A little early to be expecting change, much less demanding it.
Lots of people up in arms, panic mode in full effect, wanting to pin the blame on someone for the downward spiral of the University of Louisville’s basketball fortunes. Five games after this team was 12-0 and fourth in the national polls.
Many blaming Rick Pitino, questioning his oversight, including the offense, substitution patterns, practice sessions, 
his recruiting shortcomings. Even Denny Crum getting into the act Wednesday, wondering whether Pitino works his players too hard. Whether it’s appropriate or not for a former coach to be criticizing his replacement can be debated but it’s out there.
Some, willing to give the coach the benefit of the doubt, suggesting there are differences between players, possibly a bad apple or two creating friction, lack of team unity, possibly even girl friend issues. Others blame it on the play of specific players, first in line Peyton Siva, struggling to get back to full speed but badly mired in a shooting slump, affecting his confidence, every part of his game.
The issues being dissected continuously in a microwave society, the 24-hour news cycle, the round-the-clock fan message boards, at the water cooler, everybody has an opinion, some actually expecting answers. The fan base largely subdividing between those willing to wait and see, those on the fence, and the angry Turks, young and old, wanting to cast Pitino overboard, having lost patience after the first two losses.
Great that everybody is talking U of L basketball, this community has a lot invested in the program, financially and emotionally.
What’s not going to happen, however, is the firing or retiring of Rick Pitino anytime soon. His competitive nature will not allow him to go out without an all-out fight, exploring each and every possible option until one works or they are exhausted.
A couple of weeks ago, remember, Pitino was telling us how much he enjoys coaching this team, the joy of his life. There are at least 15 games remaining this season, and he is not likely to throw in the towel in any game or on his career. He remains, after all, one of the most respected and feared coaches in college basketball.
Can we get Denny Crum back?
Get a life, Dennis. Weren’t you around at the end of Denny Crum’s career. It was pretty sad.
Well, I’ve been trying not to vent about the latest circumstances–but here goes anyway.
There is FRUSTRATION on all sides at the moment. COACH is frustrated because he wants really, really badly to break out this season but everything is going wrong. PLAYERS are frustrated because of the incessant pressures put on them from coach, family, fans and self. FANS are frustrated because the wheels have come off and one wonders if they will ever get it back together. AD is no doubt frustrated lest the situation start to have a financial downside and he would need to push out another Hall of Fame coach. So how do we fix it?
Not much fans can do–plus, we are entitled to gripe…we paid for the privilege. The poor players–well, they are stuck where they are and just have to suck it in, while refusing to listen to basketball advice from anyone but the basketball master. AD isn’t going to move until the dollars soften up. That leaves us with the coach. Did you ever hear the WWII slogan, “Loose lips sink ships”?? IMHO, coach needs to button up and quit knocking his players, the refs, the league, the schedule, the fans and the press. (Did I miss anything?) When coach starts playing the celebrity more than the consummate professional, caring coach–it’s no wonder the players spirits get deflated. He might consider just acknowledging the problems which are obvious to everyone and instead emphasizing the possibilities and potential of the guys he has. As I see it, the great coaches adjust their game to the players he has–rather than forcing guys into unsuitable roles. Coach used to do that. Maybe he needs to look in the mirror, past the Armani and accolades, and remember what made him what he is. A TEAM is both players and coach, with a sprinkling of fans and AD support. Button it up and get back on the team, coach. The TEAM needs you, not the celebrity. My two cents worth, anyway.
Last year Pitino talked about how devastated he was after the Morehead St. loss. A day or two later he shows up on the CBS tournament coverage as a guest analyst, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the only reason he was there was because he was the only named coach available. I guess staying at a 5 star hotel, eating at fine restaurants and probably having a personal driver and assistant while doing his CBS gig eased some of that devastation. Pitino used to be a feared coach. Now I never see his name on any current top ten coaching lists. Pitino has transformed himself from a coach to a celebrity and I believe he enjoys his status as a celebrity more than his status as a coach.
That five-star treatment does tend to inflate one’s ego. Maybe he finally convinced people that he doesn’t want to coach anywhere else.
Well said Charlie- Nice to hear a voice of reason.
Re: Pitino saying how much he enjoys coaching this team.
Why would you believe that? It may well be true but while Pitino doesn’t wear flip flops he sure speaks them. How about weeks and weeks of “our offense is fine” followed by later statements that he knew at the beginning of the season that without Preston we would have trouble scoring and other admissions the offense is not fine.
If you listen carefully to his pressers and then go back to those from a month earlier he is constantly contradicting himself. How about retiring in 2017 and sounding as serious as all get out and then a week later saying it was all a joke?
After years of Pitino speak I have realized it’s my fault if I believe anything he says. I have no idea if he is making statements to get players’ attention, to motivate someone, to slap someone, to make a joke or just to hear himself talk. But I feel better that I no longer listen.