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Rick Pitino (HC St. John's)

Rick Pitino Comments on Louisville Suspension, Denies Involvement in FBI Probe

"There's been a lot of turmoil the last few days and I've intentionally avoided making any public statements—primarily because so few facts are known. But I wish to make a few now.


First, I want to thank all my players from Providence, UK and Louisville. Your support means more to me than I can possibly express.

Second, to the many friends and fans who reached out to me in the last few days: I owe a thousand thanks and an apology for the disappointment you must have.

Third, as I've previously stated, I had no knowledge of any payments to any recruit or their family. But I was the head coach and I will take ownership of my decisions. The University took the action they thought was necessary and I will do the same.

Finally, Tom Jurich is the best athletic director in the country, and thanks to him I coached Louisville basketball for over 16 years where we witnessed many great things. From conference USA, AAC, Big East and now the ACC. I am proud of our many accomplishments and appreciate the continued support of the Louisville community. Again, a thousand thanks."
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According to CBS News, Pitino was confirmed as "Coach-2" in an FBI complaint, and it is alleged that he arranged to have $100,000 paid by Adidas to a recruit believed to be Brian Bowen and his family.

Entire article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...le-suspension-denies-involvement-in-fbi-probe

I can only guess he hoping that the FBI evidence never becomes public so he can try to get a monetary settlement by suing Louisville for wrongful termination of his employment. Whether he admits any involvement or not his chances of ever coaching again in the NCAA is (probably less than) ZERO.
 
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I had no knowledge of any payments to any recruit or their family.

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Rick Pitino 'laying low,' vows to be vindicated in recruiting scandal

Suspended Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, in his first comments since being put on unpaid leave on Wednesday, said he is selling his house in Louisville and "laying low," and he vowed that he would be vindicated of allegations made by federal investigators in a fraud and corruption case.
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When asked if he is Coach-2, Pitino said, "it doesn't matter if I am or not."

Documents in the federal investigation said Adidas executive Jim Gatto, who was arrested on Tuesday, "spoke directly with Coach-2 multiple times in the days before [Bowen] publicly committed" to Louisville.

Pitino said he was discussing former Louisville player Terry Rozier's sponsorship deal with Adidas in those phone calls.

Entire article: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...ling-house-laying-low-wake-recruiting-scandal

http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...itino-fbi-investigation-vindicated/721323001/

Apparently selling homes is not something new to Pitino:

Louisville Hoops Coach Rick Pitino Selling 2 Luxurious Florida Homes
https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/rick-pitino-selling-two-florida-homes/

Pitino’s Mockingbird Gardens home sells
https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/2013/04/pitinos-mockingbird-gardens-home-sells.html
 
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Louisville board votes unanimously to start Rick Pitino termination process

The University of Louisville Athletic Association's board unanimously voted Monday to begin the process to terminate Rick Pitino "for cause," which will take the school off the hook for the $44 million buyout in his contract if it succeeds.

Pitino was placed on unpaid administrative leave last week after he was tied to an alleged scheme to funnel $100,000 to the family of five-star recruit Brian Bowen Jr. with cash arranged by Adidas executive Jim Gatto.

"The board requested of me and authorized me to initiate the process to terminate for cause, as defined in Coach Pitino's employment contract," interim president Greg Postel said after the athletic association board's meeting.
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Attorneys for Pitino, according to WDRB.com, officially served a breach of contract notice to the school on Monday, which means Pitino and the university are likely headed toward a contentious legal battle over the millions he believes he's owed.

Entire article: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...imously-start-rick-pitino-termination-process

I can only guess he hoping that the FBI evidence never becomes public so he can try to get a monetary settlement by suing Louisville for wrongful termination of his employment. Whether he admits any involvement or not his chances of ever coaching again in the NCAA is (probably less than) ZERO.

Re: begin the process to terminate Rick Pitino "for cause," which will take the school off the hook for the $44 million buyout in his contract if it succeeds.

Yep, Pitino has $44M reasons to never admit to any wrong doing, etc.
 
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Rick Pitino raked in 98% of the cash from University of Louisville's current Adidas deal

When University of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich announced a new deal with athletic apparel giant Adidas on Aug. 25, a reporter asked him if some of the proceeds would be shared with the university.

“It’s for the athletic department,” Jurich replied. “It’s for these student-athletes. It’s been earmarked for them.”

In fact, under the current deal with Adidas, which expires July 1, 98 percent of the cash provided by Adidas goes to one person: Rick Pitino, the now-suspended head coach.

In 2015-16, for example, $1.5 million went to Pitino under his personal services agreement with the apparel company while just $25,000 went to the program, according to a contract obtained by the Courier-Journal under the state public records act.

The year before, Pitino also got $1.5 million, while the department banked just $10,000.

Entire article: http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...771001/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Re: Pitino will go down as one of the biggest grifters in sports history. And what's hilarious is it was always going to end this way. The writing has been on the wall for years, and despite having millions of dollars in the bank, he continued working his marks.
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/skul...yes-football-kerry-coombs-maryland-ty-johnson


PitinoVito.jpg
 
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Louisville announces men's basketball assistant Jordan Fair fired without cause

The Cardinals still have another assistant on paid leave

The FBI's probe into nefarious recruiting in college basketball has now cost a second coach at Louisville his job.

The school announced Wednesday night that assistant coach Jordan Fair has been terminated without cause.

"The University of Louisville has parted ways with assistant men's basketball coach Jordan Fair, exercising the option in his contract to terminate his employment without cause," the statement reads. "He will continue to be paid for 30 days. Associate head men's basketball coach Kenny Johnson remains on paid administrative leave."

Entire article: https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...ll-assistant-jordan-fair-fired-without-cause/
 
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Pitino's Case To Be Heard Monday

University of Louisville Head Basketball Coach Rick Pitino's case is expected to go before the Athletic's Association Board Monday.

The University of Louisville had to give 10 days’ notice before it could take any final action against Pitino. That time frame is up on Monday.

Pitino has said he will be vindicated in the FBI investigation and his attorney Steve Pence says it will be a bare-knuckle fight over his contract and a payout if he's fired.

Pitino remains on unpaid administrative leave.

Entire article: http://www.whas11.com/news/local/pitinos-case-to-be-heard-monday/483348798
 
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