Former Boston Celtics and Louisville Cardinals coach Rick Pitino is heading to Europe after agreeing to take over Panathinaikos, one of the continent’s most accomplished clubs. The news was confirmed to ESPN by Pitino’ agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Pitino, who left the University of Louisville in 2017, said earlier this year that he wants to return to coaching in the NBA. According to ESPN‘s insider Adrian Worjanowski, the 66-year-old views the job with Panathinaikos as a great stepping stone towards his goal.

The Greek club currently finds itself in a tight position in Europe’s most prestigious basketball competition EuroLeague, where they are currently on the 10th spot with 6-7 record.

Considering the fact that Panathinaikos is expected to make a deep run for the EuroLeague titled each year, Rick Pitino will face a tough job to turn the season around. His debut is expected on December 27.

Pitino had several coaching stints in the NBA during his career, serving as an assistant coach and head coach of the New York Knicks, while also being in charge with the Celtics. His NBA coaching record is 192-220.

However, he was more accomplished at the college level, where he won two NCAA Championships with Kentucky and Louisville.

The post Rick Pitino Agrees to Take Over Europe’s Power House Panathinaikos appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After parting ways with the University of Louisville in October 2017, Rick Pitino is ready to get back to coaching basketball. This time, however, the 66-year-old is looking towards NBA rather than college basketball.

Pitino recently told ESPN that he is currently studying NBA, and is hoping to become a candidate for open coaching jobs in the league in spring.

“I just want to be a part of an organization,” – said Pitino. “I want to develop young players. I want to be part of a team. I miss it terribly. I’m using this time to really study the NBA. If something opens up with a young basketball team, I’d have deep interest in it.“

Pitino believes his experience of coaching at college will give him an advantage when it comes to potential job opportunities in NBA.

“I think the league is going to get younger and player development will become even more important to every organization. That’s my forte. I believe I can help an organization find a pathway to success.” – he added.

Rick Pitino already has experience coaching in the NBA, serving as a head coach for New York Knicks from 1983 to 1985 and Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001. During his time with the Knicks, he led the team to two playoff appearances, posting a 90-74 record. Pitino was less successful with the Celtics, failing to reach playoffs in his four years spent in Boston.

The post Former Louisville Coach Rick Pitino Hoping to Get an NBA Job appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After Rick Pitino was fired in October 2017, Louisville Cardinals finally got their head coach. According to multiple reports, Xavier men’s basketball coach Chris Mack will be joining the University of Louisville basketball program, agreeing to a seven-year, $4 million a year deal. Although the deal hasn’t been officially confirmed by the Cardinals, Mack already said goodbye to Xavier via a statement posted on his Twitter profile.

“No other opportunity has ever felt ‘right,’ until now.” – wrote Mack in a statement. “Ultimately, I felt like this situation offered a new and unique challenge that I could not turn down. I love Xavier. I will miss my players, the students, the administration and everyone associated with my alma mater. Thanks to Father Graham, Greg Christopher and the entire Xavier community for believing in me in good times and bad. Like every former player from X, I will be cheering for the Muskies every chance I get, especially on that night once a year we beat those guys from Clifton.“

Thank You Xavier! pic.twitter.com/qXjvfko6UN

— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) March 27, 2018

Chris Mack spent the past nine seasons with the Musketeers and reached NCAA tournament on eight occasions. This season the team has won the Big East regular-season title, clinching number one seed before suffering an upsetting defeat from Florida State in the second round.

“I want to thank Chris Mack for his exceptional work with the Xavier basketball program over the last 14 years, including the last nine years as our head coach,”- said Xavier AD Greg Christopher in a statement. “We wish Chris the best of luck as he attacks a new challenge.”

After Rick Pitino’s exit, assistant coach David Padgett took over the Louisville Cardinals on an interim basis and almost took the team to NCAA tournament. However, Cardinals were left out on Selection Sunday and played out their season in the NIT.

