Richard Pitino heading to Florida

by Mike Rutherford on Apr 18, 2009 11:14 AM EDT in Basketball

According to Fox Sports' