By Paul Sykes
A long-term extension for Rick Pitino is a good thing. We’ve seen what the lack of stability can produce in nearby programs. Three coaches in a University of Kentucky program over a four-year period. How many Louisville basketball fans want to go through that?
Recruits want to know that coaches recruiting them will be around. Witness the rapid departure of hopefuls from Memphis to UK when John Calipari was hired. Remember the rebuilding job Mick Cronin and Bob Huggins were faced with when they went to Cincinnati and West Virginia? Or the tribulations of Tom Crean at Indiana?
Pitino is the master of spin. Hands down. Like a fine wine, that will only improve with age. Say what you will about his life off the court, he runs a clean program, recruits well and wants to be here.
Maybe our expectations as fans are out of whack. Louisville is not the Connecticut women’s basketball program. Neither is Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan State or Duke. Parity is the name of this game. With the wealth of talent out there available for Division I basketball programs, it comes as no surprise that the Butler’s, St.Mary’s, and Cornell’s of the college basketball world can occasionally set the axis on tilt.
Remember last year? Louisville was the No. 1 team in the country going into the NCAA Tournament. Rick’s resume speaks for itself. Louisville fans could have it a lot worse.
I’m confident Pitino will give Louisville fans many reasons to be proud. His dedication is sincere, his work habits and ethic unparalleled. He has earned the opportunity to finish his coaching career at U of L.
Or, maybe you want a Seth Greenburg or a Bobby Lutz?
Sonja, I appreciate your careful written information. You nail things right on the head. My hope is that Coach Pitino
can keep a low profile regarding the trial. Although this is FBI and Sypher directed it has been triggered by Pitino and his activity off the court so to speak. This is a layered story that is more than outrageous. I just hope the media circus doesn’t come to town in June.
There will be a media circus unleashed when Rick and the FBI do battle against Ms. Sypher in June. Count on it. Fortunately, it is in June when college basketball is on the back burner for several more months.
Remember that this is about the FBI and Ms. Sypher, though. The FBI is not looking to examine the lifestyle, habits and makeup of the Rick. It is a case involving Sypher’s alleged extortion attempts and lying to the police and governmental agencies.
Having said that, we all know that Rick will be the 500 lb. gorilla in the corner…drawing the media sharks around and creating more spin and prognostication than Pitino would during UK rivalry week.
Let’s hope justice is served. Even if the yellow journalism will be in full mode.
As far as the off court antics….one got out of the bag – all the others are just a part of his rumored history.
I have heard he is a great recruiter and is very dedicated to his coaching profession. My husband has said time and time again – what he does off court is between him and his family. I frankly think, he has been so humiliated by this Sypher incident that his hope is to work hard and end on a strong note with Louisville.
Let’s all keep fingers crossed that his off-court antics don’t get more coverage than the players on whom he should stay focused. Go Cards!
Couldn’t agree more, Paul. Well said!