Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
I got a very interesting email last week that I thought I would share with you all and get your thoughts. Again, this an email sent to me. I will also be interested to see at what comment somebody calls me an idiot thinking this is my writing. Anyway, here is the email:
“BTI, you are one to say crazy things so let me throw this one at you. As a Kentucky fan since 1987, Rick Pitino and his tenure at Kentucky were a huge part of my fanhood. I would say that even during the 2 Calipari years, I haven’t gotten as excited as I did during Pitino’s time in Lexington. Then, after taking us to a title once and 2 other Final Fours, he left for one of the great coaching jobs in sports for an absurd amount of money. He failed in Boston, and has openly admitted that leaving Lexington was the biggest mistake of his career.
But this is where it gets hazy for me. When he was gone from Boston, there were basically 3 major college basketball jobs open: Michigan, UNLV, and Louisville. And from what I understand, and what you typically get from Tom Jurich, UL offered him the most money, and is likely the most prestigious of those 3 jobs. So Pitino took it.
In my opinion, he simply made the best business decision for him. I have never understood the hatred for taking the job of the rival, especially since Pitino had no ties to UK before taking the job in 1989. It would absolutely be different if Joe B. Hall took the UL job because he was a UK player and bled blue. Pitino took the UK job not because he loved Kentucky, but simply because it was the best job available at the time. Which is exactly what he did at Louisville as well.
So again, why is it a requirement as a UK fan to hate Pitino? The man brought this program back from its darkest day and then made 2 business decisions that were best for his checkbook. I am sure he came to love the program, but to assume because he coached here he was FORBIDDEN from coaching Louisville seems absurd to me. Especially when you consider there was another job in between those 2 stops.
And if you choose to publish this, don’t let people tell you it is about the abortion. All that Sypher crap did was add ammunition to UK fans arsenal. They hated him at 100% before, and that just made it funnier. Nobody hates him now that didn’t hate him before Sypher. So that is a cop-out excuse to hate the guy simply because their feelings were hurt for silly reasons before.
So I guess the question is: Why should we hate a guy that brought us so much joy? I don’t get it and consider me a lifelong Pitino fan for what he did. And I hope he loses every game at UL. Hahaha. Keep it up. Don’t let the haters get you down.
-Jerry in Bardstown”
So, I will simply say Jerry makes some very solid points in this email. Now I give it to you. Pitino did have the best 8 year run at UK since the late 1940′s. He did it clean and brought character guys into the program. And then he left for a higher paying job that was closer to heart than UK was. But he does now work for our rival. Is this really unacceptable or just how business goes?
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*Want to give a shout-out to two KSR couples currently celebrating engagements. Adam Wadlington and Liz Hennessey are due to tie the knot in June and I just celebrated the bachelor party with Adam and friends this weekend. At which time I met Jordan Carlock, a big KSR fan, who’s fiance did not believe him when he said he met BTI. So, I will simply tell Erin Flaherty that yes I did hang with your fiance and he can tell you that I am far more stupid in person than on this blog. Congrats to the 4 of you!
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May 9th, 2011 at 9:03 am
I agree with Jerry.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:04 am
I dislike Pitino for other reasons, where he coaches matters not. Especially when we beat them on a regular basis.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:06 am
I hate him because he is coaching our most hated rival. Period.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:07 am
I poke fun at Pitino and his situation from time to time, but I don’t hate the guy. Pitino played a huge part in getting the UK brand up and running again after Sutton and gave me some of the best memories of my time as a UK fan.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Jerry makes a lot of good points. The thing is, Pitino never was and never will be as successful at any other school than he was at UK. The things that he did when KY was successful (3 point shooting, full court press, etc) are being done by everyone now. His days of being an elite coach are over. But it sure was a fun ride when he was here, right?
May 9th, 2011 at 9:08 am
I don’t hate Quick Rick. I love laughing at him, his 15 seconds of shame that will live on in infamy, and the fact that he hasn’t been able to duplicate his UK success at Louisville. Other than that, I’m indifferent about him, though I appreciate what he did to bring UK back after some dark times.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:11 am
I don’t hate Pitino and never had. What has happened is that I have lost all respect for the man. When he had his team come in and play that ol thug ball two years ago was when I lost respect for him. I realize that was his best shot at winning, but it could have gotten someone hurt.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:13 am
First, if you do not understand the dislike for Pitino coaching at UofL, you just don’t get it, you never will and you should probably just claim to be a Pitino fan rather than a fan of either school.
Second, Pitino left the KNICKS to coach at UK. The Knicks job isn’t exactly the Clippers. He left the Knicks for the challenge.
Lastly, Rick could’ve taken any job in America other than the UofL job (even an SEC job) and the dislike wouldn’t have been/be be so severe. The reason, Rick lived the rivalry. He knew how Bill Keightly would start getting nervous weeks before the UofL game, but yet given other suitable options… RP still chose UofL. Traitor plain and simple. A guy who has a banner in Rupp goes to coach at the rival school. BBN was disrespected and BBN don’t forget.
As far as business decision… The Celts paid him a fortune, it’s not like Rick’s family was struggling. And if I remember correctly, UCLA was in the mix for Rick. UCLA is a better job in every way than Louisville then, and now. UNLV was probably a better fit for Rick as he could out recruit anyone on the west coast (sans Arizona perhaps) for talent.
Ok enough already….
May 9th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Believe me or not, I don’t care. But to some coaches, it’s not all about the money.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Using the blog for personal shoutouts, BTI? That’s bush league.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Best article BTI has ever written, except for the first and last two paragraphs!
May 9th, 2011 at 9:18 am
My hatred for UL is based primarily on the fan base. I appreciated everything that Pitino did for UK and have never had any problems with him coaching UL. I always laugh when a UL fan brings up the fact that “their coach” has a National Championship and they say it as if the banner is hanging in their building.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:18 am
There wasn’t three jobs open as the writer of the email implies. Tom Jurich basically fired a current HOF coach. I’m sure everyone remembers the infamous “memo” by Denny Crum over being asked to step aside and make way for Pitino.
So let’s not sugercoat this and I also get tired of reading crap like he brought the UK program back. Horseshat! UK would’ve be fine and in my opinion better off in the long run if they’d stuck by Sutton and never heard of Rick Pitino. Eddie Sutton for all his faults loved Kentucky and it’s fans. Even embraced BBN something Rick Pitino never did.
