Early in Pederson 's tenure , he also moved to replace then head football coach Johnny Majors with Walt Harris who took Pitt to the Liberty Bowl , Pitt 's first bowl in eight seasons , in his first season as head coach in 1997 . Pederson also hired Ben Howland as Pitt 's head men 's basketball coach in 1999 to replace Ralph Willard . Howland proceeded to take Pitt to its first NCAA Tournament in nine seasons . In addition to Harris and Howland , Pederson hires included Alonzo Webb for track and field , Traci Waites for women 's basketball , Joe Jordano for baseball , and Chris Beerman for volleyball . All six of these coaching hires went on to win Big East Conference Coach-of-the-Year honors in their respective sports . Pederson retired the football jerseys of former Panther greats Mike Ditka , Marshall Goldberg , Joe Schmidt , and Mark May . Pederson significantly elevated the athletic department 's fundraising efforts , some of which was through implementing controversial donor requirements for men 's basketball seating
Big East Conference
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Steve Pederson