NCAA Basketball: Ranking best head coaching hires from the year 2001

2. Rick Pitino (Louisville)

For thirty years, Denny Crum masterfully led the Louisville program, picking up a pair of national championships along the way. When he retired in 2001, the Cardinals were still in pretty solid shape, tasking the next head coach the responsibility of maintaining this program for the future. They could have gone in a number of directions with the hire, but we’re pretty sure they have no regrets about tabbing Rick Pitino.

Even before coming to Louisville, Pitino was already one of the biggest names in the coaching world. His career had taken him around the country, including stints as head coach at Hawaii and Boston University, while also leading Providence to the Final Four. He won a national championship with Kentucky in 1996 and spent time as head coach of both the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. His time with the Celtics came to an end in 2001 and eager to return to the college game landed at Louisville.

Though much of his success was vacated due to scandal, Pitino did win a redacted national championship in 2013 and led the Cardinals to three Final Fours. The Cardinals were regularly one of college basketball’s best teams, making seven trips to at least the Sweet Sixteen during his tenure. Many within the program surely regret how things transpired and ended with Pitino, but it’s hard to find anyone who’d trade that level of success that Pitino brought to Louisville.