Bottom line, and I don’t mean trading UK blue for UL red but Pitino’s done far more injury to the Kentucky program and it’s fans than any good he ever did. Plus the fact remains he is a traitor. Where are their “got rick?” t-shirts now….Pfft..
Sounds like a UL fan telling UK fans not to be so mad at rick and give him a break. Why? I say screw em both.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:21 am
What this fails to mention is that during Pitinos tenure at UK…he HATED UL….He constantly gave the one liners about UL, Crum, etc. He helped perpetuate the rival between the schools and fans. It wasn’t a pure business decision….he probably felt more comfortable at UL because of his ties in Kentucky. He could have went any where and UK fans would have supported him….but he chose the hated rival and he deserves all the negative self serving crud he gets. In my opinion it was a Slap at UK fans….if all remember…Pitino would say, if they (UK fans) are Rick Pitino fans they would support me…screw him and his hypocritical positions.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:22 am
rick had money and options … even if you believe Louisville was the best option for THAT YEAR … he could have , simply out of respect for UK, not taken the job at their most hated rival … i am no economics major or financial analyst, but i THINK his millions from the Knicks, UK, Celtic years afforded him the option of passing UL for a year to see what opened up the next … it was pure EGO that allowed him to think he could amble back to the Commonwealth, rely on the love of the UK fans for what he built here and take the job at UL and be ‘King of the Bluegrass’ … he truely thought he was bigger than the program … he wasn’t, i respect and thank him for what he did during that amazing run … which included my years at UK as a student, but he took a massive hit when he flaunted that assumption of undying love when he took over at UL
May 9th, 2011 at 9:24 am
As a UK fan, I don’t hate Pitino, I don’t even hate Louisville…I just would not walk downtown alone after midnight. But I DO hate the Indiana Hoosiers. Go figure.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Pitino did all of the thing Jerry said, and I have not problem with him leaving for Boston. I would argue that the Michigan job was equal to the UL position and it may have made it easier for him to be successful, so I believe this was his second mistake (going to Boston and then to Louisville) in his basketball coaching career. I would say it was his ego that led to these errors. No hate for these errors or his poor moral choices off the court (no one is perfect). Why I dislike him now…when we suffered through the pain of Tubby ball and his departure – attacked UK fans and the BBN, then publically advised Bill Donovan not to take the job. That is when, in my opinion, BBN turned on him. He continues to dig the hole deeper with his rants…the next generation Bobby Knight. His arrogance is his undoing, always will be, not a humble bone is his body.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:25 am
If Louisville was worth a damn it would matter, but they are not
May 9th, 2011 at 9:25 am
I agree with the e mail, How many of use would not done the same thing for that much money. Also if he was still at uk we would not have ever heard of Syher uk would have paid her.
Yes I’m a die hard uk fan I bleed blue, but money is money, we would all go to louisville for a big paycheck vs a small one
May 9th, 2011 at 9:27 am
I appreciate everything Pitino did for our program. His act of hubris is undeniable though. At the end of the day I like him and he is a big part of our history.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:29 am
I was a UK student from 1993-1999 (the best basketball years ever) Let me say It was a business decision, but there were some personal things int there that people are missing, or simply dont know about. Pitino went to the UK brass and asked for a Lifetime contract at UK and was completly denied. After leaving for Boston, Pitino actually thought UK would be a place he could return, but the instant the news come out that Pitino was back on the college market UK gave Tubby a contract extension. Pitino was THEN approached by Jurich, and Pitino went to UL. So while yes this was a business decision, do not think for ONE SECOND that Pitino and his ego didnt choose Louisville so he could stick it back at UK for not taking him back in.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Shut up Jerry. RP is a butt hole, always has been, even at KY. 15 second Rick deserves all we can give him.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:32 am
I honestly believe it is NOT that we hate Pitino….IT IS that we HATE Louisville……..not really the University but their FANS who think their feces smells good…
May 9th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Correct #18, very true.
VII, really, we just don’t get it? Wow, you sound like youre worried about UofL.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I am a UK fan. Louisville,UNC,Duke,Kansas,Tenn,Florida, and Indiana. They are hated. I don’t care if Jesus was the coach at those school, I will always hate them. I bleed blue, and if u ain’t down with that I got 2 words for ya….SUCK IT
May 9th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I think most fans in the Big Blue Nation have lost respect for Pitino. Not because of his personal problems or being Benedict Pitino, but because of his arrogance.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Remember how we felt about Coach Cal before we got him? Yeah. We all do.
Think of him leaving UK to go coach UL.
SSDD
We respect Pitino because of what he did for the Cats but ultimately for him and Coach Cal, it is only a job.
For coach Hall, it was much more and still is today.
That’s the difference.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Jerry is dead on. Pitino did wonders for Kentucky and came into a situation that was far more disastrous than what Coach Cal came into after Billy Clyde.
Pitino should be cursed, hazed and SMITED when Louisville plays Kentucky.. But other than that, Kentucky should always respect what he did for the University of Kentucky, it’s basketball legacy and the program as a whole.
Glad you posted this BTI.
Best post you ever wrote and it’s 90% someone elses words.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:38 am
You are married to the love of your life, and you could NOT be happier. Then one day she walks in, says Im outta here because a guy with a lot more money wants her, so she divorces you. Then after a few years she realizes the mistake she made, and calls you and asks you to take her back, but you decline because of the hurt she caused you. So she seduces your Little Brother and marries him.
Would you EVER accept that? Pitino committed the ultimate career ending decision, and although it didnt end his career, he is only a shell of what he was before leaving UK, and I say “Karma is a bitch”, and I will always love Pitino for what he did at UK, but Ill never forgive him as a fan of the game, for what he did to UK and BBN when he came back.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Any true UK fan should hate Pitino for going to Little Brother. AND, although Pitino was UK’s coach during our comeback years, he was successful BECAUSE he was at UK. It is evident that he can’t be successful at other programs. So I don’t “worship” him for “bringing us back”. He’s a loser and belongs at Loserville. Enough said.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:40 am
I’m not mad at, nor do I hate Pitino…I merely laugh at him.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Well said Jerry. I agree with him whole-heartedly. Sure, I have laughed at the antics in Louisville because they are our rivals and I wish Pitino limited success there, but I don’t hate him and tremendous respect for what he brought to UK. I was at UK during the amazing 96, 97, and 98 runs and can say that not only did Pitino bring us some amazing memories, but he left the program in great shape at his departure as well. I love Cal and am enjoying this run, but you have to admit, you are a little worried about when he finally does move on, what will be left of the program? Pitino left the cubbard full enough for a great x’s and o’s coach to come in and win a title with the players remaining in the program…and Come on, that 96 team was just unbelievable.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:42 am
I generally like Pitino and appreciate everything he did for UK. If he were not coaching at UL, he’d be loved by 95% of UK fans.
