Agnus Berenato fired as coach of Pittsburgh Panthers

Feb 26, 2013; Hartford, CT, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Agnus Berenato watches from the sideline as they take on the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at the XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Two seasons without a victory in the Big East wound up costing Pitt women’s basketball Head Coach Agnus Berenato her job.

Berenato leaves the Panthers with a 161-149 record, the most wins in program history.

“We have high aspirations for Pitt women’s basketball and have witnessed the program achieving at impressive levels in the past,” Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said in a statement. “As we begin ACC play next season, the time is right for a leadership change in the program.”

The team won 17 games and lost 43 over the past two seasons. As the season wound on, her job security was in question and the athletic department ultimately felt as though a lack of wins made this decision possible.

The Panthers will move to the ACC having lost their past 36 Big East contests. From 2007-2009, Berenato led the Panthers into the NCAA Tournament and had two trips to the Sweet 16.