Just to get this out of the way. The resignation of Tim “Ox” Enright as the football Equipment Manager of 31 years; barely more then a week before training camp starts is not a good thing. The rumors as to the reason for the resignation cast football head coach Pat Narduzzi in a poor, petty asshole-ish light.

It’s not a crisis, but the loss of a popular figure within the football program is the sort of thing that can lead to a more critical eye to be cast towards Narduzzi and how he operates. From within the athletic department, the school administration, by past players who adored Ox, and fans to some degree.

It is by all appearances a minor, self-inflicted wound by Narduzzi. Something that will be quickly forgotten. Especially if the season goes a lot better then predicted.

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Every year I pick up just about every preseason football mag. Partially out of curiosity. Partially out of boredom that comes with the June-ish dead time.

Every year, I page to Pitt’s entry first. See where they are projected in the ACC. See what is being said.

Coming off a 5-7 season, expectations have been low.

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Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke has had a hell of a first year. From managing to get rid of Stallings and hiring Jeff Capel to save the men’s basketball program. To all the new coaching hires. I mean the turnover has been astounding — and frankly needed. Couple that with her plans for the facilities, and Lyke has gone from a “okay” hire to a home run.

And just like a coach that blows away expectations in their first year, a new contract for AD Lyke was done.

Lyke was hired in March, 2017, to replace Scott Barnes, who spent less than two years as Pitt’s athletic director before leaving in December, 2016, to take the same job at Oregon State. In 13 months, Lyke has put her brand on the program by hiring six coaches.

Evidenced by two contract extensions for Narduzzi, Gallagher clearly wants more continuity among those in leadership positions than what has occurred in the past.

“He felt things were going in the right direction and the right trajectory,” Lyke said.

Gallagher said in a statement that Lyke is “leading an ambitious charge to transform Pitt Athletics.”

“Her success here is just beginning. I am thrilled that she will continue to push our athletics programs to new heights — and spur positive change for our student-athletes and our university community — for years to come.”

Asked what the extension means to her personally, Lyke said, “It means I get to be in Pittsburgh for the next six years, for sure, and hopefully longer.”

“I really appreciate (Gallagher’s) leadership, his vision for our university and certainly his support for what we want to accomplish in the athletic department. We could have all the great ideas and all the vision that we ever want, but if you don’t have the support from the top and the leadership there, it doesn’t go a lot of places.”

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UNC Head Football Coach Larry Fedora did every other ACC football coach a solid yesterday, by putting all attention on him. During his media session, Fedora — Well, I mean how do you describe a guy going off the rails?

His media session seemed to be going fine. He was bantering with the reporters. Calling out one for wearing a shirt with avocados on it.

And then he went somewhere else.

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It’s ACC Kickoff (i.e., ACC Football Media Days), so what better day to try and get back to the blog.

My unannounced summer hiatus is winding down. Some time is opening up to write. The batteries are recharged a bit and I feel like getting some tabs cleared.

There’s no burning topic for the Media Days. There’s stuff, but there’s no underlying drama or angst.

There are some rule changes in kickoffs, transfers and redshirts that coaches will be asked to “talk about.”

The main topic, though, will be, “How’s the ACC Network coming along, Commissioner Swofford?”

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