Also, I don’t know why, but I don’t hate Louisville as much as our other Rivals. I will cheer for anyone against Indiana, Tennessee, or more recently Florida, but if UL is playing I typically hope they win. Maybe it’s because I don’t consider it as big a rivalry since it seems like we’re always beating them.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:44 am
I never hated the man until the last few years. Like the emailer said, he gave me some of the best times of my life during his coaching tenure. I was in college during that mid 90′s run and it made my college experience a lot more interesting and fun. Then here are these last few years and he just comes across as a creepy and disgusting man. I have no respect for him anymore and he is not close to the coach he once was. Yep, I hate him!
May 9th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Rick is so awesome he suggested UK hire us after Tubby left. He is a great guy and loves UK. He thought we would be so much better at UK than Calipari.
How can anyone dislike a guy who has so much love to give.
Clearly by suggesting UK hire one of us great coaches, Rick loves UK and it’s fans. Why does it have to be so one sided?
If Rick Loves UK the fans should love him back with the same passion and integrity.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:46 am
i have thought about writing the same email so many times that JERRY just wrote…absolutely spot on in every one of his comments…i can remember the time prior to him being hired when KENNY WALKER
May 9th, 2011 at 9:47 am
I respect Pitino and always will for what he did for our University and for the kids that played for him. He was the guy who drew up the blueprints for a Calipari type head coach. Calipari just took it and did it better. I do not boo when he comes to Rupp. He should have a banner in the rafters as well once he retires. However he does coach UL and therefore is our enemy for the time being. Once he retires we can all go back and enjoy the memories of when he was here.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Actually I just reread Jerry’s letter. I actually do dislike Pitino for the abortion aspect. Well I lost any respect for the guy because of it.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:49 am
The view that money should drive all decisions is one of the reasons our country is in the shape it is in today. It justifies putting our moral compasses aside so we can take the money and run and not feel bad about it. I loved Rick Pitino while he was here and had no problem when he left for the Celtics. Taking the Lville job did not pass the gut test.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:50 am
i have thought about writing the same email so many times that JERRY just wrote…absolutely spot on in every one of his comments…i can remember the time prior to him being hired when KENNY WALKER was playing for him with the KNICKS and hoping he would be hired…..the excitemnt..the energy, the style of -play he brought made that era of UK basketball as exciting or more so than the past 2 years…so my hat is off to you JERRY… fantastic email and enough of the bashing.. as for KSR …this is a sports website….you dont need to put your feelings about abortions on this site…there are enough other sites to do that if u want to leave a comment….
May 9th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I think KSR is “obsessed” with Rick Pitino. Why don’t you guys just get over him and post about UK stuff? GEEZ, you really are obsessed with this guy.
May 9th, 2011 at 9:51 am
Okay, so he had no ties before coming to UK…however he coached UK and developed relationships and ties to UK. He, by coaching Kentucky, knows first hand the distain for everything UofL. So, yes it is unacceptable. Coach K has no ties to Duke, but what if he took the Lakers job, didn’t succeed and 2 years later went and took head coaching position at UNC? You think Puke fans would think, oh..just a business decision? Hell no! Screw Pitino and screw this guy
May 9th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Oh, and I’ll say I am more excited about the possibilities under Cal than I was under Pitino at any point…especially by his 2nd year! I have respect for Pitino as a coach and appreciate what he did while coaching UK, but to go to UofL is pathetic…so as I said before screw Pitino (it’ll only take you 15 seconds)
May 9th, 2011 at 9:55 am
41) Really? Have you read this site? It isn’t Kentucksportsradio.com its kentuckyandalloftheiropponentssportsradio.com
May 9th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Jerry, I don’t necessarily hate him; actually I’m enjoying the hell out of his missteps at UL. But I do not respect him for taking the position of coach at our rival. Yes, he did some great things while at UK and brought us much joy. But lets not forget he was part of the BBN, and probably dropped a few “little brother” bombs. Oh it was all about the money in both deals for Rick, but it doesn’t mean we have to give him a pass.
On a side note, did anyone see Joanne Pitino at the Derby? Egads. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!
May 9th, 2011 at 10:01 am
well I was a fan long before Rick. I dislike him even though the years he was here was great. It is sort of like what you thought was a great marriage then find out your the only one who believes it. He is so consumed with his ego that he always needs a bigger stage. Just because he says he made a mistake does not necessarily mean he really “feels” it. He is a liar and it is easier to lie than be sincere. Bottom line is he could have waited a year, it wasn’t money. He could have taken any other job is the US but Louisville–really, come on!
If you have any appreciation of Kentucky you know it has always been the underdog country kids versus the city kids. He is a snake, only values himself and does not, nor never did give a two dimes about UK. Like his past and future sins he only cares when he gets burned. A real creep, glad he is gone, even though I did enjoy UK when he was here. If our current coach leaves it will be really depressing but that is just the ways things are but if he throws mud on you and spits in your face, well that an entirely different matter.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:01 am
Sometimes business decisions come at a cost. Even if the premise that Louisville was the best job open at the time, he had to know the effect it would have on UK fans. If he didn’t he was an idiot. Imagine Coach K taking the UNC job. Fact is Pitino didn’t take the job for business or money reasons. He took it to salvage his ego which had taken a brutal beating in Boston. He was under the illusion that he could go to UL and replicate the idolation he had at UK. He couldn’t bear not being in the limelight and he thought he had a built in base of support in Kentucky. He was wrong…hence, his admission that going to Boston was the biggest mistake of his life. People make choices in life and he made his. He might have made good business decisions, but they have come at a cost to his family and personal life. Hope he enjoys wallowing in his money. It’s all he has left.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:02 am
On a side note, did anyone see Joanne Pitino at the Derby? Egads. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth!
Sorry, need clarification on this…as in…what?
