Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less

So I was on a radio station in Iowa talking about the Rick Pitino situation, basically stating how there's no defense for the Louisville coach's behavior while also explaining that I didn't believe his job was at risk. But then the hosts mentioned Larry Eustachy, and I started talking about the parallels between the cases, and it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps this is more serious than I initially thought.

Why?

Because coaches have been removed for less, that's why.

Eustachy is the most obvious example.

Remember, Eustachy was pushed out of Iowa State after photographs of him partying with young women and drinking cheap beer surfaced. It was a bad deal, no question. But was it worse than a married man nailing a stranger on a table in a restaurant, and then paying for a subsequent abortion?

It doesn't sound worse, does it?

And that's really my point.

When you take a step back -- and consider Louisville president James Ramsey has been less than supportive in his public comments -- it doesn't seem like a given that Pitino's career will continue uninterrupted, which is not to say I would suspend or fire him. Just so we're clear, I would not. If I was in charge at Louisville, I'd keep Rick Pitino as my head coach, and all indications are that he will indeed continue as Louisville's head coach. But it took a couple of radio guys in Iowa to remind me that coaches (specifically Eustachy) have been removed for much less, and now I'm not so sure Pitino will coast through this soap opera the way I initially anticipated.

Could this really be the beginning of the end for Rick Pitino?

No, I don't think so.

But it's at least a reasonable question to ponder, and I wouldn't have said that last night.

There are so many questions revolving around this issue; exactly how truthful was Pitino when the storm came (apparently he was very truthful and forthright) appears to be settled. And let me just say off-the-bat, I know the discussion of abortion is where this is headed. It's such a polarizing issue I'm not going to touch it except to say one thing:

(And I think this is right about Catholicism) He severely messed up with both adultery (which to me is the more upsetting crime) and consenting to the abortion (which to the Catholic church is on par with the first). That is two commandments in the eyes of the Catholic Church. To be honest it would not surprise me one bit if he got fired over this incident; it would also not surprise me if he won a national championship in 5 years. Of all of the subjcts in college basketball in this century, I cannot think of an issue with as many possible outcomes as this.

If it were me, I would fire him under the guise of breach of contract (the 1st trimester abortion aspect does not carry as much weight with me as the adultery aspect), not just because he needs to be punished for this, but from a competitive standpoint. There is no way he continues to recruit at the level he once did, there's just no way. Potential recruits will be hammered home with this until the cows come home. If I'm Louisville, I try to find a Tony Dungy of college basketball right now and smooth this over with potential recruits.

I don't know. The recruiting world may be less affected, and Pitino may be such a great recruiter that it won't affect it as much as I think. I think he has lost quite a few fans, though, and I count myself as one of them.

