Pitino could be roaming the Louisville sideline in the future.
This is Richard Pitino.
Current St. John’s and former Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino’s son has become the top candidate for the Cardinals’ vacant position. According to reports from cardinal authorities.
The younger Pitino “has been in contact” with Louisville athletic director Josh Haird several times in recent days, the report states.
Richard Pitino has been the head coach at the University of New Mexico for the past three seasons, leading the Lobos to a Mountain West Conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance, before losing to Clemson in the first round.
Pitino was an assistant coach at Louisville from 2007 to 2009, when his father still ran the program.
The 41-year-old worked at Florida before returning to Louisville as associate head coach for the 2011-12 season.
Richard Pitino served as head coach at Florida International and Minnesota before arriving in New Mexico.
According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, the names of Pat Kelsey of the College of Charleston, Shaheen Holloway of Seton Hall University, Eric Musselman of Arkansas State University and Josh Schertz of Indiana State University were also considered. It is said that there is
Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino and associate coach Richard Pitino coach during a game against the Seton Hall Pirates at Prudential Center on January 28, 2012. Jeff Zelevansky
Former Louisville point guard Peyton Civa, who played from 2010 to 2013, supported the idea of a younger Pitino coaching the Cardinals.
“First of all, he’s a great guy.” Shiva told WDRB.. “He’s a smart guy who knows basketball well. And he’s going to excite the fans again.
“We know it’s about winning. No matter what coach you get, you have to win. But Richard was here. He knows what Louisville basketball is about. He knows the community. He knows basketball. There’s no one who’s going to try harder.”
Louisville will replace former head coach Kenny Payne. Kenny Payne was fired two weeks ago after leading the program to a 12-52 record in his two seasons at the helm.
Louisville’s reaction appears to be positive, but it could throw a wrench into succession plans for Rick Pitino, who had expressed hope that his son would eventually take over at St. John’s.
Pitino told reporters after a game on Long Island last month that he wanted his son to remain in New Mexico “until I leave St. John’s and he can take my place.”
“Most fathers would brag about their sons, but I like to brag about my assistant coaches,” the older Pitino said. “Richard was in charge of one of the Final Fours. Without him, we wouldn’t have gotten there. Richard is one of the brightest players in the game today. He’s a great coach and He has great communication skills.”
