Why did RP take the UofL job in 2001?

[qwesley]

The Michigan option had some money issues. BO was not going to allow him to make more than Carr. And the whole second fiddle thing was real.

And lol at Joanne playing into any of it to any major degree. She hates KY and he doesn't care much of what she thinks.

Vegas would have been perfect, the John Gotti of cbb.

 

[2Adulterers]

Agreed. Ego was definitely a factor. I've often said that, if he didn't really think there would be a backlash from UK fans, he never understood this rivalry and never really loved UK. But I think he DID understand and he knew exactly what he was doing.

And I agree with others...
1. I think he believed himself to be bigger than either UK or UL.
2. I think he believed many UK fans would come over and cheer for Louisville.
3. I do think he realized the mistake he made by leaving Camelot and he thought UL was the next best option.
4. I think he felt he would be able to duplicate the same success at UL as he did at UK, and he'd go down in history for it. And I don't think he thought he'd need hookers to get it done.

Pretty much all those reasons amount to the reasoning of a man with a HUGE ego!

you pretty much nailed it..Pitino thinks he's bigger than Adolph Rupp.

 

[Cats78]

From what he said he was just waiting on the paper work from Michigan to finish the deal. It was his wife who wanted to go back to ky. Rick said no way could he do that. She was the one who told him it was only 1 game out of the year. Not a big deal. Owe how she was so wrong. Like not knowing her husband was a scum bag , she had no idea by him taking that job he would live in a fish bowl and reminded daily what a scum bag he is , by people who use to worship him.

In that interview you get the feeling he knows it was a mistake now, and kinda wishes he had taken the michigan job.

He even mentions how his failures in Boston keep him from going back to a place he use to love. You kinda got the feeling once UL job is over he and family on first flight out. Really sad. The man will always look back in shame and is not even going to be welcomed in the one state were he accomplished more then any other place.

Joanne??????? What the hell are you talking about? LOL. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how ridiculous it is I suppose.

 

[Bluest Member]

If only we could separate fact from rumor and fiction it would be nice. I think you have done this with link to the article. I don't condone some of Pitino's decisions in his private life, but I think he did some great things for the UK basketball program.

I think its sad the way some have trashed him using rumor only to substantiate their story.

He does have an ego to satisfy, but he is not alone in that by any means.

There have been other coaches that has moved from one school to another in the same conference, for example: Nick Saban {LSU & Alabama}, Bruce Pearl {Tenn & Auburn} , Spurrier {Florida & S. Carolina} and there is probably more.

Pitino did not do that, he did what any coach would do, take the job that he liked the most and it happened to be located in KY. Its refreshing to say the least that all reporting is not is not based on rumors alone. jmho

Pitino didn't move to schools in the same conference,he went from UK to the NBA where they ran him out of Boston and had the opportunity to go to several other big name jobs,even bigger than UL that wasn't Top 15 at the time,but instead went to Kentucky's biggest In State Rival where he kept getting the school to conference jump to support his ego.
Pitino's huge ego has driven him all his life and I know for a fact he thought he could take UK Fans and convert them to UL Fans,he did everything in his power to hurt UK and promote UL,from stopping UK broadcasts in Louisville on radio stations,TV.and in the local media as much as possible.Even had the gall to put up Billboards in Lexington,He was sorely mistaken and it lead to deeper and darker every year until Calipari hire was the straw that broke the camels back.

 

[Bluest Member]

Joanne Pitino is a Northeastern Yankee that has always looked down on Kentuckians and stood by while her whore mongering husband cheated every chance he got,even at UK. She was a big drunk,I suppose that's how she put up with all of it,that and $$$$$.She has no love lost in this state,but Louisville being the largest city at least was better than being in what she considered backwoods Lexington.

 

[CatPhight]

Agreed. Ego was definitely a factor. I've often said that, if he didn't really think there would be a backlash from UK fans, he never understood this rivalry and never really loved UK. But I think he DID understand and he knew exactly what he was doing.

And I agree with others...
1. I think he believed himself to be bigger than either UK or UL.
2. I think he believed many UK fans would come over and cheer for Louisville.
3. I do think he realized the mistake he made by leaving Camelot and he thought UL was the next best option.
4. I think he felt he would be able to duplicate the same success at UL as he did at UK, and he'd go down in history for it. And I don't think he thought he'd need hookers to get it done.

