Kentucky Basketball: 20 candidates to replace John Calipari as Head Coach
By Joey Loose
Rick Pitino
You’re reading that correctly: Pitino would actually be an interesting name for the Wildcats. It’s been nearly thirty years since Pitino led the Wildcats to the national title and later left for the NBA, but the longtime head coach could end his career with one last reign at Kentucky.
Pitino has helmed seven D1 colleges, two NBA franchises, and has won a lot of games throughout 50 years of coaching. He made the Final Four at Providence before winning national titles at both Kentucky and Louisville. That recent scandal at Louisville forced him out of the game until bouncing back most recently at Iona and St. John’s. His Red Storm just missed on the Big Dance this season but looked improved in year one under his control.
In all seriousness, bringing Pitino back to Lexington is not a realistic move. Hiring a 71-year old former head coach for one last ride sounds great in theory and might unify Wildcats past and present, but there are much better candidates available to Kentucky. He’d certainly be a dynamic rehire and St. John’s would miss him, but don’t count on a Pitino reunion.