Pitino on training future after loss: ‘Have no concept’
ALBANY, N.Y.– After the final game of his 3rd season at Iona, Rick Pitino said he didn’t understand whether he ‘d be back for a 4th– or if he ‘d be training someplace else.Will he stay at Iona, or will he go?” I actually do not have an answer to it, to be honest with you, “Pitino said.” I have no idea if it is or isn’t due to the fact that I have actually focused whatever on this game.”
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The 70-year-old Pitino, who reached the NCAA competition with Iona for the second time after a long, storied Hall of Fame profession at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and the NBA, remains St. John’s No. 1 target, sources informed ESPN’s Jeff Borzello on Friday.The two sides have actually had conversations, however no deal has been completed at this point, sources said, however the search has remained concentrated on Pitino and no other major candidates have actually emerged.On the court
, Pitino’s 13th-seeded Gaels hung tough with No. 4 UConn on Friday before falling 87-63.
For a half, it appeared like Pitino might have gotten his very first win as a double-digit seed as a head coach. Iona led UConn 39-37 at halftime, following what he called the best half his group has played all season.But that would not last. Connecticut more than doubled up Iona in the 2nd half, cruising to the win to send Pitino into the coaching concerns he fielded as typically the day before the Gaels’ first-round NCAA game as he did afterward.Before he arrived at the
podium for his postgame press conference here, Pitino strolled through the corridors of MVP Arena. He wished luck to a Drake basketball player– Drake and Miami were playing the following game– and then stopped to talk for a quick moment with P.J. Carlesimo, the previous Seton Hall head coach and existing ESPN radio analyst. Flanked by an armed police officer, Pitino walked by the Iona band before he encountered Connecticut coach Dan Hurley.He and Hurley embraced, and he told Hurley,”Win all of it.
Win it all. You’ve got the team to do it. “It’s something he had actually repeat minutes
in the future the dais, saying he thought the Huskies had the attributes in location to potentially win a national championship.Pitino stated he wasn’t becoming psychological on the podium when he was inquired about his future. He later spoke about being exonerated in the Louisville basketball scandal and how it took years away from his career. He stated he has valued his past– both the successes and the mistakes he made– and where he is now. On Thursday, Pitino stated he would think about training for another decade.Pitino had a 293-140 record at Louisville
with three Final Fours and a national championship; a 219-50 record at Kentucky with three Final Fours and a nationwide title; a 42-23 record at Providence with a Final Four; and a 91-51 record at Boston University following a six-game stint at Hawaii. He likewise coached in the NBA with the Knicks and Celtics and for 2 seasons in Greece at Panathinaikos.It all caused his past 3 seasons at Iona, where he went 64-22 with two NCAA tournament looks and may be on the relocation once again.” The present is where we’re at right now and it’s disappointing for my men
because they’re a terrific group of kids,”Pitino stated.”And the future, I truly have no concept what the future may bring due to the fact that I got to look at the grand scheme of features of winning, and winning is very crucial since all of us work so hard, every coach works so tough.” And we played practically a best game, best half of the season. “When he was pressed about whether or not he had a timeline to remain at Iona or go to St. John’s or perhaps even in other places, he once again had
no answer.”I actually have not put any thought into it at all. I hear the concern from you and I think when you begin planning ahead, you constantly fail,” Pitino said.
“We put a lot of effort into this game, and I don’t understand. I don’t understand if it’s best for me, another job. I do not know that.” Pitino then acknowledged the conversations around the St. John’s position prior to saying he has actually never seen St. John’s. Possibly he meant in its existing type, due to the fact that Pitino then released into a story about coaching against famous St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca in 1987. After informing the story– Pitino always has a story– he circled back to something that might show some of his thinking. “You don’t buy homes without taking a look at the garage, the upstairs, the cooking area and everything, “Pitino said.” You do not simply buy a house.” About 20 minutes later on, his news conference concluded, Pitino left– guard at his side, gaggle of media strolling behind him– stopping to briefly chat with a couple of media members before
entering the Iona locker space as his sports details director said he wouldn’t be doing anymore interviews.Was that the last time he’ll walk into Iona’s locker room after a game as the team’s head coach? Pitino said he doesn’t know. He does not have a schedule for it.