LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rick Pitino's return to Rupp Arena and the University of Kentucky has certainly been a popular conversation starter.
One of the conversations was whether or not Pitino will ever return to the University of Louisville.
Well, Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey addressed that conversation starter on Tuesday.
"I have one of his former players on my staff, and Peyton, Stephen Peyton Siva, loves him, and I know he loves Peyton Siva," Kelsey said during a news conference. "I feel like, in some ways, Coach Pitino is around here more than people think. Because of Peyton. I get a 'Pitinoism' every couple days or so, and bring them all on, man, because that cat's a Hall of Famer. He's one of the best coaches in the history of college basketball, so obviously, we'd love to have him back, and he's always welcome here, icon in this city and an icon in coaching you."
Seven years have passed since a stripper scandal upended the UofL men’s basketball program.
Pitino was later dismissed by the university after an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption led to allegations of NCAA violations. It was the third scandal, professional and personal, in an eight-year period with Louisville – but Pitino was exonerated in the FBI-related case.
WHAS11’s weekend sports anchor Mason Horodyski caught up with Pitino on Oct. 11 to ask him about his visits and his feelings toward Louisville.
“I love my players, and I love the fans of Louisville. I’ve never been invited back to Louisville,” he said. “They fired me – quite abruptly – not very nicely, but I offer nothing against the fans and certainly nothing against my players. I love them dearly, I love the fans dearly, but I’ve never been invited back one time.”
Pitino is the head coach at St. John’s University in New York.
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