October 9, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh coach Tori Verdi during ACC Media Day at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Image Tory Verdi was fired as Pitt’s women’s basketball coach after her third losing season.
Verdi’s dismissal comes at a time when he is a defendant in six lawsuits filed by former players.
Athletic director Allen Greene, in his statement announcing Verdi’s departure, did not mention the lawsuit, which names the university as a co-defendant.
“After a thorough and thoughtful evaluation of our women’s basketball program, we have determined that we have not developed sufficiently competitively and that now is the appropriate time to seek a new leader for our program,” Green said in a press release issued Tuesday. “We are grateful for Tori’s dedication over the past three seasons and wish him and his family all the best for the future. The search process for our next leader is already underway.”
In the lawsuit, the women alleged Verdi’s actions included creating a “hostile” environment, verbal abuse, “hostile” treatment of mental health issues, body shaming and retaliation against players.
In one case cited in some of the lawsuits, Verdi allegedly told a foreign-born athlete, “Go home because ICE is coming.”
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, singles out the university for failing to take action despite multiple officials being aware of the woman’s accusations.
In response to the lawsuit’s aftermath, a Pitt spokesperson told media outlets, “The university is aware of these lawsuits and allegations, they are without merit and will be vigorously defended.”
Pitt finished the season disastrous with an 8-23 record (1-17 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) and failed to play in the season-ending tournament.
Verdi’s last game, a 93-43 loss to North Carolina State on Sunday, was the Panthers’ 14th straight loss.
He took charge of the program ahead of the 2023-24 season and set a record of 29 wins and 66 losses (8 wins and 46 ACC).
Verdi was previously the head coach at Eastern Michigan (2012-16) and Massachusetts (2016-23).
–Field level media
