Now that Tim Floyd’s devil-deal with O.J. Mayo has led him to the unemployment line, Southern Cal is in the job market for a new basketball coach.
Name to watch: Rick Pitino.
It’s already started this morning with buzz that the Louisville coach could be a candidate to rescue the fallen Trojans. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, but given the circumstances involved, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility.
Circumstances such as:
- There is the ugly Karen Sypher extortion trial on the horizon, which promises to divulge many ugly and embarrassing details if it makes its way into the courtroom. There is a line of thinking that Pitino would rather handle those headlines from afar rather than right there in the city of Louisville.
- There were rumors throughout last season that Rick was interested in the open Arizona job, which eventually went to Xavier coach Sean Miller. And that was before the Sypher story broke.
- After the Sypher story, Yahoo Sports reported that Pitino was interested in the Sacramento Kings’ NBA job. If it was there, that interest died quickly. But there were stories that Rick was very curious about what might happen in Atlanta before the Hawks won their first-round NBA playoff series.
- Then there is John Calipari’s noisy arrival at Kentucky. Once close, the two are no longer busom buddies, and Calipari has already accomplished an epic recruiting haul for next season.
- I, for one, have to think that Pitino’s attempt to bring former assistant and current Holy Cross head coach Ralph Willard back to his staff portends that Rick wants Ralph to be his successor at the ‘Ville.
- True, at Southern Cal, Pitino would have to play second-fiddle to Ben Howland and UCLA, plus coach in a town dominated by the Lakers. But then Rick didn’t have a problem going to Louisville, which outside of Jefferson County finds itself dwarfed by UK supporters.
- One thing that could keep Rick from traveling to the Left Coast: Southern Cal be headed for probation. Pitino already tackled the challenge of one program on probation (Kentucky) in his career. Would he really want to do that again?
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Add the point that Pitino prides himself on being a program builder, and you have a recipe screaming for him to hop on board. Providence, UK, and Louisville, all struggling programs when he got there, and all succeeded under him. There has been too much smoke about Pitino wanting to make a move, and the USC job could end up being the fire he is looking for.
With Floyd losing so many recruits and returning players since the allegations broke, USC is far beyond the mess that Pitino inherited when taking the UK job in 89. With all the talk that Pitino may be coming up on being past his prime, this could be the opportunity to show that he’s still got it.
Bryan you really think USC is beyond where UK was when Rick took the job? I have to believe that it can’t be worse than us, yet you may turn out to be correct. What Rick inherited was a group of guys that would do anything to win and played above their abilites, exhibiting the passion and heart that is UK basketball…still my favorite team of all time!
What a great point about bringing Willard to UofL! And, just may be Pitino feels like Kentucky is a “bit” crowded now that UK has hired John Calipari…why not get the heck out of Dodge??!!! Pitino has already sent his son packing to Florida to spare him of all his Dad’s legal junk. Timing couldn’t be better!!
could someone give me one example in pitino’s past that indicates he would rather run away from the challenge of calipari at uk than dig in his heels and compete?
and to those who think willard is being brought in as pitino’s hand picked replacement: rick pitino is not the ad, it’s not his decision.
Sure you got the right coach. The articles I read state that Southern Cal short list might include the likes of certain former Indiana coach (now ESPN broadcaster) and a certain now former UK coach. No mention of Pitino so far.
Is it me or is this becoming strange off season for college basketball.
I think the smoke comment is right. Rick is a travelin man, and a builder, and the grass is always greener…… besides, his son’s move to FL looks ominous. When Rick was in Lex every coaching vacancy in the country caused speculation (and horror)that we would lose our coach….. good luck Ricky, you’ll be successful wherever you are!
Although I do think Rick is looking for an out at Louisville, especially with the arrival of Calapari to UK.. I mean the local and national media has covered UK to the fullest whether it be from hauling the #1 recruiting class to attempting to dig up whatever dirt they can on Coacvh Cal’s recruiting practices. with no mention of UL since its departure in the Elite 8. The only real coverage they have gotten is with the whole Ralph Willard thing. I believe Rick is indeed looking for a new gig, just not the USC gig. Ralph Willard is being brought in to prepare him to be the leading candidate for the head coaching position at UL once vacated.
