ESPN: Pitino Tells U of L He’s Staying

Rick Pitino is not going to Sacramento. Friday morning, UofL spokesman Kenny Klein flat out stated Pitino isn’t going there, just like he did yesterday. With that being said, I’d like to take this time to opine about something that bugs me whenever stories about Slick Rick leaving surface. 

So far in 2009 alone, he’s allegedly been a candidate for the Atlanta Hawks, Arizona Wildcats, Alabama Crimson Tide, and now Sacramento Kings. First, just because someone wants Pitino to be their head coach, it does not make him a candidate. Second, while I understand the sense of fear in regards to Slick Rick leaving, there is no reason to become deathly afraid every time there’s an article written about some school/organization wanting him. Slick Rick is one of the top 5 coaches in college basketball and a school with a coaching vacancy would be crazy not to want him.

Another thing to consider is Slick Rick’s statements regarding the NBA and why he chose to go back in 1997. He has said several times, he chose to go because of $50 million and the fact the job he took was for one of the most storied franchises in sports, the Boston Celtics. He said would not have gone back to the NBA if it were for a mediocre or lower tier team. And by the way, HE HAS SAID MANY TIMES LOUISVILLE WILL BE HIS LAST JOB!!!!!!!!!

I know some people claim to never believe what Slick Rick says since he’s a master manipulator, and he is indeed. Does he utilize mind control? Yes. Does he like to do some misdirection if asked a question he doesn’t want to answer? Absolutely. Is he highly skilled at Jedi mind tricks? I think so. However, he is not Bobby Petrino which means he is not a blatant liar. He’s staying put, so everyone calm down. Here’s a snippet from the ESPN.com article:

Rick Pitino has been around the NBA block twice now. Will there be a third time? At least not at the moment.

Responding to an Internet report that said the Louisville coach is a candidate for the Sacramento Kings job, university spokesperson Kenny Klein said he spoke to Pitino on Friday morning and Pitino said he has no intention of leaving the Cardinals.

“He’s not going to the Sacramento Kings,” Klein told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz.

Yahoo! Sports reported on Thursday that Pitino has let Kings ownership know he is interested in a return to the NBA. One league official said the Maloof family was “intrigued,” according to the report, but Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof told Yahoo! there have been no discussions with Pitino.

“I think he’s a great coach and he’s done an unbelievable job at Louisville,” Maloof told Yahoo! Sports, “but we haven’t talked to him.”

Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich told ESPN.com’s Pat Forde, “I’m sure they’re interested [in Pitino]. He’s not going anywhere.”