PHILADELPHIA– The Rick Pitino era at Louisville is officially over.
The school’s athletic board voted unanimously to fire the Hall of Fame coach despite arguments earlier Monday from his lawyers that Pitino had no knowledge of activities alleged in an FBI investigation.
The University of Louisville Athletic Association met for five hours before making the decision to fire him with cause, that it could use to wipe out any hopes he had of walking away with all or most of a $44 million buyout from his contract. Pitino did not attend the meeting, but his lawyers submitted an affidavit on his behalf.
“We listened carefully to what they said,” U of L interim president Greg Postel said in a statement. “We read carefully everything they gave us in the booklet of materials, and at the end of the conversation, we felt our initial decision to begin the process of termination for cause was still in the best interest of the university, and that’s why the resolution was put forward and passed.
“This isn’t just a single reason. There were a number of issues that, over time, were brought to our attention. And we simply felt this was in the best interest of the university, and make the decision at this point in time.”
After the vote, Adidas terminated his personal services contract with Pitino.
Pitino has $44 million remaining in salary and bonuses in a contract extension through the 2025-26 season. The board did not discuss a buyout or settlement that could have a financial impact on the school.
Pitino was placed on administrative leave Sept. 27 after the program was linked to the FBI investigation into fraud and corruption in college basketball. The allegations against Louisville include payments of $100,000 to the family of an unnamed player to sign with the Cards. The player is believed to be Brian Bowen, a McDonald’s All American, who committed to the Ville in June. Bowen was suspended indefinitely shortly after the news broke.
Even if Pitino, who had the best group of assistants in the country when he was at Kentucky, was not directly involved in the latest allegations, he made some disastrous hires on his staff. Andre McGhee, a former player, was linked to the infamous pay for sex scandal that put Louisville on probation last summer and assistant Jordan Fair was fired in the wake of FBI investigation.
This is a sad way for Pitino to end a once glorious college coaching career. If he wants to coach again, he will likely have to do it in the NBA.
