Other Sports Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving - Page 2

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 10:06 AM

On Thursday, Rick Pitino was asked about the rumors of him going to Arizona. He responded by refusing to say he wouldn't leave:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/co...na_rumors.html

"I wouldn't answer any other job because it would be disrespectful to the University of Louisville," Pitino said when asked about his interest in a job that he has been linked to since Lute Olson retired last October. "Any time a coach says he's not interested in a job, he's dead interested in a job. So you know, I don't mislead you. All I can say to you is for eight years I've given every ounce I've had to the University of Louisville. I will continue to do that."

...

"The only job I've thought about for a 24-hour period since I've been at the University of Louisville was Providence College last year," said the 56-year-old Pitino. "Because of the personal things I went through at Providence, I wanted to sit down and talk with them about the job to see if I did want to come back because of personal reasons that were very deep to me. I sat down with them and realized Louisville was the place for me. Outside of that, for eight years, I haven't thought about any job except the University of Louisville, and that's answering you the honest way."

Then on Friday, Calipari used nearly the same sort of carefully chosen non-answer when he was asked about Kentucky:

My transcription from video below:

Reporter: "kentucky, the rumors are already starting to fly, can you comment on that?".

Cal: "no, I want to be here, this is where I want to coach, my name will be tied to every job that's open, our fans have gotten used to it, but I'm so tired... (avoids followup questions by moving quickly away from the topic)"

Compare both of those to Billy Donovan's response, which was a bit more direct and certain:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...-florida_N.htm

"In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible, " Donovan's statement said. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."

UK moved on after that, and Grant accepted the Alabama job, which was the final evidence that there will be no BD at UK.

Pitino and Calipari are trying not talk about their interest in leaving UM and UL, but they don't want to lie either. Both are doing a good job of hiding it, while leaving the door open. Something Les Miles couldn't find a way to do right before the national championship game.

Ultra Peanut · 03-28-2009, 11:21 AM

When you end up with Ricardo Patton or some shit, I'm going to laugh incredibly hard.

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Tis true. That's not to say he's willing to go anywhere else for $1.

His deal is something like $4M/year when everything is factored in.

No one else pays that now. If Arizona or Kentucky can get to about $3M fully loaded, that's about where it needs to be. That's going to be really hard for Arizona to do, but we are at about $2.5M now. It might not match up, but it's not for an unwillingness by Cal to take the job here (or UK) or do to it for somewhat less money.

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

When you end up with Ricardo Patton or some shit, I'm going to laugh incredibly hard.

The latest I have heard (and it's come and gone) is that Livengood is waiting on Pitino and Izzo. That we haven't (formally) contacted Cal yet, because those are our top two and they are both playing.

The worst coach we will end up with is Reggie Theus. Fans would be very disappointed with that, but he was an NBA head coach and a success at UNM and a Pitino Asst. So he has the package to be a success. But he's not an elite coach at an elite school. We get him and you get to keep your $1.

Ultra Peanut · 03-28-2009, 11:29 AM

HANG TIME

WilliamTheIrish · 03-28-2009, 11:48 AM

Your backup plan is Reggie Theus?

I loved him when I was high school. Loved that UNLV team too. In that day, the only way to really follow teams was through SI or SPORT magazine. That team Had Glenn Gondrezik, Theus, and three guys with the last name of Smith. And Larry Mofett. I used to read their box scores that year. They scored 100 points 23 times that season.

They lost to a UNC team led by Walter Davis. It was a close game too. 88-87.. something like that. Probably one of the best Final Fours for character coaches. Al McGuire (Butch Lee, Bo Ellis, Jerome Whitehead), Tark, UNCC I don't remember their coach but they had Cornbread Maxwell and UNC had chain smoking Dean Smith.

Back to reality. Theus is the backup plan for Az?

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Your backup plan is Reggie Theus?

I loved him when I was high school. Loved that UNLV team too. In that day, the only way to really follow teams was through SI or SPORT magazine. That team Had Glenn Gondrezik, Theus, and three guys with the last name of Smith. And Larry Mofett. I used to read their box scores that year. They scored 100 points 23 times that season.

They lost to a UNC team led by Walter Davis. It was a close game too. 88-87.. something like that. Probably one of the best Final Fours for character coaches. Al McGuire (Butch Lee, Bo Ellis, Jerome Whitehead), Tark, UNCC I don't remember their coach but they had Cornbread Maxwell and UNC had chain smoking Dean Smith.

Back to reality. Theus is the backup plan for Az?

He's campaigning for the job, so I assume he's the lowest we'll end up going.

Ultra Peanut · 03-28-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Back to reality. Theus is the backup plan for Az?

Only if they can't get Calipari, Pitino, Izzo, Wooden, Self, Roy Williams, or Phil Jackson.