The post Louisville Cardinals Agree to a Deal with Xavier Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mack appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Former Boston Celtics and Louisville Cardinals coach Rick Pitino is heading to Europe after agreeing to take over Panathinaikos, one of the continent’s most accomplished clubs. The news was confirmed to ESPN by Pitino’ agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Pitino, who left the University of Louisville in 2017, said earlier this year that he wants to return to coaching in the NBA. According to ESPN‘s insider Adrian Worjanowski, the 66-year-old views the job with Panathinaikos as a great stepping stone towards his goal.

The Greek club currently finds itself in a tight position in Europe’s most prestigious basketball competition EuroLeague, where they are currently on the 10th spot with 6-7 record.

Considering the fact that Panathinaikos is expected to make a deep run for the EuroLeague titled each year, Rick Pitino will face a tough job to turn the season around. His debut is expected on December 27.

Pitino had several coaching stints in the NBA during his career, serving as an assistant coach and head coach of the New York Knicks, while also being in charge with the Celtics. His NBA coaching record is 192-220.

However, he was more accomplished at the college level, where he won two NCAA Championships with Kentucky and Louisville.

The post Rick Pitino Agrees to Take Over Europe’s Power House Panathinaikos appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After parting ways with the University of Louisville in October 2017, Rick Pitino is ready to get back to coaching basketball. This time, however, the 66-year-old is looking towards NBA rather than college basketball.

Pitino recently told ESPN that he is currently studying NBA, and is hoping to become a candidate for open coaching jobs in the league in spring.

“I just want to be a part of an organization,” – said Pitino. “I want to develop young players. I want to be part of a team. I miss it terribly. I’m using this time to really study the NBA. If something opens up with a young basketball team, I’d have deep interest in it.“

Pitino believes his experience of coaching at college will give him an advantage when it comes to potential job opportunities in NBA.

“I think the league is going to get younger and player development will become even more important to every organization. That’s my forte. I believe I can help an organization find a pathway to success.” – he added.

Rick Pitino already has experience coaching in the NBA, serving as a head coach for New York Knicks from 1983 to 1985 and Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001. During his time with the Knicks, he led the team to two playoff appearances, posting a 90-74 record. Pitino was less successful with the Celtics, failing to reach playoffs in his four years spent in Boston.

The post Former Louisville Coach Rick Pitino Hoping to Get an NBA Job appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After Rick Pitino was fired in October 2017, Louisville Cardinals finally got their head coach. According to multiple reports, Xavier men’s basketball coach Chris Mack will be joining the University of Louisville basketball program, agreeing to a seven-year, $4 million a year deal. Although the deal hasn’t been officially confirmed by the Cardinals, Mack already said goodbye to Xavier via a statement posted on his Twitter profile.

“No other opportunity has ever felt ‘right,’ until now.” – wrote Mack in a statement. “Ultimately, I felt like this situation offered a new and unique challenge that I could not turn down. I love Xavier. I will miss my players, the students, the administration and everyone associated with my alma mater. Thanks to Father Graham, Greg Christopher and the entire Xavier community for believing in me in good times and bad. Like every former player from X, I will be cheering for the Muskies every chance I get, especially on that night once a year we beat those guys from Clifton.“

Thank You Xavier! pic.twitter.com/qXjvfko6UN

— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) March 27, 2018

Chris Mack spent the past nine seasons with the Musketeers and reached NCAA tournament on eight occasions. This season the team has won the Big East regular-season title, clinching number one seed before suffering an upsetting defeat from Florida State in the second round.

“I want to thank Chris Mack for his exceptional work with the Xavier basketball program over the last 14 years, including the last nine years as our head coach,”- said Xavier AD Greg Christopher in a statement. “We wish Chris the best of luck as he attacks a new challenge.”

After Rick Pitino’s exit, assistant coach David Padgett took over the Louisville Cardinals on an interim basis and almost took the team to NCAA tournament. However, Cardinals were left out on Selection Sunday and played out their season in the NIT.

The post Louisville Cardinals Agree to a Deal with Xavier Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mack appeared first on SportzBonanza.