Friday's development is just another incident in a bizarre off-season for Pitino. After leading the Cardinals to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament, Pitino became involved in an extortion case with Karen Sypher, the estranged wife of a member of Pitino's staff. Pitino's son, Richard Pitino, a Louisville assistant, left his father's staff to take an open position on Billy Donovan's staff at Florida.
ESPN video:
Pitino has had two previous head coaching positions in the NBA -- one with the New York Knicks from 1987-1989, and another with the Boston Celtics from 1997-2001. He complied a record of 90-74 with the Knicks, and 102-146 with the Celtics.
The Kings have not spoken to Pitino about the position. Sacramento is expected to talk to former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis, and TNT NBA Analyst Mike Fratello about the position.
Fans are twittering their disgust about Pitino potentially going to the Kings:
gmacdaddy RT @RizzoTees: Rick Pitino not going to Sacremento Kings. Dude, give it up. You and NBA is like a fish on a bicycle - AMEN.
egholden To Rick Pitino: Please leave U of L and go to Sacramento. You left KY once- shouldn't be too hard for you to do again.
BR_NBA Rick Pitino Is Determined To Prove He Can Be Successful In The NBA: How determined? He's so determined to prove .. http://tinyurl.com/pjjaqt
janewberg Pitino to the Kings??
Tina_Fontessa he better not!!! RT @espn: Report: Rick Pitino interested in coaching Sacramento Kings - http://tinyurl.com/rcaog7
msutaria Not one for rumors, but the more I research the more I believe that Rick Pitino is going to leave his head coaching position at UofL!
BolivianNachos is upset that Rick Pitino had his people contact the Kings... Louisville NEEDS the GODFATHER!!!!