May 9th, 2011 at 10:02 am
I appreciate his coaching. I don’t like him as a person. My take is he always ‘said’ he loved Kentucky, Kentucky fans, Kentucky was the Roman Empire of basketball, hated L’ville etc. and then his wife tells him to ‘go with his heart’ and all of a sudden he loves Louisville. Give me a break. He knew Kentucky fans would be upset by him going to L’ville and he didn’t care. All that love for Kentucky. Uh, huh. He’s such a piece of work. I just hate when basketball in general went from having a coach that was loyal to their teams and schools to being only about the money and it wasn’t like Pitino needed the money.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:04 am
Valid point. Regardless of where you stand, a well argued opinion is never wrong.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:05 am
I never hated him, he was the coach when I went to UK. If I saw him on the street I would shake his (left Hand) and thank him for what he brought to UK. I would probably also call him a traitor and tease him about being a turn coat. That is part of the rivalry and in no way does it diminish for me what he has done at UK or make me think less of him.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:10 am
46) How old are you? Who was the last “country” boy to really star at Kentucky? You act like Lexington is just some one horse town and the team plays in a barn.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Pitino made a good business decision. He’da solidified his greatness if he chose another school, and stated that he could not coach at UofL because of his experience at UK.
Yes, it IS possible to like a coach but not like the school he coaches.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:13 am
46) Your hillbilly expressions to valid statements ratio is about 17:0
May 9th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Jerry you just don’t get it. I don’t hate Pitino but since he is associated with UL then he becomes apart of them and makes him public enemy. Same would be if Matt Jones left KSR to write for Loserville we would hate him also. Plus Pitino told us he wasn’t going anywhere then he did.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Kentucky did more for Petino than Petino did for Kentucky. By a long shot….
May 9th, 2011 at 10:18 am
He had ties to UK after leaving here. He knew better. I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:19 am
No probs with Pitino.
I think he still loves UK and Kentucky.
While he’s at UL, though, he is the opponent in the great instate rival. I won’t cheer for him. Nothing really against Louisville. I just don’t like ‘em. While Pitino is there, he’s the Coach of UL. Afterwards, I’ll not hold it against him.
But while he’s there, I hope he loses, loses, loses and loses some more.
He does some strange things over there at Little Bro. Strange. That’s all on him. He made it easy to ridicule him.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:21 am
“Kentucky did more for Petino than Petino did for Kentucky. By a long shot….”
Never have and never will buy this.
Now that can be said of Tubby Smith. I don’t think it can be said of Pitino. Pitino came in while UK was in ruins. The Basketball Program that is. He left it on top of the College Basketball World. I think the 8 years were mutually beneficial for both.
And then C.M. Newton hired Tubby and erased those 8 years. lol
May 9th, 2011 at 10:25 am
My hatred for Rick is a simple one. He always thought of himself as larger than UK Basketball, and nothing is larger than that….
May 9th, 2011 at 10:26 am
My lifelong best friend’s little sister is has blossomed in to a full on hottie, but she’s still of limits, but she is the best thing available on the market right now.
Pitino added fire to my Louisville hatred. I hated Louisville before he got there, him taking that job added more fuel, just as the Sypher ordeal added even more fuel. Not to mention he lost almost all my respect when he “demanded” how he take over the Celtics, basically kicking Red to the curb. Pitino has no loyalty or respect for tradition, and has proven it at each step of his career. Louisville is a perfect fit for someone like him.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:26 am
15, 26, 49:
You guys are right on!
Money does not buy happiness!
May 9th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Any UK fan blindly hates Pitino is not a true fan, he brought out of the depths of probation and made Kentucky basketball what it is today… without him, UK wouldn’t be relevant anymore.
I’m a UK fan and I love Pitino, always have, always will. I root for Louisville when they don’t play Kentucky
May 9th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Bravo Jerry…Bravo!
May 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
There is only one reason Three Stacks took the UL job. So no one would talk about the abysmal job he did in Boston. It was the only place he could go where the story would not be, after a miserable failure in Boston Pitino takes the UCLA job. He is an egomaniac that could care less about the tradition or fanbase of the school he coaches for. He is a mercenary that only cares about himself. It bothered me when he took the UL job, but he became loathsome to me when he talked about the “small minded UK fans” and “if you wear blue in Freedom Hall we are going to take away your tickets”. Now I just revel in the dumpster fire his personal life has become and his pathetic performance on the basketball court. I hope he stays there 10 more years.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
If Cal ever has teams as good as the ones Rick ended up with at UK, I’ll be surprised.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Amazing that people still give a damn about who Pitino is to me ? He had his glory now is he just a piece of history imo.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:36 am
I love (and miss) the way he coaches / his team’s style of play.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Honestly BTI, this proves you don’t get it… or at least that this so-called UK fan emailer doesn’t get it. Again BTI, by posting this email, it’s as if you once again feel the need to lecture UK fans or point out opposing viewpoints to UK fans… just so UK fans know how others view them.
Of course the UofL job was the best job at the time. That doesn’t mean Pitino had to take that job… and he certainly didn’t need the money. Pitino knew what he was doing, otherwise he wouldn’t have inquired with so many ex-players, friends and acquaintances as to how it would go over if he took the UofL job after coaching at UK. Pitino was viewed differently by UK fans once he took the UofL job. That doesn’t mean that we (as UK fans) don’t appreciate everything he accomplished for UK while he coached there. It just means that Pitino was more interested in coaching basketball at a high level than anything else. Pitino’s not into loyalty to one school or franchise. He’s into improving his legacy as a high level basketball coach. That’s it.
I’m just surprised that so many people either don’t get it or act like they don’t get it.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:41 am
Rick was great for UK and UK was great for him, I hate UofL, he had to know that Uk fan would be upset. Its part of the job, he made the choice. I also hate Indiana!
May 9th, 2011 at 10:43 am
69) If 75 people think one thing and 25 people think the opposite, who doesn’t get it? Because it seems like the emailer I got is in the 75-percent and you are in the minority. Maybe it’s YOU who doesn’t get it!
May 9th, 2011 at 10:44 am
At UK — loved him.
At UL — hate him.
