Ralph Willard
Update: It’s official.
Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports is reporting that Ralph Willard has decided to resign as head coach at Holy Cross and join Rick Pitino at Louisville.
This development would throw water on rumors that Pitino would be interested in the opening at Southern Cal, now that Tim Floyd has resigned.
After all, why would Willard agree to come to Louisville if Pitino was on his way to Los Angeles?
It’s also a good hire. Willard is a terrific basketball coach, who was Rick’s assistant at UK before becoming head coach at Western Kentucky, then Pittsburgh and Holy Cross.
This is probably the best news Pitino has received in quite some time.
A good friend is still a good FRIEND. Blood is way much thicker than water. Go get them guys.
Yeah this eliminates the rumor of Pitino going to the NBA or Southern Cal. But it only intensifies the rumor that he will have to take a sabbatical or a personal leave from UL this comming season. Everyone knows why he will need to take such a leave of absence, he has been in hiding down in some cave since the end of last season. I expect Willard to basically run UL’s program for the next 2-3 years, then Pitino Jr. to move up from Florida and be their new head coach.