MTCAT Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 11, 2007	Posted on: August 12, 2009 3:52 pm Score: 134 Should Pitino be let go? The Kentucky papers have reported that Pitino has the usual moral turpitude clause in his contract as well as a clause prohibiting dishonesty toward the Administration or the University. He can also be let go for conduct that causes embarassment to the University or causes the good name of the University of Louisville to be maligned in the national media. There is no question that he has failed the moral turpitude test and there are questions as to how much of the facts of the case were revealed to Jurich and the Administration (the dishonesty issue). By strict interpretation of the contract terms, yes, Pitino CAN be fired. Will he? I doubt very much that he will, however, his retirement date may now be much closer than previously contemplated. [ Reply to Comment ]
Coach A Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 13, 2008	Posted on: August 12, 2009 4:17 pm Score: 123 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less The bigger question is should the Catholic church continue to allow him to take communion. It is a fair question to ask, ND got taken to task by allowing Obama to speak there. Should the catholic church want and admitted adulterer and someone who so easily allowed said women to get an abortion, either you believe in sanctity of life or not, be allowed to partake in communion....Tough question...Pitino likes to show off his Catholicism, brings priests with him alot, but in the real moment of life, turned his back on all that is most sacred of his religion...What do you all Think? [ Reply to Comment ]
cwcatsfan Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 29, 2006	Posted on: August 12, 2009 4:46 pm Score: 156 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less I think religion ought to be the least of his concerns. Remember, his is a religion of child molesters, so far be it from them to judge anyone. To me the question is how he could work in Louisville after this. I'm certain that the University will not fire him, but how could he show his face in any part of the state now? He's going to be hounded by the press about this throughout next season. And just imagine his next game in Rupp! One would think this would be a good time to step down, take a year off, and resume your career in another part of the country. Will he do this? That's the big question to me. [ Reply to Comment ]
joefodom Reputation: 92 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 19, 2007	Posted on: August 12, 2009 4:58 pm Score: 124 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less There are so many questions revolving around this issue; exactly how truthful was Pitino when the storm came (apparently he was very truthful and forthright) appears to be settled. And let me just say off-the-bat, I know the discussion of abortion is where this is headed. It's such a polarizing issue I'm not going to touch it except to say one thing: (And I think this is right about Catholicism) He severely messed up with both adultery (which to me is the more upsetting crime) and consenting to the abortion (which to the Catholic church is on par with the first). That is two commandments in the eyes of the Catholic Church. To be honest it would not surprise me one bit if he got fired over this incident; it would also not surprise me if he won a national championship in 5 years. Of all of the subjcts in college basketball in this century, I cannot think of an issue with as many possible outcomes as this. If it were me, I would fire him under the guise of breach of contract (the 1st trimester abortion aspect does not carry as much weight with me as the adultery aspect), not just because he needs to be punished for this, but from a competitive standpoint. There is no way he continues to recruit at the level he once did, there's just no way. Potential recruits will be hammered home with this until the cows come home. If I'm Louisville, I try to find a Tony Dungy of college basketball right now and smooth this over with potential recruits. I don't know. The recruiting world may be less affected, and Pitino may be such a great recruiter that it won't affect it as much as I think. I think he has lost quite a few fans, though, and I count myself as one of them. [ Reply to Comment ]
SmackyG Reputation: 77 Level: Pro Since: Jul 23, 2009	Posted on: August 12, 2009 5:19 pm Score: 22 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less Pitino won't be fired. UofL would lose too much money as a result of their bball program imploding. At Metallica said, "Sad but True". [ Reply to Comment ]
MarkG Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 20, 2006	Posted on: August 12, 2009 6:36 pm Score: 86 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less First thing -- before anything else, let's all jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts. After all, guilty until proven innocent, right? [ Reply to Comment ]
IU FAN Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 9, 2006	Posted on: August 12, 2009 6:42 pm Score: 70 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less The bigger question is should the Catholic church continue to allow him to take communion.This is the bigger question? We're talking college sports which is, unfortunately, only about winning (and not the growth of young men). Who cares about the religious implications?!? [ Reply to Comment ]
courtside26 Reputation: 21 Level: Amateur Since: Feb 1, 2009	Posted on: August 12, 2009 6:46 pm Score: -28 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less They have also kept there job by doing more!!! It seems like the worse the crime is the more the NCAA rewards coaches!! Look at Gillispie (Kentucky)..........he had a ton of stuff going on even while at Texas A&M and it finally caught up with him......Its amazing the guys who have did crazy things and still have been able to get another job. Its all politics..........And the media is the worst !! They pick and choose who they want to attack based on there relationship with a particular coach!! Its wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
UTVols4Life Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Apr 6, 2009	Posted on: August 12, 2009 6:51 pm Score: 33 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less He admitted the afair! What other facts are needed? [ Reply to Comment ]
jonny10 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jun 26, 2009	Posted on: August 12, 2009 7:01 pm Score: 153 Worth noting: Coaches have been fired for less Rick has always talked about getting the most out of your ability and motivation. Those who look up to Pitino cannot be too happy. Its hard for him to talk about life in general now, he needs to stick to just basketball. He does not have a whole lot of credability. As a Pitt fan, when Ben Howland left I wanted to get Calapari, he is from Moon Pa, wanted to come back. He went out and said it would be his last job. In the end we went for Dixon, might not be the recuiter that John is, but you will not see Dixon anywhere near a situation that would put him in a bad light and there is something to be said for that. [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts