Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
It hasn't exactly been a banner calendar year for Rick Pitino, with the Karen Sypher affair situation, the Louisville Cardinals' struggles this year and the rebirth of Louisville's rival, Kentucky. Therefore, if there was any time for Pitino to jump ship into a new challenge, it would be now.
But really, Rick, the Nets? The same Nets that had maybe 20 fans at their last game? That's what the New York Daily News' Mitch Lawrence is reporting.
Sources close to Pitino said that the Louisville coach has reached out to Nets brass in recent days, making himself a candidate for the job now held by GM and interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe, and due to open after their woeful season is completed in April.
According to sources, Pitino had intermediaries recently contact Nets president Rod Thorn on his behalf. Thorn himself is in the final year of a contract, and is looking to get a new deal from incoming owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
The Nets are denying interest in Pitino, saying they have a short list of candidates that includes TV broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy, and Pitino isn't on it. SB Nation's Louisville blog Card Chronicle writes this rumor "doesn't warrant extended attention," so we'll let it go for now.
But seriously Rick, the Nets? He must really want to coach Terrence Williams again.
UPDATE: Pitino tells ESPN that there's no truth to the rumor and that he's "done coaching professional basketball."
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Pitino is yesterday's news.
If I were him I would look for a good secure position in a decent school and retire there. The pro and big time college game has passed him by.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Feb 11, 2010 1:40 PM EST reply actions
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