Despite enduring numerous scandals, Rick Pitino has seldom been averse to the media in his career, and on Sunday he publicly commented not through a written statement on behalf of himself or his legal team, but directly to a news outlet. Pitino was put on unpaid administrative leave by Louisville last Wednesday after an FBI investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball included nefarious activity by at least one Louisville coach, according to federal claims.
Pitino's contract mandates a 10-day window before he can be terminated from duty as Louisville's coach. He could be be officially fired by the university soon and from there, a legal battle could ensue.
He will not go down without a fight. Pitino's most recent comments on the matter are to the Louisville Courier-Journal, in which he told reporter Jeff Greer he "will be vindicated" when this saga is fully sorted out.
"Right now it's in the lawyers' hands," Pitino said in a brief phone interview. "I went to Miami. I'm selling my house (in Louisville). I love David Padgett. I love the boys. I hope they win the national championship. I'm not doing anything but laying low."
Padgett was promoted to interim head coach Friday. Pitino is the only member of Louisville's staff who has been removed from his post.
One point of interest in regard to Pitino and the FBI's investigation deals with "Coach-2" talking with James Gatto, who was the head of global marketing for Adidas basketball. CBS News first reported Friday morning that "Coach-2" is believed to be Pitino. The context of the conversations between "Coach-2" and Gatto are not publicly known. The phone calls came days before Brian Bowen, a five-star prospect who did not have interest in Louisville until the final weeks of his recruitment, pledged to play for the Cardinals.
Bowen has been removed from all athletic activities for the time being. His eligibility hangs in the balance, and he's hired an attorney to sort through the matter.
As for the Pitino conversation with Gatto, he told the Courier-Journal he was discussing Terry Rozier's professional Adidas deal. Rozier played for Louisville under Pitino from 2013-15 and currently plays for the Boston Celtics.
Asked if he is the "Coach 2" listed in the FBI's criminal complaint released Tuesday, as a law enforcement source confirmed to the USA TODAY Network and the Courier-Journal, Pitino said it "doesn't matter if I am or not."
Pitino said he has "(zero) to do with any of it and I'll be vindicated."
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The longtime coach also said he is "absolutely not" concerned about potential legal problems related to the FBI and U.S. Attorney's investigation.
Pitino's lawyer maintains his client is not under criminal scrutiny in the federal investigation.
Louisville had its first official practices of the season over the weekend. Jordan Fair and Kenny Johnson remain in their roles as Cardinals assistants. Louisville interim president Greg Postel is expected to name an interim athletic director any day, and that person will determine the status of Fair and Johnson. Remember, the FBI's investigation alleges a Louisville assistant coach met with others charged in the case in Las Vegas in July to discuss payment to the family of a 2019 prospect.
