TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Pitino to coach Iona.

This is topic Pitino to coach Iona. in forum UK / NCAA Basketball at TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.thecatsdomain.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=037939

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 03-14-2020, 05:36 PM:

KSR is reporting that Pitino is the new Iona coach. Interesting.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 03-14-2020, 05:54 PM:

Here is a article about Pitino

Per Adam Zagoria, a college basketball insider and former beat writer for Iona College, Pitino is a serious candidate to replace Tim Cluess, who resigned on Friday for personal reasons. Cluess led Iona to six NCAA tournament appearances over ten seasons, but missed all of 2019-20 with an undisclosed health issue.

Former college basketball coach Matt Doherty is actually hearing Pitino will be Iona’s next head coach.

Adding to this, Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reports that Pitino has already told his current players that he’s leaving Greece for the college ranks.

Iona College plays in the 11-team Metro Athletic Conference and finished sixth this past season, going 12-17 overall and 9-11 in conference play. The Gaels play in the 2,578 seat Hynes Athletics Center, a multi-purpose arena that serves as the home for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, a far cry from the capacity of Rupp Arena (20,545) or KFC Yum! Center (22,090).

Link

[ 03-14-2020, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 03-14-2020, 05:56 PM:

Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 03-15-2020, 08:39 AM:

This had to be a hard pill to swallow for Pitino.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 03-15-2020, 10:02 AM:

You would have to think that his name came up for higher profile jobs before last season. UCLA, Michigan, Va Tech and many other big schools changed coaches. I believe Buffalo was mentioned as a good spot for him due to location. I'd like to know if he turned down bigger jobs recently or if he just wasn't considered by the schools. I read today that he likes Iona because of the location (30 minutes from his NY apartment).

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 03-15-2020, 11:22 AM:

I personally hope he does well. He brought Kentucky back from the pits of basketball hell, and I for one won't never forget that. He brought us the best team in my opinion to ever suit up, in the '96 team. Good luck coach, everyone deserves a second chance.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 03-15-2020, 11:45 AM:

I agree with you rit - his 96 team came to capital hill (washdc) for a luncheon and my wife and I sat with him and his wife during lunch and he couldn't have been nicer to both of us. He was charming and treated us as we try to treat others in person and for that he and his wife earned our respect..Doesnt take much in our case just treat others as you would want to be treated.

I wish him well in his new gig...

[ 03-15-2020, 11:46 AM: Message edited by: ukcatfannfl ]

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-15-2020, 06:16 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by ukcatfannfl:
I agree with you rit - his 96 team came to capital hill (washdc) for a luncheon and my wife and I sat with him and his wife during lunch and he couldn't have been nicer to both of us. He was charming and treated us as we try to treat others in person and for that he and his wife earned our respect..Doesnt take much in our case just treat others as you would want to be treated.

I wish him well in his new gig...

Agree

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 03-15-2020, 06:45 PM:

I've read where this Iona College is located about 30 minutes from Pitino's home!

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 03-15-2020, 06:46 PM:

If this show cause thing goes down, do you think it could possibly affect RP's job at Iona?

Posted by EnterpriseCat (Member # 2881) on 03-16-2020, 07:12 AM:

My only beef with Pitino (professionally) is that he should have never coached at Loserville. I appreciate what he did for UK, but you simply cannot become coach of the Tards and remain in my good graces. Go Cats!

BTW, I fully expect him to do a great job at Iona. He can coach for sure.

Posted by MountainMafia (Member # 2066) on 03-16-2020, 07:39 AM:

EC:

quote:
My only beef with Pitino (professionally) is that he should have never coached at Loserville.

My thoughts exactly....Pitino was a UK legend before taking that job.

However, like others have said, I will always be grateful for what he did for our program in some of it's darkest days.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 03-16-2020, 06:40 PM:

EC, I'm with you and MM.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 03-16-2020, 08:17 PM:

I have nothing but gratitude for what Pitino did for our program. However, I have nothing but revulsion for his personal behavior since he left. That combination of admiration for a job well done and dislike of character puts Pitino in the same category as Trump.

My comment was about his trajectory:

Boston College
Providence

--> NBA (Knicks)

UK

--> NBA (Celtics)

UVell

--> Euroball (Greece)

Iona

Since UVell, he has been in relative obscurity, thus "how the mighty have fallen".

[ 03-16-2020, 08:18 PM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-16-2020, 08:35 PM:

Good coach but an a-hole. Could care less about what he or Iona does.

Had to come back and edit this

I love coach Cal even if he does make me uneasy at times. However, if he did the things Rick did I’ll call him an a-hole and lobby for him to NEVER coach student athletes at any level. IMO, Ricky has shown what kind of a man he is.

[ 03-16-2020, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by country cat (Member # 1774) on 03-17-2020, 06:45 AM:

Pitino made a mistake leaving uk-----when boston didn't work out--he took the best job that was offered---I would have done the same thing---and so would most of the people on this board. I have always had to work--and I know what it is to be hungry --- I don't blame anyone for taking any job that they can get---and do---and ever one knows he can coach

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-17-2020, 07:02 AM:

Coaching Boston then Louisville has nothing to do with my opinion. I was actually still a fan for a while after he left. Paying prostitutes for student athletes, having sex with a woman in a public place etc is why I think he is an a-hole.

I will always maintain he should never be allowed to coach basketball. Just My opinion and i’m fine with the many who disagree. Hell, I’m pretty sure I was wrong once years ago.

[ 03-17-2020, 07:06 AM: Message edited by: handycat ]