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.

Associated Press reported on Wednesday that University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich were placed on administrative leave by President Greg Postel. This is connected to the federal bribery investigation that currently shakes up college basketball. Steve Pence, Pitino’s attorney, spoke for Courier-Journal on Wednesday afternoon and said that Pitino is in fact “effectively fired.“

Postel’s decision came after the University of Louisville acknowledged that its basketball program is under FBI investigation for allegedly bribing recruits.

“I’m more angry than embarrassed,”- Postel said on Wednesday. “We will be looking for someone with integrity. … There’s no reason this team can’t have a good season.” He added that an interim coach would be announced within 48 hours.

In an ongoing investigation, 10 men were charged for college bribery scheme, including 4 basketball coaches and one Adidas executive. The investigation showed that “at least three top high school recruits were promised payments of as much as $150,000, using money supplied by Adidas, to attend two universities sponsored by the athletic shoe company.” Although court papers didn’t identify the school’s by name, they contained enough information to determine one is Louisville and other was Miami.

Rick Pitino coached NBA teams on two occasions, being HC of the New York Knicks (1987–1989) and Boston Celtics (1997–2001) before accepting the position at University of Louisville after Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum retired. In 2013 Pitino brought third NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships to Louisville after he already won it with Kentucky in 1996. This made him the only men’s coach in history who led two different programs to NCAA Championship. During his career as a collegiate head coach, Pitino has won 629 games and lost 234, which gives him .732 winning percentage (10th best from active coaches). Pitino was also elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

The post University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Pitino “Effectively Fired” 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.

Associated Press reported on Wednesday that University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich were placed on administrative leave by President Greg Postel. This is connected to the federal bribery investigation that currently shakes up college basketball. Steve Pence, Pitino’s attorney, spoke for Courier-Journal on Wednesday afternoon and said that Pitino is in fact “effectively fired.“

Postel’s decision came after the University of Louisville acknowledged that its basketball program is under FBI investigation for allegedly bribing recruits.

“I’m more angry than embarrassed,”- Postel said on Wednesday. “We will be looking for someone with integrity. … There’s no reason this team can’t have a good season.” He added that an interim coach would be announced within 48 hours.

In an ongoing investigation, 10 men were charged for college bribery scheme, including 4 basketball coaches and one Adidas executive. The investigation showed that “at least three top high school recruits were promised payments of as much as $150,000, using money supplied by Adidas, to attend two universities sponsored by the athletic shoe company.” Although court papers didn’t identify the school’s by name, they contained enough information to determine one is Louisville and other was Miami.

Rick Pitino coached NBA teams on two occasions, being HC of the New York Knicks (1987–1989) and Boston Celtics (1997–2001) before accepting the position at University of Louisville after Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum retired. In 2013 Pitino brought third NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships to Louisville after he already won it with Kentucky in 1996. This made him the only men’s coach in history who led two different programs to NCAA Championship. During his career as a collegiate head coach, Pitino has won 629 games and lost 234, which gives him .732 winning percentage (10th best from active coaches). Pitino was also elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

The post University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Coach Rick Pitino “Effectively Fired” appeared first on SportzBonanza.