Do the Right Thing Louisville, Bring Rick Pitino Home
The University of Louisville basketball program has undergone an ugly transformation. Once Kentucky’s greatest rival as one of the premier programs in college basketball, they became a punchline, then devolved into a pathetic embarrassment.
Rock Bottom reached a crescendo following their first-round ACC Tournament exit when Kenny Payne blamed the lack of support from fans for the program’s demise.
Now officially out as the Cardinals’ head coach, a search for Payne’s successor will surely be another edition of seemingly never-ending Yakety Sax. Over the next few weeks, Louisville fans will suggest ridiculous names, ranging from Billy Donovan to Brad Stevens. There will be modest suggestions that do not move the needle, like Jamie Dixon and Mick Cronin.
To solve the program’s problems, Louisville needs to return to the source of its downward spiral. Sometimes you gotta go back to actually move forward.
You may laugh at this suggestion — hopefully it was amusing — but this should actually be considered by the brass at Louisville. Rick Pitino was the best thing that ever happened to them.
Sure, he oversaw the program while being extorted by an ex-lover. He also was in charge when they paid prostitutes to entertain recruits. Oh, and there was a federal wiretap that exposed them for cheating.
But life is all about forgiveness. If the NCAA’s recent actions have taught us anything, rules no longer exist in college athletics. It’s the perfect storm for Rick Pitino to thrive.
Setting aside his scandals and numerous accolades as a coach, he’s the most entertaining and important basketball figure in the history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He was a hero and a villain who won, all while using the most ridiculous hyperbole every time he stepped in front of a microphone.
Remember when he said Mike Marra is the best shooter he’s ever coached? That was hilarious. Remember when he flipped off Kentucky fans while leaving Rupp Arena for the final time? What a sore loser.
Beating Rick Pitino gave the BBN so much joy. He provides a never-ending stream of content. We need that back in our lives, even if it means we must endure his bullcrap from time to time.
Louisville basketball has become a joke. The time is now to steer into the skid, turn the other cheek and welcome home its Prodigal Son.
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