It really is not hard to understand.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Imagine it in this made up scenario: You get married, then divorced because she leaves you. Then she decides to marry a close acquaintance of yours. That is just a set up for negative feelings, no matter how great the marriage was. Once Pitino retires I will continue to remember the UK years and all their glory (believe me I appreciate everything he accomplished). But as the current coach at Louisville it is much more difficult to do so given the situation he put Kentucky fans in. I hope for the majority of BBN after he retires from basketball (and takes a commentator job, you know it’s coming) he will be remembered as a GREAT coach at KY, versus a bottom-feeder at UL.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:54 am
73) Cmon! Bottom feeder? He has been to as many Final Fours at Louisville (1) as UK went to under 10 years of Tubby. At least don’t be blinded by hatred to not give the guy ANY credit for anything.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:02 am
The writer states three jobs open at the time Rick was leaving Boston. So, doesn’t Rick have enough money that he could have sat out of coaching for one year rather than taking the Louisville job? My complaint about Rick has always been (even when he coached at UK) that it is all about Rick. Listen to his press conferences and count how many times he references “I”. It is all about him! He and Obama are in the same EGO fraternity!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:14 am
I’m sure Jerry in Bardstown would be fine if his ex-wife married his brother because it was a better business choice.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:16 am
I thought the UCLA job was open at that time as well.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:18 am
On a side note, did anyone see Joanne Pitino at the Derby? Egads. Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth
I didn’t see her – do you have a link to a picture of her?
May 9th, 2011 at 11:18 am
13 dan is right on. The Louisville job was not open as Jerry surmises. Jurich canned Denny Crum only AFTER Pitino took the first step and privately expressed interest.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:21 am
No Jerry, you’re right–you don’t get it!
You don’t come back to college & coach the other side of college basketball’s most vicious rivalry!
If ol’ slicky would’ve gone to (almost) Any other school in the country–I’d still be a fan, but you just don’t come back & coach in the back yard–Period!
What if Dean Smith came back to coach dook? Ya think the unc fans would like it??
May 9th, 2011 at 11:21 am
While it was ultimately shown to be a mistake, and I wished he hadn’t left, I didn’t blame Pitino for going to the Celtics. Whether he was following some dream or just going for the next big challenge, he made a decision and made a lot of money. And his replacement won us a title immediately.
But it doesn’t matter that he had no ties to us before. It doesn’t matter that the rivalry wasn’t his before coming to UK. The same thing applies to him that would apply to a player who turns us down because “Louisville” is better, or who transfers from UK to UL or another major rival — you’re going to a rival. A rival may make for fun games, but ultimately it’s the enemy, and when you help them, you hurt UK. Pitino having success at Louisville takes away luster from UK. Pitino was directly recruiting against UK. Pitino would be regularly coaching against UK, and not at some lower level school without the talent to compete like a former player coaching at EKU.
He’ll always be the guy who dug us out of probation and got us back to the promised land, and a lot of people have forgiven him to a certain degree (whether when he made the Camelot comments, when he spoke at Bill Keightley’s memorial, or just when he got really bad at Louisville), but he’s still at the enemy/competitor, and he’s still recruiting against UK (albeit poorly). I don’t care if it’s all business to him. That’s not how fandom works. He knows that, and he used our strong fandom gladly while here.
We all know we can’t get every good kid here, and not every kid wants certain situations. Some kids just want to stay closer to home elsewhere, or play in a different system, or climate, or they just like the girls at another school. Most of us with sense don’t begrudge the decisions made by all those recruits. But when you’re a part of our tradition for years, and help return it to glory, and then you go to try to do the same thing for a rival, it’s an insult.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:21 am
My opinion….If Pitino wanted to come back to UK five years from now… He would have the job. I am a UK fan and everybody talks about hating him as we all know. But, when it comes down to it one on one talking to people and I throw the statement out there “I like Pitino, always have, always will, and if he came back tomorrow I’d be as happy as ever” Most of the time the person will agree. As far as coaching for Louisville, I hope they never beat us and never finish out a season better than us, but other than being UK’s “little brother” best of luck.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:22 am
He coaches Louisville, hence I hate him. Santa Claus could coach those tards and I would hate him too. Hell, the doctor that saved my life once could coach Louisville, and yep, I would hate him too.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:24 am
In my mind, I agree with Jerry. I will always love Pitino for what he did to bring UK back. Great NCAA run and one player from 3 straight NC’s!! Being from the Boston area, took the job for the money and part ownership of the only NBA program that may even exceed our legacy. OK, he made a crappy choice in taking the UL job, but that made his college recruiting area more familiar than going to Michigan or UNLV. He was one of the best bench coaches around…maybe not any more. Coaches rarely stay in one place for 40 years any more. Give him a break and wish him well, except when UL plays UK. Go ‘cats!!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:27 am
There are those out there who will love and support Ricky because of what he did at UK and I understand that, but I doubt any of those people were little kids growing up in the Louisville area. Pitino was my hero and it broke my heart as a child to see him go and then later when he came vowing to rebuild that horrible UL program. Rupp was offered jobs at other SEC schools and turned them all down sighting that he could never do anything to hurt the program he loved. Pitino loves himself and that’s it. You can argue this either way, but this is why I hate!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:29 am
74) OK maybe Bottom Feeder was a little harsh. They did knock off the top seed that year to reach the FF. He has also excelled many times when people doubted him in the Big East as well. But I just don’t see him racking up another FF and especially a NT at UL in his tenure.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:39 am
Pitino had a good run at Kentucky – tanked in Boston – some good, some bad in Louisville -[Loved the results]. The eason I didn’t care for HIM at UK – everything was about HIM – not UK – it was RICK PITINO and the KY Wildcats vs the KENTUCKY WILDCATS coached by Rick Pitino.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:40 am
Let’s use a hypothetical that is similar and see if we feel the same way.
Say you’re dating a girl, we’ll call her Nicki P. Things are going amazingly well. The relationship has you both in a place that you didn’t think was possible just a few years earlier. Nicki P has mentioned on several occasions this one guy that she had a crush on before, but promises you she’s happy. You don’t let it bother you, but it’s still in the back of your mind. Then all of a sudden that former crush becomes available, she see dollar signs and dumps you for him. You’re really upset, but you start dating someone else soon after that makes you pretty happy. Eventually things between Nicki and that guy don’t work out. You tell people you knew it was going to happen. You then learn that Nicki P is moving back to the area, which surprises you because people said she never really liked this place all that much. Then you find out Nicki P is moving back because she is dating someone you’ve disliked your entire life. Someone she knew you hated. Someone Nicki made fun of before and told you and others she really didn’t like. Not only does she start dating this d-bag, but she starts telling everyone how great he is and how happy this relationship is making her. She becomes unbearable. She also tells everyone how she is now in the best relationship ever and has found the perfect person.