Pretty much all those reasons amount to the reasoning of a man with a HUGE ego!

^ Yep on all points

 

[DSmith21]

Pitino was run out of Boston and wanted to go back to the college ranks. Rick liked the state and UL is a good job that hadn't been vacant for about 30 years. He also had a bunch of friends in Louisville that encouraged him to do it. Finally Jurich came after him aggressively with a $1 million a year offer (which was very good for that time). Here is ABC's take on the story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=99765&page=1

 

[Bluest Member]

Pitino had interests/investments in thoroughbred race horses also,with some other businesses in Kentucky,taking the Louisville job allowed him to be close to that also.

 

[jrpross]

He wanted to come back to UK..He knew what he had and knew he made a huge mistake..I have read that had a meeting with Tubby in Fla to see what he was going to do..Tubby said he was staying at UK ..

I'd heard almost the same story except that Tubby was overwhelmed with the spotlight and was even ready to go. But UK didn't want to buy out his contract and Rick wouldn't take the job if they didn't take care of Tubby. Of course they tried to keep this all quiet so we'll probably never know the exact details. Funny to think about what may have been. Where would UK be now if he'd come back?

 

[W_Heisenberg]

He was working on a coup to get Cliff Hagen to fire Tubby, and at the time couldn't get enough support to do it...remember Tubby had a title and making great momentum in recruiting, again at the time. This 1000% happened, it isn't rumor or speculation. Those around the program at the time know.

So, part of it, not sure how large of part, is out of spite. I'm sure loving the area and being investor in horse racing were reasons as well.

 

[Big Blue in 502]

I remember him saying that he realized how much the state of Ky loved ball so much is what drew him there. If so he should've known only 1% pulls for UL. Even Mr Wildcat warned him but words didn't reach what's between his ears.

what exactly did Keightly say to him?

 

[.S&C.]

Are you serious? He was unemployed and UL is one of the top 7-8 jobs in the country. Plus, and he got a very attractive financial package. The rest doesn't really figure into it.

This is such horseshit. Louisville is not one of the top 7 jobs in the country. Hell, at this point, it's going to be nearly impossible to find a suitable replacement. No one who's a huge name is gonna want to deal with it.

I know people in Kentucky think Lousiville is a big job, but on the national scene, and for those that don't live in the state, it's not considered a big time position. Rick and the arena gave them a bump, but all that's up in smoke now. On the national scene, Lousiville is as big an afterthought as schools like Florida.

Again, I know it's hard for people in state to believe, but no one talks about Louisville outside Kentucky. No one.

Add to it the mess they have, UK dominating the nation, cal at UK, following Pitino, and competing in the coastal conference. ..... pfffff.

Top 7 job in the ACC, sure. In the country? No.

 

[ukalum]

He was working on a coup to get Cliff Hagen to fire Tubby, and at the time couldn't get enough support to do it...remember Tubby had a title and making great momentum in recruiting, again at the time. This 1000% happened, it isn't rumor or speculation. Those around the program at the time know.

So, part of it, not sure how large of part, is out of spite. I'm sure loving the area and being investor in horse racing were reasons as well.

I read about the coup attempt on this board. Larry Ivy was the AD, not Cliff Hagen. I think Cliff Hagen was fired or forced out in the Eddy Sutton mess. Ivy and Pitino were supposedly conspiring to force Tubby out until Lee Todd got wind of it.

 

[EvilMD]

What he should have done was ask for an end to the UK-U of L game once he took over at U of L. That would have prevented 99 percent of the hard feelings, and probably would have made a lot of UK fans pull for U of L when they weren't playing UK. (except for those who live among their idiot fans)

 

[Bill Derington]

Piino tried to get Larry Ivy to deep six Tubby and take him back..offered $$$$$$$$$ Ivy told him **** off..

That's what I remember hearing as well.

I don't believe for a second he took the Louisville job because he loves KY.
He took it out of ego, and because UK didn't hire him after Boston.

