Jamie Dixon finally breaks silence, says focus is on winning titles at TCU

Jamie Dixon has broken his silence.

Dixon had been linked to the UCLA opening since TCU’s season ended with a loss in the NIT semifinals last week.

He was among the top targets for the job, and multiple outlets reported that he was in negotiations to become the next UCLA coach.

But TCU wouldn’t waver on Dixon’s buyout “a little north” of $8 million, and UCLA wouldn’t pay it.

The Bruins have finally landed their next coach, naming Mick Cronin.

Dixon issued a statement on the matter, reiterating his desire to be at TCU:

“It has been my long standing policy to never comment on coaching positions at other universities. This end of season speculation however was particularly intense and personal for my family because it suggested an imminent return to Los Angeles, the childhood home of both my wife and I. Since our team flight back from New York City, rather than attend the Final Four in Minnesota during this dead period, I have been in Fort Worth meeting with our players, calling recruits and explaining to three generations of relatives and friends on both sides of the family the commitment that I made to rebuild the TCU basketball program.

“After much discussion, I am proud to affirm my family’s commitment remains the same. I am very grateful for the leadership of Texas Christian University, especially Chancellor Boschini and our Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati, as we all are committed to winning championships.”

Dixon has gone 68-41 in three seasons at TCU, leading the program to the NIT championship in his first season. Dixon and the Frogs snapped a 20-year NCAA Tournament drought last season, and were among the top “snubs” from the Big Dance this season.

TCU reached the NIT semifinals, falling to Texas at Madison Square Garden.