If that happened, I would really dislike Nicki P…a lot.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:42 am
86) Fair enough.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:42 am
I used to think that he loved KY and regretted leaving, and since he could’nt come back to KY he chose ….. oh, well I will always be glad for what he did for us. I never thought it would be as good, but Cal has made it even better!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:43 am
Solid post awesometron!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Pitino is not welcome on Snow Creek! Thankful for what he did while here and would have cheered for his teams at Michigan or UCLA or anywhere except Louisville. His enormous ego thought we would be ok with his betrayal but he was WAY wrong!!
May 9th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Jerry is a bigger Pitino fan than he is a UK basketball fan. As a result, it’s understandable that he feels the way he does. I don’t suffer fools well.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:47 am
88) Real life relationships vs. a college sport. Even in the hypothetical sense, its not a fair comparison.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:53 am
BTI it’s easy to say that 75% of the commenters agree with Jerry when you delete comments that disagree….. All I said was:
Jerry = BTI
Pitino is a backstabbin, baby killin, egg-suckin, dog. (period)
May 9th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Hey, it’s simple. You hate the coach of your rival. If he used to be your coach, so much the better.
Pitino… I hate you…. nothing personal, just business. I hate you. God Bless.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:57 am
I cheer against Louisville every game they play. Rick Pitino is Louisville’s coach. Thus, I cheer against Rick Pitino. See how those proofs I learned in high school worked out? When he leaves Louisville, I’ll reconsider.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:58 am
College sports is about rivalries; I never disliked Pitino while he was at Boston, even pulled for them when he brought in different UK players there. But when he decided to coach @ UofL, I was pretty much done w/ him at that point. If he had gone to Mich, or some other school that is not a rival of UK, I would have been fine with it.
I’d feel the same way if he had taken another SEC job. Mich, UNLV, no problem. He’s free to take any job he wants – and I’m free to dislike him now…and don’t tell me I shouldn’t care that he’s coach @ UofL; people who say that don’t really get college sports – its all about rivalries…
May 9th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Thank you, KSR, for posting this.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Look, Rick has an ego like none other. He wants his name in lights, period. Going to Louisville was unquestionably the best way to achieve that. I appreciate what he did for the program. We would have come back, but it wuold have taken longer with someone else. His energy/passion/salesmanship (hey, sounds like our current coach?) were unequaled at that time. Not to mention his (then) unique style of play. I look back with fond memories of those years, but Pitino is close to becoming what his predecessor at Louisville was at the end… irrelevant.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
I think Pitino,the coach,is as good as it gets. I think Pitino, the person, takes egotistical and being untrustworthy to the highest level. The affair and the abortion matter did not change my opinion of him but rather, solidified the opinion I already held.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Again- UofL in basketball, or their coach, worries me very little. I rarely think twice about them. I don’t understand the HATE with UofL basketball. I choose not to give them the satisfaction of a second thought. There are bigger fish to fry in basketball. The only people who think UofL is relevant in basketball are their bandwagon fans and those of us who “HATE” them. Football is a different story- IMO they will become a threat to us and that win is majorly needed if we want to go to a bowl game. If Pitino wants to slum it at UofL so be it. His tenure at UK was amazing and a big reason why I went to UK, his tenure there at UofL HAS to be a major disapointment to UofL fans. As a coach, I am ambivalent towards him, as a man I am dissapointed.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
94) BTI, I’ll assume you mean “real life relationships” (compared to fake life relationships?) in a love/dating/marriage way. You don’t really give any indication why or how you came to the conclusion that they aren’t fair. Giving me nothing to work with, I’ll change the hypothetical to better fit within what you have deemed fair and not fair.
In the new hypothetical Nicki P is not a girlfriend, but rather a business partner or an employee. Same facts as above, but replace any dating relationship specific facts with those of a business relationship. Even better, lets change the business relationship to that of a sports blog! If the scenario played out the same way, I would venture to say that most people would be upset at that person for the decisions they made.
If that hypothetical was also unfair because it dealt with “real life relationships”…substitute bears for the people.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
“for all that he did for the UK program”—-Do you people actually believe this crap? Last time I checked the legacy of Kentucky basketball was already well established with six national titles before this joker ever showed up.
Yeah he won a national title but he also basically lied to those of you that believe he was doing things right when he refused to play Derek Anderson in the ’97 championship game after he’d been cleared by the teams doctor as well as his own. Why? Because he was mad. He didn’t get the lifetime contract he asked the UK brass for so he stuck it to us as a whole.
Then recommended Tubby Smith as his replacement..you know the guy that inherited an elite program and damn near drove it off the cliff with his refusal to recruit elite players….players that he didn’t have a problem with recruiting once he left for Minnesota with his pockets full of loot.
Pitino also brought you 13 years of not making a final four while teams like Tennessee, Florida, Louisville, UNC, and Duke had been cleaning up on those elite kids every year until Calipari arrived. And let’s not forget the little “digs” he’s gotten in since he’s been at UL either.
Like making sure that UK didn’t have the opportunity to schedule games for the UK fans in the Louisville area at Freedom Hall when UL was still using it as their homecourt. Pushing for the hire of Pelphry and Ford to replace Gillispie or his general distaste for the UK fanbase as a whole outside of Lexington.
And finally what has he ever done for the communities he’s lived in? Bravo Pitino’s? Or his horse farm? Maybe his ownership in the dunkin donut chain in Louisville has contributed I don’t know….but I do know I’ve never seen him take any of his teams and have the players washing little kids feet and putting shoes on them like Calipari did last season in Detroit. And I’ve never seen Pitino lead anything in the way of an auction to provide relief for natural disaster victims or attempt to use his millions in anyway to help others. Much less donate millions of his own money to a ministry program to help inner city kids learn how to read. Or jump a jet out of state to go console some terminally ill kid or elderly person that he didn’t know.
Maybe he’s not as bad a person as I think he is but he’s definitely not as great as some of you seem to think either.
May 9th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
His time here was a thrill-ride. Every year was exciting, individual games were exciting. It was awesome. I was off the Tubby bandwagon earlier than most, not because he wasn’t winning enough, but because he was taking that away from me, and I saw no signs of it coming back.
That said, why should I give a good sh** about Pitino’s business interests? Why should I care one iota about him, and regard him as anything other than a rival?