ChiefsCountry · 03-28-2009, 12:21 PM

Memphis is a better job than Arizona.

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Only if they can't get Calipari, Pitino, Izzo, Wooden, Self, Roy Williams, or Phil Jackson.

its pitino, izzo, cal, few, dixon, pearl, capel and a few others.

dixon has huge buy out, but he has campaiged for the job for a couple yes.
Posted via Mobile Device

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Memphis is a better job than Arizona.

they are certainly the better program.
Posted via Mobile Device

DaWolf · 03-28-2009, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Memphis is a better job than Arizona.

Calipari has made it the better job, not the other way around IMO. That conference is pathetic...

Ultra Peanut · 03-28-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

its pitino, izzo, cal, few, dixon, pearl, capel and a few others.

ChiefsCountry · 03-28-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaWolf

Calipari has made it the better job, not the other way around IMO. That conference is pathetic...

Memphis has always been good in basektball even before Calpari came. That conference isnt that bad either.

**the Talking Can** · 03-28-2009, 12:59 PM

Pitino would kill at Arizona.

CHENZ A! · 03-28-2009, 01:47 PM

I'm really hoping for Izzo personally, though I'd be happy with any of those 3. Arizona may not have the history that Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Carolina, UCLA, Indiana, etc have, but in the last 25 yrs very few programs have been as successful.

03-28-2009, 10:06 AM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving On Thursday, Rick Pitino was asked about the rumors of him going to Arizona. He responded by refusing to say he wouldn't leave: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/co...na_rumors.html "I wouldn't answer any other job because it would be disrespectful to the University of Louisville," Pitino said when asked about his interest in a job that he has been linked to since Lute Olson retired last October. "Any time a coach says he's not interested in a job, he's dead interested in a job. So you know, I don't mislead you. All I can say to you is for eight years I've given every ounce I've had to the University of Louisville. I will continue to do that." ... "The only job I've thought about for a 24-hour period since I've been at the University of Louisville was Providence College last year," said the 56-year-old Pitino. "Because of the personal things I went through at Providence, I wanted to sit down and talk with them about the job to see if I did want to come back because of personal reasons that were very deep to me. I sat down with them and realized Louisville was the place for me. Outside of that, for eight years, I haven't thought about any job except the University of Louisville, and that's answering you the honest way." Then on Friday, Calipari used nearly the same sort of carefully chosen non-answer when he was asked about Kentucky: My transcription from video below: Reporter: "kentucky, the rumors are already starting to fly, can you comment on that?". Cal: "no, I want to be here, this is where I want to coach, my name will be tied to every job that's open, our fans have gotten used to it, but I'm so tired... (avoids followup questions by moving quickly away from the topic)" Compare both of those to Billy Donovan's response, which was a bit more direct and certain: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...-florida_N.htm "In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible, " Donovan's statement said. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here." UK moved on after that, and Grant accepted the Alabama job, which was the final evidence that there will be no BD at UK. Pitino and Calipari are trying not talk about their interest in leaving UM and UL, but they don't want to lie either. Both are doing a good job of hiding it, while leaving the door open. Something Les Miles couldn't find a way to do right before the national championship game.
Posts: 24,799

03-28-2009, 11:21 AM	#16
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	When you end up with Ricardo Patton or some shit, I'm going to laugh incredibly hard. __________________
Posts: 39,518

03-28-2009, 11:29 AM	#19
Ultra Peanut v^V^v^V^v^V^ Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Holland* Casino cash: $10005177	HANG TIME __________________
Posts: 39,518

03-28-2009, 11:48 AM	#20
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $6050607	Your backup plan is Reggie Theus? I loved him when I was high school. Loved that UNLV team too. In that day, the only way to really follow teams was through SI or SPORT magazine. That team Had Glenn Gondrezik, Theus, and three guys with the last name of Smith. And Larry Mofett. I used to read their box scores that year. They scored 100 points 23 times that season. They lost to a UNC team led by Walter Davis. It was a close game too. 88-87.. something like that. Probably one of the best Final Fours for character coaches. Al McGuire (Butch Lee, Bo Ellis, Jerome Whitehead), Tark, UNCC I don't remember their coach but they had Cornbread Maxwell and UNC had chain smoking Dean Smith. Back to reality. Theus is the backup plan for Az?
Posts: 34,633

03-28-2009, 12:21 PM	#23
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2298752	Memphis is a better job than Arizona.
Posts: 49,618

03-28-2009, 12:59 PM	#29
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	Pitino would kill at Arizona. __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

03-28-2009, 01:47 PM	#30
CHENZ A! pimping hoes + clocking a grip Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $9977569	I'm really hoping for Izzo personally, though I'd be happy with any of those 3. Arizona may not have the history that Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Carolina, UCLA, Indiana, etc have, but in the last 25 yrs very few programs have been as successful.
Posts: 6,302