Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Rick Pitino is a public relations mastermind. Clearly, he's operating on a level that we can't begin to comprehend. That's the only possible explanation I've got for what I just watched from Pitino. Today's impromptu news conference was some combination of defiant, angry and bizarre.
This whole thing starts with a whole "shame on you, media" bit from Pitino:
But I don't understand is why you keep fostering this behavior on a day where Ted Kennedy died, we broke in the news here in Louisville we broke in with Karen Sypher's audio and the tapes and detectives. That's pretty sad commentary on us.
OK ... except the tapes were just released. The only comments to this point were from the New York Post interview. Furthermore, if I'm Pitino, I might even be a little relieved, because Part 4 of those tapes released today features Metro Police basically telling Karen Sypher why they aren't going forward with this.
Also, did he just drop Ted Kennedy? Talk about a great non sequitur. That's kind of like Walter Sobchak comparing everything to Vietnam in The Big Lebowski.
But anyway, he moved on to rally his base at Louisville:
We need to get on with the important things in life like the economy and really some crucial things in life like basketball [Ed. note: Joking about hoops, obviously.]. I'm asking any university fans that, if you put this on the news anymore, if you're just fans of anything we've accomplished that's good, just change the channel. If the newspapers want to write it, just read something else.
And then ... well, I'm not sure what the hell he meant by this:
All I did was stand up to a long laundry list of people who passed away today who couldn't stand up because what was done was wrong.
What's he saying here? He's standing up to dead people? Is he saying Karen Sypher killed Ted Kennedy? Finally, after going all Sarah Palin on us with that gem, he gave us a walk-off quote.
The FBI and the US Attorney's office don't go after jaywalkers.
BOOM! Roasted.
So yeah, this bizarre and completely unnecessary presser will certainly go a long way toward Rick Pitino's goal of not having anyone talk about this today or again any time soon.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Reporters look in to Pitino’s eyes…keep looking…..your getting sleeper and sleeper. Listen to his voice…you reporters don’t know what you’re doing….you reporters are spreading all these lies…it’s all these reporters faults…..I am still king in KY….I am still king in KY…..9-11….9-11…Kennedy is dead….Kennedy is dead…you reporters don’t know how to do your job….I know everything…I know how to do your jobs better….I did not get hair plugs…I did not get hair plugs
by rcobb on Aug 27, 2009 6:51 AM EDT reply actions
So many openings to attack Pitino here. First of all, he is a big-time Republican, so I am not so sure why he is harping on Kennedy’s death. Second, he talks about how people are making such a big deal about basketball and it is only a silly game. Uhh, that silly game is responsible for you being the wealthiest man in your state.
by zen_marley on Aug 27, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions
Any article that references The Big Lebowski gets two thumbs up from me! I wish I had more thumbs for it being a Walter Sobchak reference!
by mcglocklin on Aug 27, 2009 8:12 AM EDT reply actions
Pitino committed the ultimate sin; he criticized the media.
by RamblinWreck007 on Aug 27, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions
Pitino is a Democrat.
I don’t blame Pitino for coming out and defending himself, but he probably should have just stopped there. No need to criticize the media, particularly the local media, which has been pretty favorable to him. I guess he thought, "Well, they’re going to be showing these tapes, so it’s probably a good idea that I hold a presser to refute everything." It worked in the sense that the tapes are being followed up by his press conference, but the rambling was a little unnecessary.
by thespottedbass on Aug 27, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
Hey, I’ve got an idea for Mr. Pitino – "Avoid all this unpleasantness by avoiding having sex with someone who is not your wife." Unfortunately, being faithful is not a strong media topic, but then you won’t have to accuse everyone else of being against you! Admit it Rick – Who started this? You!!
by haoles on Aug 27, 2009 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
Rick Pitino hould have SHUT UP after his first press conference. He should have focused on mending the hurt feeling of his family and trying to restore his credibility. People make mistakes. Rick Pitino is not the first well known person to slip up in this manner. Of course, many questions remain…like: so, how did you manage to boff this girl in the resturaunt? I mean, exactly hiow big was the tip you gave your waiter to NOT refill your sweet tea while you were making your little "mistake"? And….how do you manage to be having dinner and skip right to desert, with someone that apparently is crazy?
Or…How did you keep this nutcake quiet for six years? And why is she coming after you now,? has the $3000 run out?
And, finally…hey coach, just wanted to know who the new sponsors for Louisville basketball wil be now…..Trojans? "now available in fine dining places everywhere!", Or…Eat at Moes….where it is so private, you could have your way with someone on our tables!
Anyway, my advice to you, Rick Pitino – is to ask or forgiveness, and then SHUT UP!
by KennyRay on Aug 30, 2009 2:01 AM EDT reply actions
zen_marley,
Republicans feel sympathy toward Democrats when they pass away. Come one now.
ALABAMA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
JOE HORN MOWING INC. (PARAGOULD, AR)
by x-pert on Aug 30, 2009 11:07 AM EDT reply actions
Rick Pitino is a good high level basketball coach, nothing more, nothing less…That’s why he’s running the Cardinal’s basketball program…what else he says on any other matter isn’t noteworthy at all. We expect him to coach basketball and, to me, that’s it. What he does otherwise, short of killing somebody, is of no concern to me. Besides, what really is important is what’s going on at UK, not UL.
by royfelty on Aug 31, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions
It is YOU who don’t get it. Nobody’s SEX LIVES are anybody else’s business.The only thing an athlete, entertainer or politician is liable for or accountable to is their JOB performance.The religious right and career minded media tried to make infidelity the demise of Clinton, the American people, flush with cash and secure with peace and decency in Goverment, yawned.The only people who legitimately DO warrant abuse are those, like Larry Craig and Mark Sanford, who make their careers about making moral judgements of OTHER PEOPLES lifestyles and then prove their own hypocrisy.**** who you want, when you want, but do your J-O-B.
by vagabondguru on Sep 1, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions
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