Pitino thought HE was bigger than the chair, thats why the 1-8 record versus Calipari at UK eats him up. He could beat Cal at UMASS and Memphis, but he can't at UK.

It's also a reminder of what he threw away, he could be Coach K right now.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Job was available...

UL had some history with titles back in the 80s...

Basketball state...I don't know that he ever really thought he could get the BBN to cheer for UL...but perhaps he saw opportunity to tap into the basketball gene that comes with being born in this state...

Though he could never over take UK...UL didn't really have a king...he would have played second fiddle to football at Michigan...

UL had been dormant for close to two decades...saw opportunity to build another basketball power...the idea of having a championship legacy at both schools in a basketball state...that is something no body could boast...

He knew the lay of land...knew all the wheels to grease...knew his name carried weight...

Knew he could do well in the CUSA...and probably saw the potential of the Big East coming down the pipe...

Tom Jurich...no doubt had a hell of a sales pitch...

maybe thought he could bring pro basketball to the state and be able to be a apart of that...

 

[Estil]

Was it because he loves the state? Or did he think he can get UK fans to root for UofL instead of UK? Or did he think he can do better than what he did at UK?

The same reason Benedict Arnold went to the British

 

[Neue Regel]

This is such horseshit. Louisville is not one of the top 7 jobs in the country. Hell, at this point, it's going to be nearly impossible to find a suitable replacement. No one who's a huge name is gonna want to deal with it.

I know people in Kentucky think Lousiville is a big job, but on the national scene, and for those that don't live in the state, it's not considered a big time position. Rick and the arena gave them a bump, but all that's up in smoke now. On the national scene, Lousiville is as big an afterthought as schools like Florida.

Again, I know it's hard for people in state to believe, but no one talks about Louisville outside Kentucky. No one.

Add to it the mess they have, UK dominating the nation, cal at UK, following Pitino, and competing in the coastal conference. ..... pfffff.

Top 7 job in the ACC, sure. In the country? No.

There's one overlooked caveat here though, Louisville athletics not only rakes in the cash but their athletics program is hugely successful. They came in second in 2015 in NACDA http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-ohio-state-lville-ucla-lead-2014-15-rankings for their overall athletic program.

Last year in a CNN article they had the number one most financially successful basketball program coming off the 2013/14 season. http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/16/news/companies/ncaa-most-profitable/ Excerpt: "The top-earning men's college basketball is actually the Wildcats' in-state rivals, the Louisville Cardinals. That team posted $24 million in profits on revenue of about $40 million during the 2013-2014 school year, based on a CNNMoney analysis of figures filed with the U.S. Department of Education."

So on one hand you say it's not a big job and it's a big afterthought but when you're having the kind of success they are both financially and overall as an athletic department it's a bit tough to say that the Coaching gigs there suck.

 

[tmuck]

I'm not enough of an insider to know. Who are Rick Avert, Brent Rice and Ron Carmicle? I follow the program fairly closely, albeit from out of state these days, but I never recall hearing their names back in those days. Were they UK boosters-turned-Louisville boosters? I hope if they were local businessmen, that appropriate boycotts by UK fans followed.

The article I linked said they were UK fans and boosters. They kept calling him and encouraging him to take the job during the 3 week period he was trying to decide. They were businessmen and close friends of Pitino during his time at UK.

 

[UKWildcatT]

There have been other coaches that has moved from one school to another in the same conference, for example: Nick Saban {LSU & Alabama}, Bruce Pearl {Tenn & Auburn} , Spurrier {Florida & S. Carolina} and there is probably more.

No offense dude, but this statement right here is why you don't get it. If you can't see the difference between going to another school, conference or not, and going to your former school's most despised rival...I simply don't know what to tell you. I really don't

 

[OHIO COLONEL]

No offense dude, but this statement right here is why you don't get it. If you can't see the difference between going to another school, conference or not, and going to your former school's most despised rival...I simply don't know what to tell you. I really don't

Kind of like Woody going to Michigan...or Bo to Ohio State. Or Bear going to Auburn. Big difference than say Pearl who coached at UT for a few years going to Auburn...where to both schools basketball is an afterthought.

 

[LordEgg]

he couldn't play second fiddle to michigan football. nonetheless, he should have gone there. if he had, we would have hired him when tubby left.

