-
Adrian WojnarowskiESPN
After his firing following an FBI probe at Louisville, Rick Pitino is planning to use the season to immerse himself in the NBA game and hopes to become a candidate for head-coaching openings in the spring.
“I just want to be a part of an organization,” Pitino told ESPN. “I want to develop young players. I want to be part of a team. I miss it terribly. I’m using this time to really study the NBA. If something opens up with a young basketball team, I’d have deep interest in it.
“I think the league is going to get younger and player development will become even more important to every organization. That’s my forte. I believe I can help an organization find a pathway to success.”
For Pitino, this is a change of course from an early September public declaration to ESPN’s Mike Greenberg on Get Up that he was “finished coaching.”
Pitino has hired Drew Rosenhaus, a high-profile NFL agent, to represent him. Rosenhaus’ company does represent two NBA players: Portland’s first-round pick Anfernee Simons and Clippers center Montrezl Harrell.
Pitino, 66, was fired at Louisville in the aftermath of the FBI probe into college basketball. Testimony and recordings of government-taped calls suggested that Pitino was unaware of the payments made to former Louisville recruit Brian Bowen’s family.
The FBI probe was the final in a series of scandals at Louisville — including an NCAA investigation into strippers and prostitutes used in recruiting visits with players at Louisville.
In all likelihood, Pitino has a bigger obstacle to returning to the NBA than NCAA failings: convincing league executives and owners that his ego would allow him to be a willing partner with a front office. Many GM’s say that they’d be hesitant on Pitino based on upon the belief that he’d be difficult with which to co-exist, especially in the turbulence of a rebuild.
Nevertheless, few question his greatness as a coach, his ability to maximize the talent of young players and organize them into a competitive group on the floor. Among others, Pitino’s task will be to convince decision-makers of his sincerity in scaling back his persona and reshaping himself as humbled, determined basketball coach.
Organizational structures have changed dramatically since Pitino served as president and coach of the Boston Celtics, and several GM’s asked about Pitino believe that an owner would be more apt to take a chance to Pitino than a top basketball executive.
Pitino resigned with the Celtics early in his fourth season in 2001 with a 102-146 record. Pitino was considered to have been overwhelmed with dual roles, which had been pro sports’ biggest coaching/executive deal to date: 10 years, $70 million contract. He resigned with nearly $30 million left on the deal.
“I’m not looking for any of that (power/control) at this stage of my life,” Pitino told ESPN. “I want to develop teams and develop players and build a winner. I value analytics. I want to fit into an organization. At this stage, that’s all I’m interested in.”
Pitino had a shorter, but more successful run as coach of the New York Knicks in the late 1980’s, winning an Atlantic Division title and reaching the playoffs twice (1988 and 1989) before leaving for Kentucky. Under Pitino, the Knicks won 52 regular-season games, and reached the conference semifinals in his final Knicks season.
Before the scandal that ousted him at Louisville, Pitino authored a legendary college career. He won two national championships (1996 and 2013) and reached five Final Fours. He was 647-392 overall.