Greene added.

From his student-athlete days at Notre Dame to guiding top programs at Auburn and Buffalo, Jerome Bettis has always been the type of guy who makes people better. He isn’t just a Hall of Famer or a Super Bowl champion. He’s the type of guy who defines the city’s attitude—tough, true, and always up for rolling up his sleeves. Despite the harsh realities of life in the town, Bettis described the city’s distinctive personality—how people here take care of one another, how grit and heart are valued just as much as talent.

For Greene, the solution wasn’t a singular thing—it was a whole bunch of things that, collectively, made the Panthers’ home. And as an AAU institution, Pitt’s dedication to both athletic and academic pursuits was something Greene couldn’t help but notice. But for Greene, the capper was the leadership. “Leadership matters, and what I was really looking for was alignment,” Greene said. With Chancellor Gabel and the Board of Trustees supporting him, everybody with the same motivation, he felt like he could do anything. He wants to ensure Pitt receives the respect it’s due, not only in athletics but in all aspects of the university.

Allen Greene’s game plan for the Panthers’ two big programs

When Allen Greene became Pitt’s athletic director in October, the atmosphere among the Panthers was charged. Football was rolling along at 6-0, and basketball—the team that was teeming with promising talent and offseason hype—appeared ready to dance its way into the NCAA Tournament. But it’s an adage that applies here: ‘Not so fast’. The script turned on a dime. The football squad hit a brick wall, ending the season with a merciless 1-6 slide. Men’s basketball, on the other hand, descended into what can only be termed a meltdown—a star-studded roster underachieving, players seemingly lost, and fans scratching their heads in dismay.

The Panther faithful argued over who needed to be fired and what players would flee during the offseason. Greene’s true test was not about surfing the wave of initial success—it was about navigating through stormy seas. The excuses began to fly: NIL dollars aren’t sufficient, the competition outrecruits Pitt, and so forth. But Greene, with his experience of constructing squads at Auburn and surviving the wild west of college athletics, knows better than to single out the bank account.

So now the spotlight is on Greene to become visible and active. Football needs a reboot. At least a good examination of what happened and how to correct it. Basketball, however, is a different animal. The coaching staff is not relating to players, so the message is not being conveyed, and the roster may be substantially different next season. Greene’s task: To dig deep, ask difficult questions, and ensure Pitt isn’t merely responding to crisis, but leading with intention.