Other Sports Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving - Page 3

**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.

03-28-2009, 10:06 AM	Topic Starter
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.
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