1. #1
    jjgold
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    Pitinio Maybe At UNLV Next Year??

    By Matt Youmans
    Las Vegas Review-Journal


    It might be fantasy, but now is the time for that. This is the beginning stage of a search for the next UNLV basketball coach, a search expected to extend at least two more months, and the right answer when it ends could be Rick Pitino.
    Many observers will immediately dismiss the idea as laughable and unrealistic. But there are some reasons to entertain the possibility.
    First and foremost, a source with connections to Pitino insists he is interested in the job, 15 years after his brief flirtation with Las Vegas. He went to Louisville in March 2001 and has not looked back — until now.
    The time might be right for Pitino, 63, to make a move. He has survived well-publicized scandals and fought to escape the shadow of Kentucky coach John Calipari. Pitino coached the Cardinals to an NCAA championship in 2013, adding to his national title with the Wildcats in 1996, so what more is left for him to achieve?
    He could be the king of Vegas and revive a program that has enjoyed few high times since late coach Jerry Tarkanian was forced out in 1992. If Pitino is looking for a challenge, and also in need of a city with basketball bloodlines and bright lights, this is it.
    The Rebels have essentially bottomed out, missing the postseason the past two years and failing to win an NCAA Tournament game since 2008. The inability to compete for a Mountain West title spelled doom for Dave Rice, who was fired Sunday in the middle of his fifth season.
    If Rice and his staff proved something, it's that elite recruits will flock to UNLV. Pitino would have no problems with recruiting.
    One of Pitino's longtime friends in the coaching profession is Lon Kruger, who led the Rebels from 2004 to 2011. Kruger is the only post-Tarkanian coach to win an NCAA game at UNLV, where he reached the Sweet 16 and went 30-7 in the 2006-07 season.
    Kruger left for Oklahoma, which offered a lot more money than UNLV had available, and money is why the Pitino-to-UNLV idea will be dismissed by so many.
    In June, Louisville extended Pitino's contract through 2025-26. His salary for this season is $4.4 million, and it increases to $5.1 million in 2016-17. His 10-year extension is reportedly worth close to $51 million.
    There seems to be no way UNLV could compete with those dollar figures. Rice's contract was worth $700,000 per year, and speculation is the Rebels' next coach could make around $1 million annually.
    Still, Pitino has several influential friends in Las Vegas, and if the most powerful boosters are serious about returning the program to the big time, it's time for the deepest-pocketed boosters and some of the university's clumsy administrators to lose a small-time mentality and shoot for a major star.
    Even if the cost is around $4 million per year?
    "If Pitino is interested, the money would be there," a source close to UNLV said Friday.
    Time will tell if that's true, and if Pitino is serious about a move.
    UNLV does offer one of college basketball's finest practice facilities, the Mendenhall Center, and one of the nation's largest arenas, the Thomas & Mack Center.
    It might also offer a future for Pitino's son. The source who stated Pitino's interest in the job also said he might want to include Richard Pitino, who is struggling in his third season at Minnesota, on his staff and tap him as the Rebels' coach-in-waiting.
    Richard Pitino, 33, is a promising coach and potential star, but he's stuck at a bottom-tier Big Ten program in a situation that appears hopeless.
    All things considered, maybe there is hope for this version of the Pitino-to-UNLV story. Fifteen years ago, it was a failure. But this sequel could prove better than the original. It's at least worth debating as the search continues.
    A look at other candidates (in alphabetical order):
    • Mike Brown: The former NBA head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers is being mentioned by local and national media, but multiple sources have said Brown is not getting serious consideration.
    • Larry Eustachy: It's rare for coaches to move within a conference. However, the Colorado State coach can expect a call from the 702 area code. Although a quirky character, there's no doubt he can coach.
    • Tim Floyd: Similar to Eustachy, Floyd knows X's and O's. He won at Iowa State and Southern California, had NBA stops in Chicago and New Orleans, and might be ready to leave Texas-El Paso. His troubles with the NCAA were relatively minor, and the truth is most coaches carry some baggage.
    • Doug Gottlieb: An analyst for CBS Sports, he is openly campaigning for the job despite no head-coaching experience. Put him in the long-shot category.
    • Steve Henson: His time to be a head coach is coming soon. The Oklahoma assistant was on Kruger's staff at UNLV.
    • Steve Lavin: Some boosters are promoting Lavin, the former UCLA and St. John's coach, and he has a shot. If Rice's personality was considered too bland, Lavin is the opposite. He fits the Vegas image.
    • Dan Majerle: The three-time NBA All-Star is rising as a coaching prospect at Grand Canyon. His team beat San Diego State this season, something the Rebels have not done recently. His candidacy is intriguing.
    • Marvin Menzies: He has valuable connections here, after spending the 2004-05 season on Kruger's staff. Menzies has been a consistent winner at New Mexico State while working with few financial resources.
    • Leon Rice: Boise State's coach has built one of the Mountain West's best basketball programs at a football school. Football is only a rumor at UNLV, and so far Rice's candidacy is mentioned only as a rumor.
    • Kelvin Sampson: He took Oklahoma to the Final Four in 2002. He was fired at Indiana in 2008 because of NCAA violations. He has resurfaced at Houston, where he's winning. He's shady, but he's good, and he's probably going to get a serious look.
    • Todd Simon: With a strong finish to the season — meaning a conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament — the Rebels' interim coach has a chance to land the job. The 35-year-old's audition is off to a strong start.
    • Reggie Theus: A finalist when Rice was hired in 2011, Theus has not been a success in his current coaching stop at Cal State Northridge. The program has been investigated and penalized for academic fraud. One of UNLV's greatest players, Theus will need to clear his name and talk his way into the job. He's a former Pitino assistant and NBA head coach. There are boosters who still strongly support him.
    • Brad Underwood: This is an under-the-radar name. Underwood is 71-13 in his third season at Stephen F. Austin. He's a graduate of Kansas State, where there could be a vacancy this spring.
    • John Welch: Here's an option from the Tarkanian coaching tree. Welch played for the Rebels from 1985-86, coached under Tarkanian at UNLV and Fresno State and is an assistant to George Karl with the Sacramento Kings.
    • Jay Wright: Is he ready to leave Villanova? Is the price right? Highly unlikely. But he was a Rebels assistant from 1992 to 1994, so he gets mentioned. He's making a reported $2.7 million per year. If Pitino is really interested, is pursuing Wright a fantasy?


