 Pitt's application for membership was never approved, partly due to opposition by Ohio State, out of their concern that conference membership for Pittsburgh would diminish a possible recruiting advantage such membership gave to the Buckeyes in talent-rich Pennsylvania.Instead, Michigan State, rather than Pitt, was eventually selected for Big Ten membership in May 1949.Len Casanova took the Pitt job in 1950 but a disastrous campaign was followed by his departure following spring practice in 1951.