Pitt basketball coach Jamie Dixon did not have to hire any assistant coaches for the first time in two years this spring. It could have been different.

Top assistant Tom Herrion was a candidate for the head coaching positions at James Madison and Marist earlier this month. Herrion had conversations with officials from those schools about the openings, but Pitt gave him a new title and a pay raise to keep him here.

Pitt announced yesterday that Herrion is Dixon's new associate head coach, and the 40-year-old former head coach at the College of Charleston is happy to remain an assistant for at least another year.

"I met with a few of those schools, but at the end of the day coach Dixon and Mr. [Steve] Pederson and the people at Pitt made me and my family feel very appreciated," Herrion said. "They've helped to make this a wonderful opportunity in a lot of ways. I've been a head coach and I've enjoyed a high level of success. Being a head coach is not the be-all, end-all for me anymore. I've come in here and I have a different appreciation for where this program is. I have a deeper appreciation for being on this staff."

Dixon believes it is always a positive when his assistants become head coaches. It is a sign of success, but having someone of Herrion's caliber on board is equally important.

"He's really picked up what we try to do and emphasize in our program," Dixon said. "He's been able to take things in and understand how we do things."

In 2006, Dixon lost two assistants when Barry Rohrssen accepted the head coaching position at Manhattan and Joe Lombardi at IUP. Last spring, assistant Mike Rice left to become the head coach at Robert Morris and director of basketball operations David Cox left to become an assistant at Georgetown.

With three starters returning and likely a top-10 preseason ranking in the offing, Pitt should benefit by having the same coaches.

"Having been a head coach once, staff continuity is so valuable," said Herrion, who was 80-38 in his four-year stay at the College of Charleston. "We have a chance with a lot of our pieces coming back next year. We have expectations, and we should. Having talented guys on the staff, we're looking forward to next year. The ability to keep the staff intact is of great value."