He made a short-sighted decision when he accepted the Louisville job. That was his choice, and it’s not my job to appreciate that choice simply because it was the best short-term business decision. The “pure self-interest” principle has run amok in society as a whole, and Pitino is a classic example. I could accept him leaving for Boston, no problem- more money, a chance to run the most storied franchise in all of basketball. But taking the Louisville job? He had all kinds of options, including waiting around for the UK job to open back up. He couldn’t do that, because he was blinded by ego, and needed to wash the bad taste out his mouth from the Boston failure. Too bad, but if he shows so little regard for UK in his thought process, why in God’s name would I ever owe him any loyalty beyond appreciating 8 great years?
May 9th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
I will hate Pitino from now util he leaves UofL and possibly even after that.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Sums up why the rest of the country think of UK fans as dumb rednecks
May 9th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Damn…. Pitino points with three fingers!
May 9th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
107. You sure it’s not your grammar and punctuation… or lack thereof?
May 9th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
#13…Ediie Sutton? Really?
May 9th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Anyone who would leave Dan Issel off of any list of top Kentucky Player should not be writing for KSR. I really didn’t read this article but when I saw your name I knew it wasn’t worth reading.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
If you are not with us you are against us. But I love the fact that he wears the 96 championship ring during tournament games, and the fact that he will never win another championship…especially with bushleague talent that goes to Loserville.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
If Jerry is so short-sighted that he can’t understand why a UK fan would feel betrayed by Rick coaching Louisville, no amount of reader comments will make him see. “he had no Kentucky ties before…” Well he did after he left eh? You don’t date your best friend’s ex, and you don’t coach your old school’s rival.
Jerry’s one of those lukewarm fans who clearly doesn’t have any passion for UK (probably a UL fan). He wants to take all the ethical consequences out of the equation and boil it down to money. Pitino to UL is the equivalent of Coach K to UNC, or Benedict Arnold to the Redcoats.
I didn’t like Denny Crum for being the coach of UL. I loathe Rick Pitino for being my coach, and then coaching my rival.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Who cares?? Rick Pitino is a punchline nowadays. KSR’s hatred for all things UofL is getting borderline ridiculous. The Cards do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as us. Never have been on our level and never will be.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Despite the thrill ride Pitino gave UK, in the end it has always been about him. He must be an insecure little guy to have an ego that insatiable. He lived by the sword and he died by it. RIP.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
I so agree with #105. I guess the scary thing is if Pitino would have gone elsewhere, i.e. Michigan or UNLV. There is a very real possiblity that he would have been Tubby’s replacement. That is tough to enivison now but, you would be hard pressed to tell me that would not have been the case.
I do agree it was all about ego. Think of the windfall of money Pitino had after Boston let him go. It was an astounding amount of money. You would think that he would at least sit out a while and then make a decision. I think somewhere in Pitino’s head he really thought “UK fans love me, I am the only person that can pull this UofL thing off”. I think that theme(I am the only person that call pull this off) has haunted him since he left UK.
Think how the Tim Duncan draft haunts Pitino? Think of his legacy if Boston gets Duncan and goes on to win NBA titles? Think then how beloved he would be at UK if that happened?
It is evident that Pitino is a shadow of his former self in so many ways. In reality his overinflated ego cost him dearly..in his professional and personal life. When he speaks, at times he still speaks like he is the old Rick but, so many people (especially UK fans and a contingent of U of L fans) are sick of his games that used to work for him. Like “This is the best recruiting staff EVER”, “Best team I have EVER coached”, and “The BEST game I have ever been a part of” and my personal favorite, “Mike Marra is the BEST high school shooter I have ever seen”.
In the end he is a Hall of Fame coach but, really a garden variety Hall of Famer. The “what could of been” Boston failure and Karen S. failure will always be part of his legacy. That I can tell you makes Rick Pitino lose sleep at night.
As a UK fan I say, thanks but NO THANKS! Rick you should not have gooe to the Dirty Birds. Once that happened you were dead to me (not realistically but, in Big Blue Nation sense).
Go Cats!
May 9th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I think it is a testament to the state of Kentucky that Pitino chose to take a job in the commonwealth. If he didn’t like the state and the people he would not have chosen to return. I agree that it was also a good business decision on his part.
May 9th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I don’t hate Pitino. The 96 Championship team is my favorite all time. He did a masterful job getting that team to campus and playing as a unit (heck any team with Antoine Walker and teamwork usually don’t go together). Should have won it in 97. His ego took the money over wanting to stay and build upon his dynasty at UK. It’s that simple. He’s not even in the same arena as Coach Hall in my book. BUT I don’t hate him as those early to mid’90′s teams were awesome!
May 9th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
My hatred for Pitino began as a genuine lack of respect. During the time he was at UK, he preached team and unity and sacrifice to his players, then he makes the money grab with Boston. I understood that even though it flew in the face of everything he preached during his tenure in Lexington. After that abject failure, he still could have returned to college at any number of schools but he chose Louisville. Whatever his reasons for signing on with Louisville, he began his time there with douchebaggery (walking out of the home tunnel at Rupp) and followed that up with jibs and jabs over the next few years. With each of his petty little spectacles, my dislike grew. He has proven over and over again that it has nothing to do with passion or heart – with him it’s all about the pocketbook. Now I wouldn’t take a leak on him if he was on fire.
May 9th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
even during his UK years, I for one was tired of the University of Pitino. He pulled the same shenanigans at Louisville. Since when should the coach be bigger than the university? The winning was great- the ego was not
May 9th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
P.S. I truly believe that he took the job in Louisville because he knew Joanne would never come back to Kentucky. Much easier and cheaper than a divorce attorney. She can do her thing in NYC or Boston or wherever and he can do his thing here and they see each other on holidays, graduations and the occasional court summons.
May 9th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
RP was great when he was at UK. But the attitude we must have is UK is bigger than any coach, AD, team and any other school. It’s our identity to be the best.
So Rick being hired at UK was the best thing for him and a was a great thing for us. But he is now just a piece of our history. I’m not obligated to like him or support him. I can look back and feel good about our success with him as coach. But I don’t think he is a good person per say. I don’t think he is a great coach necessarily either.
He made a big mistake taking the UL job if he wanted to be liked by UK fans forever. I don’t think he cares though. Personally I don’t care either.