  2. #2
    existential
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    would be awesome

  3. #3
    TiredPro
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    Plenty of hookers and strippers for recruits and himself. Seems like a can't miss.

  4. #4
    jjgold
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    I think a hoops gold mine with right coach

  5. #5
    Ra77er
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    Dude this would be amazing for the Rebels

  6. #6
    astro61200
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    As a Louisville fan, graduate, and native I can say this with complete certainty: There is 0% chance of Pitino leaving for any other job.

  7. #7
    Snowball
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    Pitino belongs back in the NBA
    there are too many scrub NBA coaches.

  8. #8
    Louisvillekid1
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    Larry Euhstacy would be an excellent hire...

  9. #9
    jjgold
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    RIcky going to get run out of Louisville

    Also he cannot recruit there meaning getting the top studs any longer

    He will be gone

  10. #10
    Louisvillekid1
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    RIcky going to get run out of Louisville

    Also he cannot recruit there meaning getting the top studs any longer

    He will be gone
    lol

    I don't feel like typing right now...

    Or else, i'd bury you...

    fukkin clown...

  11. #11
    jjgold
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    Cards cannot win any titles anymore

    Ricky knows it

    They get second hand KU , Kentucky, Duke and NC players

  12. #12
    astro61200
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Cards cannot win any titles anymore

    Ricky knows it

    They get second hand KU , Kentucky, Duke and NC players
    Elite 8 in 3 of the last 4 seasons.. Won the NC in 2013. Came to Louisville because he loves being in Kentucky. Coaching a top 10 all time program.

    There is absolutely no reason to even entertain the idea. It won't be brought up in Louisville because there is zero percent chance of him leaving. Literally, zero percent.

  13. #13
    Louisvillekid1
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    Quote Originally Posted by astro61200 View Post
    Elite 8 in 3 of the last 4 seasons.. Won the NC in 2013. Came to Louisville because he loves being in Kentucky. Coaching a top 10 all time program.

    There is absolutely no reason to even entertain the idea. It won't be brought up in Louisville because there is zero percent chance of him leaving. Literally, zero percent.
    Don't waste your time, this costa rican poster has no clue how to pronounce Louisville ....

    GO cards!

  14. #14
    jjgold
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    Scandal after scandal

    Alumni wants him out as do big doners

  15. #15
    Louisvillekid1
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Scandal after scandal

    Alumni wants him out as do big doners
    Seriously go fukk a chimpanaze or whatever the fukk you guys do in Costa Rica when broke...

    Hey' lets copy and paste an article to stir things up, great idea...

    I am a donor to the program, and you have no clue...

    How about using your own words, w/o emoij's to explain why you think a guy who loves horse racing at his age will leave for the UNLV...

    You are an $8 hour scab, sir/maam..

    so Politely speaking, go fukk yourself...

  16. #16
    astro61200
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Scandal after scandal

    Alumni wants him out as do big doners

  17. #17
    Ralphie Halves
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    Probably won't happen, but people do want the job. Doug Gottlieb wants it, but he has no coaching experience and probably won't. Steve Lapas and Reggie Theus would stop whatever they're doing and take the job in a heartbeat, for less than a mil/year.

