Deja vu all over again.
Again.
The New York Daily News is reporting that sources close to Rick Pitino are saying the University of Louisville basketball coach is interested in becoming the next coach of the New Jersey Nets.
Sources close to Pitino, 57, say the ex-Knick coach and native of Long Island continues to be worn down from the Louisville sex scandal that erupted last summer and almost cost him his job. In terms of basketball, friends say that he feels a threat from in-state arch-rival Kentucky, which has put itself back into the national spotlight with first-year coach John Calipari and one of the top recruiting classes in recent years. Link
Coincidentally, Pitino and team departed Louisville for New York a day earlier than normal for the St. John’s game at Madison Square Garden. Considering the blizzard conditions in the Northeast, they had good reason.
Pitino has not said anything publicly about the rumor, which might be a good thing. What Pitino says he will or won’t do, and what he actually winds up doing are often the complete opposite. He apparently revels in speculation, and will allow it to gather momentum.
Unless, of course, the Nets aren’t interested.
At any rate, the timing couldn’t come at a more inappropriate time for his Louisville team.
No, he has denied them, but it may or may not be over, unless the Nets are not interested of course.
He may not be the megastar that he was at KY, but, despite Karengate, he was able to get commitments this past year for what may be the top recruiting class next year. The guy is busting his butt for us. Yes, I’m disappointed we’ve not done better under his reign, but I’m not going to let last year’s Elite 8 loss, Karengate or the Rise of the Squid @ Big Brother’s cause me to turn this guy out.
The party’s over Rick…RETIRE NOW !!!
next coach for the New Jersey Nets, just a mild imperfection to note. But has since squashed rumors…
Its time, he is burnt-out with the Louisville job. He needs a fresh start and so do we.