May 9th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
110. (righton) Yeah Eddie Sutton. That’s what I wrote and I stand by that. If you where alive then or can remember what happened Sutton was pretty much setup. And again he had his faults that he admitted too like alcoholism and not having control over the program and it’s boosters the way he should’ve. But this is also the man that said he would’ve crawled from Little Rock to take the Kentucky job and let’s not forget how much talent that Eddie was acquiring at that time too. He was recruiting coast to coast then like Pitino did later on in the 90′s and Calipari is doing now.
Now think back to those probation years. What the NCAA handed down. They banned UK from tournament play and from live television broadcasts. The only thing worse they could’ve done was given UK the death penalty and stopped them from playing all together for two years.
Two years is a small price to pay when you consider how far the Kentucky program slipped as a direct result of Pitinos influence during Tubby’s tenure as well as Gillispies. Wouldn’t you trade two years for eleven?
And that’s not even mentioning the fact that the man could actually coach the game of basketball and would’ve coached circles around Pitino and Tubby put together. Or the fact that he stepped down. Nobody made him. He begged and pleaded with the NCAA to lessen its sanctions on UK for the fans sake and even gave up his dream job to that end. Would you have done that? Considering there is no indisputable proof that he actually did anything wrong? Even Casey won a multi million dollar lawsuit or rather settled out of court over that deal for his alledged involvement.
And there’s all sorts of ways to play players and their families legally without stuffing twenty fifty dollar bills in an envelope. Take Larry Orton for an example of that when he gave those speeches two summers ago and was getting $1800-$2000 a pop during summer camps all over the Country.
So yeah i’d take a man that loved the school, his team, and it’s fans that made a mistake anyday of the week over a POS like Pitino that only cares about himself and tried and is still trying to this day to stick it to the school, our current coach and the fans at every opportunity.
For example him and his bestest closest buddy Pat Forde that keeps writing crap. And his buddy Pete Thamel.
May 9th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I do not and never have hated Rick Pitino. In fact I was a big fan when he was at UK and he did great things for the program.
May 9th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
I love how people (on both sides of this issue) claim that anyone who does not share the same beliefs they do are not true fans.
May 9th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
What Pitino did for UK doesn’t excuse his decisions and behavior after UK. We expect ex-players and coaches to carry themselves in a manner that doesn’t tarnish the Kentucky name. We know that a few ex-players will not. These guys aren’t saints but you would expect it from the very few coaches that pass through the program. BCG knows first hand that his behavior wasn’t tolerated here. UL as we know has very different standards and as long as you’re winning you’ll be forgiven.
I had no issues with Pitino going to Boston. But he learned the hard way that he’s not bigger than the program when he couldn’t win in Boston and his ego wasn’t tolerated. UL fans might eat it up but not at UK or Boston. Also, Pitino was going to take the Michigan job but Joanne convinced him to not care what UK fans would think and take the UL job. Those are Pitino’s own words. So it’s just as much her fault he’s at UL. I’m just glad he embarrassed himself while at UL rather than at UK. I believe this is where most fans have a problem with Pitino these days. I would say that most fans probably don’t hate Pitino but rather have no respect for the man that brought us #6.
May 9th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Some people can say its about abortion there Jerry, because they believe its wrong along with adultery. That said I will hate whoever coaches Louisville, period. Name someone I’m not directly related to and I would hate them. Pitino can say whatever he wants, but he went to Louisville because of his enormous ego. Just like he paid for a woman to have an abortion and thought nobody would know, because of his ego. UK wouldve won its 6th title without him, he wouldnt have won ANYTHING without UK…..hes a douche.
May 9th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Coach Pitino left Lexington because he likes to be the rebuilder of programs. He was starting to feel the pressure of being the top program and I believe that was the main reason he left. Remember to that his wife wanted to be closer to home and she hated Lexington. He took the Louisville job because of his love for horses and because Louisville was a rebuilding job.
May 9th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
AMEN!!!. I could not agree more with Jerry and thank you. I too will always be a Pitino fan and a UK fan.
May 9th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Ok Rick, quit posing as Jerry from Bardstown, it won’t work.
May 9th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
1989 was some dark days for UK basketball. Ky NEEDED Pitino, and he was the hottest coach then. I’ll always be thankfull he rebuilt UK. I think he came to UL because he knows how rabid the fans are about basketball in Ky (second best place to be).
May 9th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
#29-Great post…AMEN!
May 9th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
glad pitino left, should have played derrick anderson vs. arizona, anderson was cleared by every dr. on the planet. thats why i dislike the egotist s.o.b….. the program, and especially our program is bigger than any one person. pitino didnt build uk, but he thought he did.
May 9th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Hey Guys; Live in the present, look to the future and forget the past.
May 9th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Here’s why Jerry is sooo wrong.
Coaching at Kentucky is like dating a supermodel. But, when your high school sweetheart pops back up (and you’ve kind of lost your perspective that you’re dating a supermodel) – well, off you go to Boston.
You’re in Boston and things are OK, but pretty soon reality sets in and you realize that your high school sweetheart ain’t a supermodel and in fact can be a ball busting, unforgiving, witch – so you say “adios” and figure…. “supermodel once, supermodel again”.
The problem is all the other supermodels look at you and go, “He dumped one of us for his ugly high school sweetheart? No way!” So you’re left with some frumps.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
One of the frumps is your old supermodel girlfriend’s fugly little sister. Oh, she’s not bad, she cleans up OK, and she even had a few photo shoots of her own a few years back – she once even made the cover of “Cards and Crumbs” glamor magazine. But when you turn up the lights at the end of the night, she kind of looks like she’s about 10 years older than she is, is still wearing the same clothes from 20 years ago, and will go 15 seconds with just about anybody in a restaurant booth who even so much as looks her way. It’s tainted skank stuff.
So, out of desperation to get back close to your ex-supermodel girlfriend, you shack up with the fugly little sister and then you totally lose your mind.
You start saying that she’s prettier than your old supermodel girlfriend. You start talking about the photospreads she’s going to get. You start talking about how she’s made you happier than you were with the supermodel. You cart her off to some Big East modeling agency of mostly has beens and never wases – and when she gets a cover shoot on “Birds and the Beast” – you act like she just won Miss Universe. When the reality is the most photo action she’s getting is from the personal ads section of Craigslist.
And worst of all, you seriously expect everyone to actually believe that what you say is true? That’s a freakin’ insult to supermodels EVERYWHERE, and certainly an insult to your ex-supermodel girlfriend.
At the end of the day, only someone with no self-respect, and low moral character, can be so shameless as to declare the frumpy sister a supermodel.