Rick Pitino has discussed potential candidates for the vacant UNLV job with influential Rebel supporter Steve Wynn, according to a source with the Celtics. But that doesn't mean the former Celtics coach is headed to UNLV, or anywhere else as of yet.
Pitino, who left the Celtics on Sunday, will be the hottest name in the coaching circles any time a high-profile job opens. Two are already vacant with interim head coaches at Indiana (Mike Davis) and UNLV (Max Good).
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Pitino's College Career
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Year
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School
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Record
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1978-79
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Boston U.
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17-9
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1979-80
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Boston U.
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21-9
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1980-81
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Boston U.
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13-14
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1981-82
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Boston U.
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19-9 |
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1982-83
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Boston U.
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21-10
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1985-86
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Providence
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17-14
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1986-87
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Providence
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25-9
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1989-90
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Kentucky
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14-14
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1990-91
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Kentucky
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22-6
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1991-92
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Kentucky
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29-7
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1992-93
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Kentucky
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30-4
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1993-94
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Kentucky
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27-7
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1994-95
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Kentucky
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28-5
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1995-96
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Kentucky
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34-2
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1996-97
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Kentucky
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35-5
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Totals
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15 yrs.
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352-124
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Several other high-profile jobs may also open up. Pitino, however, can take his time and doesn't have to take any available job.
Pitino is in a different situation then the last big free agents in the college coaching carousel. Unlike John Calipari, who left the New Jersey Nets to return to college coaching at Memphis, Pitino isn't willing to take a job in near obscurity. Unlike Fran Fraschilla, who was out of coaching for a year between St. John's and New Mexico, he doesn't need to work simply to pay the bills.
Pitino doesn't need a ton of money because of his Celtics contract and his likely estimated $1.5-plus million severance package. Sources close to Pitino said he doesn't want to be in a small-college town. But he does want to go to an established program where basketball is treated as the top sport.
"Dave Gavitt (former Big East CEO) gave me the greatest piece of advice when he said an accountant shouldn't make a career decision in April and a basketball coach shouldn't make one after he's been fired," Calipari said Sunday. "You need to think clearly. For me, this was the right situation in every way and I'm more convinced of that every day. There are no easy jobs."
Calipari found some irony in the fact that the rap against Pitino -- he was too hard on his players and they quit on him -- is similar to what was said about him.
But he added that his situation and that of Pitino -- who he considers a friend -- are markedly different.
"He'll have his choice of jobs once they're open, but he has to determine the quality of life he wants," Calipari said. "Someone said, 'Why Memphis?' My wife is five hours away from her family. I'm not a big city guy. Maybe Rick and his wife need the city and glitter. But Rick is different than me. He's a Hall of Famer. I'm just trying to make a living. He doesn't have to settle for anything short of the way he wants it or he isn't going."
Calipari said Pitino would have the same advantages he's enjoying in recruiting. Players want to play for a coach who has coached in the NBA. But he also wouldn't rule out a sabbatical from the game. Calipari spent a year with the Sixers as an assistant before he went to Memphis.
"Maybe he takes the year off," Calipari said. "He doesn't need the money."
Indiana doesn't fit the criteria for Pitino because of Bloomington. Indiana has never paid a coach in the million-dollar category. And, the administration has told ESPN.com they don't want another coach who is bigger than the program.
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Rick Pitino will be heavily pursued for various coaching positions on the collegiate level.
Pitino's style, which involves teaching and motivating, is made-to-order for the college campus, where he had brilliant success in the past at Providence and Kentucky.
Look for Pitino to be the No. 1 choice for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. It would not shock me to see him return to coaching in Las Vegas if they were able to put together a strong package that would give him an opportunity to have big-time success.
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UNLV does have pluses for Pitino. The Runnin' Rebels could come up with a package topping $1 million, with a $500,000 base salary, camp money, attendance clauses and a Nike package. The Thomas & Mack Center is a pure basketball arena with hoops as the No. 1 tenant. The Rebels are building a $13 million practice facility and the basketball budget is as competitive with any in Division I. The team is decent and has a chance to win the Mountain West every season, especially with the tournament in Las Vegas.
Private planes used for recruiting but not owned by the university could be at Pitino's disposal, similar to Calipari in Memphis. The NCAA would likely look favorably upon a Pitino hire after he came in and cleaned up Kentucky following a probationary period. UNLV is on probation and banned from the 2001 postseason for violations related to the recruitment of Lamar Odom. That led to the firing of Bill Bayno last month.
There is a precedent in Las Vegas for the Wynn family calling a coach and then it leading to his hiring. They did that with Rollie Massimino when he was asked about candidates and then took the job in 1992 to replace Jerry Tarkanian. Sources in Las Vegas said the community is backing a plan to go after Pitino. A 4-to-6-week timetable has been set up to try to lure Pitino. If that fails, there is growing sentiment that UNLV stick with Good. The Rebels are 6-1 under Good since Bayno's firing.
There could also be intriguing job openings at Kentucky, St. John's and Cincinnati, where all three coaches have talked to NBA teams in the past year. If the three -- Tubby Smith, Mike Jarvis and Bob Huggins -- interview again in the spring and move to the NBA, Pitino could be a factor at any one of those schools.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN.com's Andy Katz looks at where Rick Pitino can go from here.
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