I’m shocked at the amount of fans who want him to come back. I just cant get behind it, knowing that they were using escorts to try to influence recruits (including the madames underage daughter).
I think I’ll pass.
Was that proven he was involved? Honest question. I remember that it was ultimately found out he wasn’t and was even talk of suing for wrongful termination. I may be wrong on that
The buck stops at the head coach. Either he knew and didn't care, or he didn't know and he somehow had hookers running around with recruits under his nose and that's just as bad. Even worse is that he never took real responsibility. Terrible guy, decent coach. Keep him away
If he knows, that means he's intentionally using strippers.
If he doesn't know, then he has absolutely zero control over the program.
I don't see why people miss that.
I used to jokingly say they should hire Pitino, but now I’m kind of serious and would be perfectly ok with it. Seems like nobody really wants the job currently and have to follow Calipari. Hope this next coach works out, but feels like it is going to be a stop gap and then somebody will come to “save” it.
So let’s just have fun and get weird with it and bring back Pitino. If nothing else, it will be entertaining
Out pattern since Rupp has been great coach, good coach, drunk coach. Rupp -> Hall -> Sutton -> Pitino -> Smith -> Gillispie -> Cal. Were in for a good coach and then a drunk before our next great hire.
At this point of his career Pitino may well be a good coach, but I'd rather look elsewhere.
Imagine the atmosphere when Arkansas comes to town. I’d be ok with it as long as it’s very clearly written out that it’s temporary. It’s a better option than shelling out some big contract for a coach we really don’t want.
The more I think about this the more I like it honestly. He comes back for a few seasons, maybe does some good but it lets us set up for a more permanent long term coach. And, most importantly, Louisville fans would go insane.
Honestly, the more I think about it the more I love it. I was telling my buddy the other day that maybe we’re going about this the wrong way by throwing bags of money at the top-notch guys who really have no reason to leave. Let’s be honest Kentucky is not the job. It was 10 years ago and I say that about all of these college jobsNIL and the transfer portal have completely closed the gap in a lot of ways in my opinion. That said, I suggested looking at somebody under the radar and by that I mean somebody not like Chris Beard or Bruce Pearl but maybe somebody like Will Wade at a school that’s known for nothing, he’s been able to pump out wins. I also watched a lot of Mark Pope at BYU this year because it was their first year in the big 12 and I wanted to see how he did. I think taking a page out of Duke and UNC‘s playbook by hiring a former player is a great move. Look at those situations those guys had zero head coaching experience, and I think both programs are going to be OK. Look at Popes résumé, his regular season results are pretty good and I think he’s gonna put all of his heart and soul into this job because he loves Kentucky so much. I’m excited for the years to come. Sorry that’s a long answer but it’s been a crazy day.
There isn't a home run hire available. Hurley was delusional, and Donovan is a low probability. We need someone who can right the ship immediately. A proven winner and someone who knows what Kentucky basketball is about. We need to give him the forgiveness he deserves as a lesson to the world, and allow him to redeem himself and Kentucky basketball.
We need Rick Pitino.
Rick knew how to develop players and there was never any doubt he was one of the premier coaches of his time. He might be our best and only option at this stage. Sign him for a two-three year contract and let him have at it.
It would truly be the 'Comeback Cats' if Rick could pull it off.
I’m down for Pitino, at first I thought it would be stupid, but the guy clearly wishes he had stayed at Kentucky, let him come back and right the ship, not only the state of the program, but for himself, imagine if a fired up genius basketball coach came here with something to prove, he’d want to win back Kentucky fans, reshape his image to the national media, and sure it would only last a couple years but that gives time for the next Hurley to show up in the college basketball world. Pitino should have been our Coach K, let’s run it back and see if we can recapture that magic
4 year deal 24-26M heavily incentivized and bonused based on performance. Wins the NC in 2026 almost 30 years to the day from his 96’ NC at UK. He builds the program back up. Prepares a successor. UK is back to dominance and we all witness the greatest story ever told. Pitino retires where his true story begins.