My thinking is Rick could p;robably kick his own ass for not taking the Arizona position. USC not a good fit for Rick.
ENVY OUR PAST FEAR OUR FUTURE
Pitino is going nowhere. He owns Calipari and will no way back down from that challenge. Just another rumor started to divert some attention away from Calipari and the Memphis situation. This is the first I’ve heard of the Pitino-USC rumors. Pitino had no interest whatsoever in going to UA or Sacramento. All rumors made up by the media just like this one.
Steve, Steve, Steve. Obviously you don’t know Rick and his ego very well. He is definitely gone, just a matter of when and where.
ENVY OUR PAST FEAR OUR FUTURE
I don’t think Pitino fears Cal. I’m not trying to build up UK in saying this. I just think Pitino will move on soon. Maybe not this year. But he won’t retire in Louisville. He says he has learned his lesson, but he could put down these rumors if they weren’t true.
Steve it’s just like at UK where he had actually accomplished something. Title, Runner-up, and a team built for another title run. Everyone said there was no chance he was leaving, yet the celtics called and he followed. I’m with most on this it is just a matter time when he leaves UL. Maybe it’s not this year, but I don’t give him but another season at UL.
Steve…
which is absolutely no small feat… so in saying all that. No one knows, simple as that. The whole Karen Sypher thing may be his undoing. I hate to see a great coach and someone I personally believe is great to the state and an absolute asset to college ball go down in flames over what may be brought to light…but such is the way of things I guess. Good luck Ricky P. Whatever happens…
To say that Pitino owns Cal is ludicrous at best… now then back to rational thought… Pitino is one of the best coaches and recruiters i have had the priveledge to witness in a long time. true he will be successful wherever he goes if and when he does depart. this is an interesting case though given the resume that pitino brings to the table in rebuilding a down program. Dont get me wrong we all know the man loves success but to be at the top of the ladder is not Pitino’s strong suit. The man is a carpenter he loves to build and mold and the USC job will fit that mold perfectly once the NCAA gets off their backsides to do something about it. However, on the flip side, how much longer will Pitino continue his coaching career. Some would say that he is past his prime but at the same time he has taken an “OK” UL team and turned them into a powerhouse in the Big East (bad as I hate that)
signed…
rational UK fan
A sure way to attract readers: Speculate on another Rick Pitino coaching rumor.
One thing columnists should know better than to do is to predict what Pitino will do. He makes up his own mind and he is unpredictable, likes doing the exact opposite of what people think he will do.
Nice work, John, but Pitino to USC is not plausible, nor is the next college or professional vacancy that comes open. Gets to be redundant after a while.
But, hey, it attracts readers and that’s what gets the adrenaline going.
This is the stupidest article I have read today, which transcends the Republicans trying to block Sotomayor’s bid for the Supreme Court. Louisville is miles ahead of USC in basketball. A new arena is being built, the premier college venue in the nation. Oh, plus Louisville actually has a tradition (two national titles). And to say Louisville is second-fiddle to Kentucky is rediculous. Kentucky is coming off the NIT and hasn’t been to the Final Four since 1997. Louisville was last there in 2005 and has been to two ELite-8’s since, still playing later in March than Kentucky. Louisville is the 16th largest city in America and fully embraces Cardinal Basketball. Lucy, your commentg is absurd, you must be tripping in the “sky with diamonds.”
Funny this article is by a Kentucky columnist. I’m glad the Big Blue nation has it’s say in everything from the west coast to the coal mines of Kentucky. I hope you enjoy my Tar Heels as THE program in college hoops. Enjoy the probation!
Sam, Sam, Sam. Which is it UL or UNC. Doesn’t really matter this year because both of you will go down to UK. I’ll give UNC props for a very succssful past few years but UL hasn’t won it since 1986. I guess we should exoect UNC to be on probation very soon based on what Roy Wulliams did at kansas.
ENVY OUR PAST FESAR OUR FUTURE
Silly. RP would never go to USC for the simple fact that he would never in a million years live in Los Angeles. He hates it.
Big Blue Nation…youre an idiot!