From someone who is more knowledgeable than I, wasn't Rick Pitino our 3rd choice when he was hired?
When Pitino was hired....
- Thread starter celtikat33
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Whole other thread on it.
CM Newton was going to be interim HC, we got turned down by so many people. We got turned down at least once in every coaching search except maybe 1997. I don't remember if Tubby was the first offer or not.
Right now he’s the next best option. Come in ask for forgiveness and let’s go!
Stupid take. Washed up has been. 92 Pitino ain’t walking back through that door and he should NEVER be offered the chance.
Yeah Tubby and CM was tight. CM had told Tubby prior that when Rick left to be ready for that call to come to Lexington. Tubby even had a "Kentucky" clause written up in his contract that should UK call then he could leave freely anytime if they called. Dooley had just signed Tubby to an extension a few weeks before CM called him about getting his **** and bringing his JD Barnette style to UK. Alot of fans thought we were getting another Rick but we ended up getting ol JD.
Tubby wanted to be his own man and you can't blame him for that. I respect him for that but he was always bullshittin us about running and pressing more and acted as if he was ready to run like Rock instead he'd jack like JD. And JD liked a slowjack. Pitino would run that Sypher D on teams and it's be over quick. Tub wanted to play it close til the end and hoped to win at the end.
Thank goodness they did turn us down ... and serves as a perfect example of fool's gold when believing that hiring "long-in-the-tooth" coaching retreads is the best option.
yes Lute Olsen and JP Carlesimo turned us down, he might have been fourth
I remember telling Newton that Pitino was the only coach that could bring us back. Don't remember who he was looking at. Just remember watching some Pitino games and how exciting they was and knew that was who we needed.
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not saying it will happen but Pope's offense and enthusiasm has similar traits
Maybe so. But his top two portal additions are better than Pope's top two portal additions so far, and Pitino is the only coach last March who gave UConn a game.
I'm not sure I'd call him "washed up." He's right where he needs to be, and St. John's might be decent this year if they keep putting pieces together.