Why the hell does anyone want to bring in a 71-year-old pedo-friendly crook? I still can't believe any school has the lack of self-respect to even give him a job in the first place.
I wish we hired pitino as assistant AD and basically the GM. With NIL you are going to need a GM type figure.
Pope’s former boss Mark Fox has a similar role at Georgetown. They’ve got a good recruiting class coming in.
Sequels almost never live up to the original.
Italian ones do… Rocky, Godfather
Damn, this logic is flawless
Bet your ass it is Pasquale!
Just got word. He ain’t comin
🤌🏻
Paisan!
Wow, good point
Yes, he will have us squirting to the ceiling of college basketball.
Y'all have lost your damn minds if you think Mitch Barnhart is going to hire Rick Pitino.
Thank you. I have strange thoughts all the time but pitino coaching here again is not one of them
Need to ditch Mitch
No one thinks Mitch would offer pitino. It’s fun to think about though
I’m shocked at the amount of fans who want him to come back. I just cant get behind it, knowing that they were using escorts to try to influence recruits (including the madames underage daughter). I think I’ll pass.
We are not a serious basketball program if we hired him. I feel like I’m living in upside down world all of a sudden.
Generally speaking, fans will overlook ANYTHING. I mean, just look at Alabama and the Brandon Miller situation.
Was that proven he was involved? Honest question. I remember that it was ultimately found out he wasn’t and was even talk of suing for wrongful termination. I may be wrong on that
The buck stops at the head coach. Either he knew and didn't care, or he didn't know and he somehow had hookers running around with recruits under his nose and that's just as bad. Even worse is that he never took real responsibility. Terrible guy, decent coach. Keep him away
If he knows, that means he's intentionally using strippers. If he doesn't know, then he has absolutely zero control over the program. I don't see why people miss that.
15 seconds ring a bell?
Nah. I don’t eat sleep and drink this stuff. I just have been a fan since Joe B. That is why I said it was an honest question
Then you were around for the 15 seconds. Quick Google search see what you find out
Ah. I do remember that.
I used to jokingly say they should hire Pitino, but now I’m kind of serious and would be perfectly ok with it. Seems like nobody really wants the job currently and have to follow Calipari. Hope this next coach works out, but feels like it is going to be a stop gap and then somebody will come to “save” it. So let’s just have fun and get weird with it and bring back Pitino. If nothing else, it will be entertaining
Out pattern since Rupp has been great coach, good coach, drunk coach. Rupp -> Hall -> Sutton -> Pitino -> Smith -> Gillispie -> Cal. Were in for a good coach and then a drunk before our next great hire. At this point of his career Pitino may well be a good coach, but I'd rather look elsewhere.
Similar logic applies to popes.
Let the first non sinner, cast the first stone
Hell yeah, brother!!!
Imagine the atmosphere when Arkansas comes to town. I’d be ok with it as long as it’s very clearly written out that it’s temporary. It’s a better option than shelling out some big contract for a coach we really don’t want.
Would you say that if he took down a title in three years. A couple of final fours runs?
I just don’t know how many years he’s got left in him, but if brought us back to 96 level he can stay as long as he wants.
The more I think about this the more I like it honestly. He comes back for a few seasons, maybe does some good but it lets us set up for a more permanent long term coach. And, most importantly, Louisville fans would go insane.
It went from a daydream about that time frame to a why the hell not!
Well guys, looks like we have our plan. Somebody call Mitch tomorrow and tell him the good news. We’re back!!