 

[Bluest Member]

There's one overlooked caveat here though, Louisville athletics not only rakes in the cash but their athletics program is hugely successful. They came in second in 2015 in NACDA http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-ohio-state-lville-ucla-lead-2014-15-rankings for their overall athletic program.

Last year in a CNN article they had the number one most financially successful basketball program coming off the 2013/14 season. http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/16/news/companies/ncaa-most-profitable/ Excerpt: "The top-earning men's college basketball is actually the Wildcats' in-state rivals, the Louisville Cardinals. That team posted $24 million in profits on revenue of about $40 million during the 2013-2014 school year, based on a CNNMoney analysis of figures filed with the U.S. Department of Education."

So on one hand you say it's not a big job and it's a big afterthought but when you're having the kind of success they are both financially and overall as an athletic department it's a bit tough to say that the Coaching gigs there suck.

When Pitino went to UL none of this was the case,UL didn't rank in the top 150 schools in the country and was considered a third tier academic school,the BS about UL being the most profitable derives from embezzling Tax Payer $$$ and the Crooked YUM deal,all smoke and mirrors created by the Jurich-Pitino Cartel.
UL was faltering under Denny Crum at that time and was in NO National Conversation.

If Pitino loved UK so much then why did he not come back after Tubby bailed,Pitino thinks he is bigger than any program,his ego is big but he isn't.He is a slimy,lying ,weasel that's world of Cheating and Whores have fallen in on him,My thinking decent of him stopped when he did his best to hurt UK and keep UK BB down,he had a part in Donovans refusal to come here,and has had a hand in negative media stories about UK One and Done Recruits and Calipari.Pitino's buddy at the Chicago Sun Times made up the Lies about Anthony Davis and Ricky Jr at Florida tried to hurt Eric Bledsoe and John Wall

 

[Katwatcher]

No offense dude, but this statement right here is why you don't get it. If you can't see the difference between going to another school, conference or not, and going to your former school's most despised rival...I simply don't know what to tell you. I really don't

No problem,

 

[Neue Regel]

No offense dude, but this statement right here is why you don't get it. If you can't see the difference between going to another school, conference or not, and going to your former school's most despised rival...I simply don't know what to tell you. I really don't

I certainly understand it. It was a grimace move. Of all the places he could have gone he chooses the hated in-state rival of the most passionate fan base in College Hoops. There's no way he didn't know that there would be deeply stirred passions over it. He had the stature to have gotten a big time job in many other locations but he chose the Cards.

 

[TexKat]

what exactly did Keightly say to him?

Relative word was he told him he can't do that and he should know how bitter the rivalry is. Told him how much he was loved at UK and this would not go over good at all.

 

[Teachable Moe]

 

[Katwatcher]

Kind of like Woody going to Michigan...or Bo to Ohio State. Or Bear going to Auburn. Big difference than say Pearl who coached at UT for a few years going to Auburn...where to both schools basketball is an afterthought.

What about Saban going to Alabama - and Spurrier going to S. Carolina. They are not afterthoughts.

I just can't see a coaches former school whether they were rivals or not deprive a coach of employment where he wants to coach, especially if it had been several years . If you worked at Pepsi-cola and Coca-cola offered you a job, would it be right for Pepsi to call you a traitor or worse if you wanted to work for Coca-cola?

 

[2Adulterers]

OK let me clear it up..Ricky Avare is SQUIRTino's Agent..Brent Rice is his personal Lawyer.Ron Carmicle is a money adviser They hold a lot of weight with the scumbag..

 

[2Adulterers]

There's one overlooked caveat here though, Louisville athletics not only rakes in the cash but their athletics program is hugely successful. They came in second in 2015 in NACDA http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-ohio-state-lville-ucla-lead-2014-15-rankings for their overall athletic program.

Last year in a CNN article they had the number one most financially successful basketball program coming off the 2013/14 season. http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/16/news/companies/ncaa-most-profitable/ Excerpt: "The top-earning men's college basketball is actually the Wildcats' in-state rivals, the Louisville Cardinals. That team posted $24 million in profits on revenue of about $40 million during the 2013-2014 school year, based on a CNNMoney analysis of figures filed with the U.S. Department of Education."

