Report: Rick Pitino being 'heavily pursued' by major basketball school

According to a recent report from 106.7 the Fan, the CBS radio affiliate based out of Washington, D.C., that covers Maryland basketball on a regular basis, there could be a chance Rick Pitino is the next head coach for the Terrapins.

Jason Bishop of 106.7 FM’s The Sports Junkies provided the latest Wednesday morning.

“We’re not saying Rick is the guy [yet],” Bishop said. “We’re just saying that Maryland really likes Pitino. He’s their top dog.”

“He’s their number one choice,” Bickel added. “They’re going hard after him right now and there are a couple donors that are leading the charge.

The longtime basketball coach has had unprecedented success at the collegiate level and in the NBA until a 2017 sex scandal led to his suspension. The controversy put all eyes on Rick Pitino and a federal investigation involving bribing recruits ultimately led to Louisville firing him for cause.

Once considered one of the top college basketball coaches in the country, Pitino has led three different programs to Final Four appearances and was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

After a run overseas, Pitino came back to where he began and now leads the Iona men’s basketball team. The Gaels are an impressive 24-5 and 16-2 in MAAC play this season. Pitino was 12-6 and 6-3 in MAAC play during his first season at the helm and won the league’s tournament. The Gaels reached the NCAA Tournament and battled Alabama, but ultimately lost.