Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too

Tom Jurich is behind Rick Pitino. As is Dr. James Ramsey. So it appears Rick Pitino will survive this mess that would make more sense if it was a story lifted from "Days of our Lives," and I suppose the Hall of Fame coach simply had more equity built up over his distinguished career than Larry Eustachy and Mike Price, both of whom were removed from good jobs for less.

"Rick Pitino is the University of Louisville's basketball coach," Ramsey said via a statement released shortly after Pitino publicly apologized to his family, the university and its fans. "He has been a role model for countless young people and a positive influence on this community. Regardless of the truth or falsehood of specific actions that have been attributed to the coach, he's clearly made errors in judgment that have come under intense public scrutiny. We can't ignore these errors in judgment, and they have saddened and disappointed me. As we try to teach our students, when you make a mistake, you admit it and right it as best you can. Coach has done that today."

Translation: I'm pissed off, but I'm keeping my coach.

(Or at least that's the way I read it.)

Still, this is going to affect Pitino going forward.

There's no denying that.

I'd like to tell you his personal life won't come up in recruiting, but that would be a lie, because it will. Even if a prospect doesn't care, a prospect's family might. And even if a prospect's family doesn't care, opposing coaches will almost certainly try to make them care by floating theories about how Pitino's life is spiraling out of control, about how it'll lead to an early retirement, about how signing with Louisville isn't as likely to have you playing for Pitino as it is to have you playing for new assistant Ralph Willard.

In the business, it's called negative recruiting .

And it works.

So while Pitino spoke about the incident Wednesday and explained how telling the truth will help make it a part of his past, the reality is that this is very much going to be a part of his future, too. How much so remains to be determined. But when John Calipari moved down the street in April, Pitino's job immediately became more difficult, and I'm inclined to believe this latest episode is only going to make things worse.

As an ardent supporter and Coach Pitino, who built his name at my Alma Matta, Providence College, I am appalled by the circumstances surrounding Coach Pitino and think it would be in the best interests of all, if he retired. I cannot see how he can publicly recruit others and, more importantly, lead young men, when he is so flawed in character himself. It is a sad day for all sports, not just basketball!

Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too

I am SHOCKED that the University of Louisville lowered itself to Pitino's standards by SUPPORTING these horrible acts by someone 'who has been a role model to countless youths'?!?! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ plain and simple. UL should be ASHAMED of themselves, even more than Rick Pitino for their actions today...standing beside him amongst this FBI mess speaks VOLUMES about Tom Jurich and the UL president. On the Courier Journal website, the Louisville based newspaper, nearly 40% of 15,000 votes are demanding UL fire him, with 30% percent wanting Rick to step down on his own, with only 27% wanting UL to support him. The people of Louisville are tired of these people thinking they live in a money protected bubble. SHAME!

Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too

Any Kentucky fan saying darn near anything on this subject should be ignored!!! You just hired one of the, if not the most crooked coaches in NCAA basketball. If RP was still at UK you'd be making tons of "reasons" why this was OK.

PS: I think RP should quit, it will only hurt the University of LOUISVILLE !!!! Let Willard take over this year then we'll go in like a viking and steal a damn good coach next year!!!!

Jamammy3000 Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: May 11, 2009	Posted on: August 12, 2009 11:37 pm Score: 66 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too In the business, it's called negative recruiting .Thanks for the nap, Gary. Looks like you are negatively recruiting folks to read this dribble. [ Reply to Comment ]
PatriotNation Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 10, 2006	Posted on: August 13, 2009 12:09 am Score: 99 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too As an ardent supporter and Coach Pitino, who built his name at my Alma Matta, Providence College, I am appalled by the circumstances surrounding Coach Pitino and think it would be in the best interests of all, if he retired. I cannot see how he can publicly recruit others and, more importantly, lead young men, when he is so flawed in character himself. It is a sad day for all sports, not just basketball! [ Reply to Comment ]
pditty Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Sep 11, 2006	Posted on: August 13, 2009 12:37 am Score: 81 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
UKisKing Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: Apr 30, 2008	Posted on: August 13, 2009 12:52 am Score: 46 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too I am SHOCKED that the University of Louisville lowered itself to Pitino's standards by SUPPORTING these horrible acts by someone 'who has been a role model to countless youths'?!?! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ plain and simple. UL should be ASHAMED of themselves, even more than Rick Pitino for their actions today...standing beside him amongst this FBI mess speaks VOLUMES about Tom Jurich and the UL president. On the Courier Journal website, the Louisville based newspaper, nearly 40% of 15,000 votes are demanding UL fire him, with 30% percent wanting Rick to step down on his own, with only 27% wanting UL to support him. The people of Louisville are tired of these people thinking they live in a money protected bubble. SHAME! [ Reply to Comment ]
Lil Lute Reputation: 86 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 19, 2006	Posted on: August 13, 2009 1:08 am Score: 82 Zona wins again! Great recruiting class, coach who doesnt bang diner broads on the side of the road after a few Bug Lights... I still think that the parents in the hoods will still send their sons to Lville if it gives him a chance in the NBA draft, period. Theres steroids in baseball too, you know that? [ Reply to Comment ]
Lil Lute Reputation: 86 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 19, 2006	Posted on: August 13, 2009 1:10 am Score: 19 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Seriously. Thanks, Linda Cohn. [ Reply to Comment ]
Br0cSamson Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 17, 2008	Posted on: August 13, 2009 1:19 am Score: 51 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too He will be able to teach young men one thing, the importance of pulling out. [ Reply to Comment ]
TurdFerguson Reputation: 86 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 5, 2008	Posted on: August 13, 2009 1:49 am Score: 49 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too The word you are looking for is "drivel". Even with that word, your post makes no sense. [ Reply to Comment ]
Br0cSamson Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 17, 2008	Posted on: August 13, 2009 2:02 am Score: 30 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too You know, pulling his penis out of her vagina before he ejaculates. Or maybe you don't. [ Reply to Comment ]
LouisvileRedsox Reputation: 72 Level: Pro Since: Aug 2, 2008	Posted on: August 13, 2009 2:57 am Score: 70 Pitino affair will be a part of his future, too Any Kentucky fan saying darn near anything on this subject should be ignored!!! You just hired one of the, if not the most crooked coaches in NCAA basketball. If RP was still at UK you'd be making tons of "reasons" why this was OK. PS: I think RP should quit, it will only hurt the University of LOUISVILLE !!!! Let Willard take over this year then we'll go in like a viking and steal a damn good coach next year!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]

Gary Parrish

Parrish: The Thoughts