So on one hand you say it's not a big job and it's a big afterthought but when you're having the kind of success they are both financially and overall as an athletic department it's a bit tough to say that the Coaching gigs there suck.

SCUMtino has plenty of $$$$$$ without worrying about the slush fund at the YUM! Center..

 

[DSmith21]

Carmicle bio:

http://www.mccallgroup.org/employees/ron-carmicle/

 

[TexKat]

SQUIRTino is an ego maniac.He thinks he rebuilt UK basketball and saved us..I have told the story on here where he told CM Newton he thought a new arena should be named after him..Rick thought that the UK fans would accept him at Little Brudder..His ass kissing buddy Terry Meiners cconvnced him of this.So Jurich threw Denny out with the bath water and HERE'S RICKY...Well you uavel lovers got him are you happy? I think not..your program is in ruins..about to go on probation..and you cannot seem the get rid of an Adultering sociopath.
Karma is a bitch.I ran into him in Louisville when he first took the uavel job..I was at a restaurant on Oaks Day and he was behind me..He sent a gofor to summon me and I told him He is not my Coach tell him to come up here..Pitino walked up and shook my hand and asked.."are you ok with me at Looeyville?".emphatically I said "NO..Bear Bryant wouldn't coach Auburn and you have no business at Little Brother"..He laughed and parted company..Pitino made his bed let him rot in it..The heat will get turned up soon enough..

True story?

 

[UKWildcatT]

What about Saban going to Alabama - and Spurrier going to S. Carolina. They are not afterthoughts.

I just can't see a coaches former school whether they were rivals or not deprive a coach of employment where he wants to coach, especially if it had been several years . If you worked at Pepsi-cola and Coca-cola offered you a job, would it be right for Pepsi to call you a traitor or worse if you wanted to work for Coca-cola?

Once again, this is why you don't get it.

You honestly can't be a Kentucky fan

 

[2Adulterers]

True story?

cross my heart..

 

[TexKat]

cross my heart..

Copy. What an arrogant pos. Kudos to you for getting him to come to you! The guy just didn't get it how conflicting his move was. You know what they say back in the hills....a hog can't smell his own filth

 

[Sawnee Cat]

To rub it in our face. And he did

 

[denhunter]

He wasn't gonna take the UL job, but Billy Minardi and Joanne talked him into it. They told him don't worry about what UK fans think, and take the best job available, in a State that you love. He also talked to many of his former UK players, some of his inner circle UK buddies, and they all not only gave him their blessing, but encouraged him to take the job. I think some of his UK buddy sheep even went over to the darkside and became UL fans. Ron Carmicle, Rick Avert, Brent Rice, and Fat Vinny Tatum to name a few. Here's an article about it.

http://www.kentuckynewera.com/article_750551bf-48d8-5935-8c2c-95857369c621.html

Thanks for the link. I had never heard this story, nor of this guy Carmicle. Who is he, yet another carpetbagger? This has to be the stupidest statement in the history of Kentucky basketball:

"We wanted to show him the other side," Carmicle said. "We wanted to let him know that the people making a big deal about this was just a small group of jilted UK fans. Most of the state wants to embrace this."

'Small group' indeed.

 

[UK till Death]

that's what I thought, too - I've heard rumors she lives across the river
maybe she got a great deal at Zippy's condos?

Are you saying Zippy may have pushed Joanne into a pool?

 

[TexKat]

That's what I remember hearing as well.

I don't believe for a second he took the Louisville job because he loves KY.
He took it out of ego, and because UK didn't hire him after Boston.

Pitino thought HE was bigger than the chair, thats why the 1-8 record versus Calipari at UK eats him up. He could beat Cal at UMASS and Memphis, but he can't at UK.

It's also a reminder of what he threw away, he could be Coach K right now.

So you think he was just being spiteful? Would't surprise me as we know his antics quite well now

 

[denhunter]

So you think he was just being spiteful? Would't surprise me as we know his antics quite well now

I always heard and thought that he asked for his job back and UK wouldn't fire Tubby, so he used his 'screw you' option and went to the Dark Side.