A method of operating a gas turbine engine includes commanding an acceleration of the gas turbine engine and moving a variable pitch high pressure compressor vane toward an open position thereby reducing an acceleration rate of a high pressure turbine rotor thereby reducing a change in a clearance gap between the high pressure turbine rotor and a blade outer airseal. An active clearance control system of a gas turbine engine includes an engine control system configured to command an acceleration of the gas turbine engine and move a variable pitch high pressure compressor vane toward an open position thereby slowing an acceleration rate of a high pressure turbine rotor thereby reducing a change in a clearance gap between the high pressure turbine rotor and a blade outer airseal located radially outboard of the high pressure turbine rotor.