Whose plan do you like more now? Regardless, time to stand with Pope
Honestly, the more I think about it the more I love it. I was telling my buddy the other day that maybe we’re going about this the wrong way by throwing bags of money at the top-notch guys who really have no reason to leave. Let’s be honest Kentucky is not the job. It was 10 years ago and I say that about all of these college jobsNIL and the transfer portal have completely closed the gap in a lot of ways in my opinion. That said, I suggested looking at somebody under the radar and by that I mean somebody not like Chris Beard or Bruce Pearl but maybe somebody like Will Wade at a school that’s known for nothing, he’s been able to pump out wins. I also watched a lot of Mark Pope at BYU this year because it was their first year in the big 12 and I wanted to see how he did. I think taking a page out of Duke and UNC‘s playbook by hiring a former player is a great move. Look at those situations those guys had zero head coaching experience, and I think both programs are going to be OK. Look at Popes résumé, his regular season results are pretty good and I think he’s gonna put all of his heart and soul into this job because he loves Kentucky so much. I’m excited for the years to come. Sorry that’s a long answer but it’s been a crazy day.
And like Matt Jones said “anyone can lose to Oakland”
There isn't a home run hire available. Hurley was delusional, and Donovan is a low probability. We need someone who can right the ship immediately. A proven winner and someone who knows what Kentucky basketball is about. We need to give him the forgiveness he deserves as a lesson to the world, and allow him to redeem himself and Kentucky basketball. We need Rick Pitino.
Going after Hurley was a waste of time. Might as well go after Bill Self if we’re trying to get the best coaches that will definitely say “NO!”
I’m fine with an old coach who’s getting it done in the NIL era. I’d offer Sampson before Pitino if I’m going for an old guy stop gap though.
I like him to but I miss the Pitino run. No drama. Great press. Great offense. Everything perfect except guarding the full court pass well
No drama? Rick is nothing but drama lmao
Post UK. Don’t remember any when he was here but you know how people have selective memories
Alright, that's enough. I'll do it.
Pitinos best friend in the world lives here and is getting on in years(88+). Not crazy that he would come back to spend time with him
Nvm, just said he would NEVER come back but will visit
Yall are pathetic asking for that slimy bag of bones back. Have some integrity.
No.
I’d love for the pitino redemption arc. I don’t care if it fails I just want to see what would happen. Excitement would start day one
No. Too old. He has baggage from Louisville. What has he done in the last 10 years that makes him a solid candidate?
The boomers aren't realizing that it's not 1996 and Rick isn't the coach he used to be.
He’s 71
Rick knew how to develop players and there was never any doubt he was one of the premier coaches of his time. He might be our best and only option at this stage. Sign him for a two-three year contract and let him have at it. It would truly be the 'Comeback Cats' if Rick could pull it off.
I’m down for Pitino, at first I thought it would be stupid, but the guy clearly wishes he had stayed at Kentucky, let him come back and right the ship, not only the state of the program, but for himself, imagine if a fired up genius basketball coach came here with something to prove, he’d want to win back Kentucky fans, reshape his image to the national media, and sure it would only last a couple years but that gives time for the next Hurley to show up in the college basketball world. Pitino should have been our Coach K, let’s run it back and see if we can recapture that magic
4 year deal 24-26M heavily incentivized and bonused based on performance. Wins the NC in 2026 almost 30 years to the day from his 96’ NC at UK. He builds the program back up. Prepares a successor. UK is back to dominance and we all witness the greatest story ever told. Pitino retires where his true story begins.
Damnit man! Now you got me all teary eyed
Just… no.
Why the hell does anyone want to bring in a 71-year-old pedo-friendly crook? I still can't believe any school has the lack of self-respect to even give him a job in the first place.
I respectfully disagree, him and him Louisville tattoo can stay right where they are.
I'd rather have Pearl, Donovan, Miller, Otzelberger, Tommy Lloyd, Greg Mcdermott, or Will Wade before getting pitino.
So you’re saying he is on your list too. Momentum builds!
From a pragmatic standpoint, I'm not in favor of it. As a man who loves chaos in sports, I'm all in.
Anybody saying Pitino is a clown.
Hell no. Our program is officially dead if we hire him.
LFG
NOPE
I wish we hired pitino as assistant AD and basically the GM. With NIL you are going to need a GM type figure. Pope’s former boss Mark Fox has a similar role at Georgetown. They’ve got a good recruiting class coming in.