The one that goes right through you, the one which when directed at you, makes you wonder about the real capabilities of the man. It’s a look that can’t help but intimidate the average person, knowing the success Pitino has had in life, on and off the basketball court.
One empathizes with the target when Rick Pitino is dressing down a player during a timeout, when he’s pressing his case with an errant basketball official, or when a sportswriter asks the wrong question at a press conference. It’s a look of a man who knows whereof he speaks, who knows he’s right, who, as often as not, will make one question one’s motivation in doubting the man. He also has the capability of instantaneously turning on the charm, using his charisma to make the case if necessary.
Unless, of course, one happens to be a convicted extortionist without a conscience or any reasoning abilities.
Pitino has had a couple of challenging years since the accusations surfaced against him, including going through a sometimes bewildering judicial process, after which his accuser is still walking around free after being convicted. The process has lost him some respect in some circles, he’s no longer on the Zig Ziglar motivation speaker circuit, and he’s not writing any more success books.
At one point in his life, Pitino appeared to be having as much fun with his celebrity as he was being a successful basketball coach. The scandal we suspect, combined with the unbelievable recruiting success of John Calipari at the University of Kentucky, a man who uses his position to belittle Pitino and his program every chance he gets, forced Pitino to look inward, reexamining the priorities in his life.
He has concluded that, after his family, that college basketball, specifically University of Louisville basketball, is the love of his life. He has thrust himself back into the sport, using his considerable abilities to get the maximum out of his current team — a team that was given no shot at anything during the current season, a year he himself designated as a bridge year. But this team has greatly exceeded expectations because of his renewed focus, competing at a level few thought was possible, a decent pass and a couple of free throws short of winning the Big East Conference tournament.
His recent success in recruiting is another reflection of his refocus on priorities, with a strong mix of top level recruits joining the team next season. Pitino knows there are challenges inherent with such but he will inevitably blend the newcomers with the current resources, which are considerable given their attitudes.
The immediate challenge, of course, is the NCAA Tournament, and it’s the kind of opportunity that drives Rick Pitino, taking a team few analysts believe has a shot, getting his players motivated, believing in themselves, trusting in their coach who believes in them, to achieve new plateaus of success. The past season is ample proof that anything can happen.
They know the look, they know the man behind the look.
They have become “The Team That Wouldn’t Die” — that kind of fighting spirit ought to rejuvenate any coach with a pulse.
Thanks should also go out to the AD, who gave Rick a chance to redeem himself–at least in his public life. Tom’s courage in that move was not widely popular among the populace.
I would also propose that Coach’s eagerness to do anything and everything possible to regain success has rubbed off on this team. At the beginning of the year, I was not hopeful this team would be more than a ‘filler’. With their new attitude, I’ve really enjoyed watching them this year. Ten guys without ego can defeat five selfish players, and I can’t wait to get into the tournament. Go Cards!
Very good point John. Hats off to TJ, the best AD in the business.
Wonderful write up of Coach. He definitely is hungry again and I wouldn’t want to be Morehead St or Coach Tyndall come Thursday.
The part about enjoying the celebrity as much as being a basketball coach is right on. Pitino is hungry again.
I think for a few years Pitino thought he could do no wrong. Events surrounding him made him look in this mirror and question himself. He has reemerged as the coach who was so successful in his younger days. I won’t be surprised at anything he accomplishes at U of L.