  18. #18
    Louisvillekid1
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ralphie Halves View Post
    Probably won't happen, but people do want the job. Doug Gottlieb wants it, but he has no coaching experience and probably won't. Steve Lapas and Reggie Theus would stop whatever they're doing and take the job in a heartbeat, for less than a mil/year.
    You have been one of the best posters on this site, when you decide to place your finger tips on the keys...

    This is prob the worst usage of words, ive seen you utilize...

    Doug Gottlieb is a joke, he can't play/coach/or operate a radio show...

    Steve lapas/Reggie theus wouldn't be bad choices though,

    always enjoy your posting...

  19. #19
    jjgold
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    Theus would be good

    Players would go there

    The Kid knows the game

  20. #20
    Louisvillekid1
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    The game would be better, if Running rebels were relevant...

    The shark is rollin over in his grave, w/ recent performance...

    Since your not gettin laid, go ahead and watch the Herren 30 for 30

  21. #21
    existential
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    Kelvin Sampson and Steve Henson are the best candidates by far

  22. #22
    Louisvillekid1
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  23. #23
    Ralphie Halves
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    Quote Originally Posted by Louisvillekid1 View Post
    You have been one of the best posters on this site, when you decide to place your finger tips on the keys...

    This is prob the worst usage of words, ive seen you utilize...

    Doug Gottlieb is a joke, he can't play/coach/or operate a radio show...

    Steve lapas/Reggie theus wouldn't be bad choices though,

    always enjoy your posting...

    1) I'm drinking, be nice

    2) I didn't say I wanted any of them. I want to see how this interim does first. Team responding well to him so far.

  24. #24
    Louisvillekid1
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    Last edited by Louisvillekid1; 01-16-16 at 10:45 PM.

  25. #25
    Louisvillekid1
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    I can't embed for some reason, but zero chance flipper knows who that is...

    lets go packers!

  26. #26
    Ralphie Halves
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    Quote Originally Posted by louisvillekid1 View Post
    i can't embed for some reason, but zero chance flipper knows who that is...
    rip, 2015
    Nomination(s):
    This post was nominated 1 time . To view the nominated thread please click here. People who nominated: Louisvillekid1

  27. #27
    astro61200
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ralphie Halves View Post
    Probably won't happen, but people do want the job. Doug Gottlieb wants it, but he has no coaching experience and probably won't. Steve Lapas and Reggie Theus would stop whatever they're doing and take the job in a heartbeat, for less than a mil/year.
    Of course people want it, but the chances of Pitino leaving are about the same as Sean Miller leaving Arizona, Bill Self leaving Kansas, or Roy Williams leaving UNC.

    0%

  28. #28
    Ralphie Halves
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    Quote Originally Posted by astro61200 View Post
    Of course people want it, but the chances of Pitino leaving are about the same as Sean Miller leaving Arizona, Bill Self leaving Kansas, or Roy Williams leaving UNC.

    0%
    1) He may not have a choice

    2) Self is on the warm-seat, and will get hotter if KU keeps getting bounced form the tournament early.

  29. #29
    astro61200
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ralphie Halves View Post
    1) He may not have a choice

    2) Self is on the warm-seat, and will get hotter if KU keeps getting bounced form the tournament early.
    Next week this writer will say that John Calipari is a leading candidate. Also, Phil Jackson has some interest. Maybe even Gregg Popovich. Then they'll end up with an assistant moving up or a low-major guy.

  30. #30
    astro61200
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    Just read the article, gave me a laugh. Trying to talk up the facilities like that would be a drawing point. Ignoring the fact that Louisville has one of the nicest arenas in all of CBB, their facilities are second to none.

    Talk about click bait. Nice ploy to try and get people to visit his article. Jay Wright and Rick Pitino have no business being on there. Hell, even Richard Pitino has no business being on there. This writer needs to GTFO.

  31. #31
    astro61200
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    Now, I'm done discussing this because it's way too much of a pipe dream. (Oh, and jj, Louisville has a pretty solid chance of making a deep run this year in the tournament)

    I'll let Dickie V sum it up:

    No way RICK PITINO will be the next coach of UNLV / I have a better chance of being a sex sympol in Hollywood!

  32. #32
    Ralphie Halves
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    Quote Originally Posted by astro61200 View Post
    Next week this writer will say that John Calipari is a leading candidate. Also, Phil Jackson has some interest. Maybe even Gregg Popovich. Then they'll end up with an assistant moving up or a low-major guy.
    I think that's the fun part about it -- Let's see what the interest really is. I never said somebody of that caliber would want to come to UNLV, not sure where that came from. We'll see if the UNLV name still carries, even though it shouldn't -- just like Hurricanes Football.

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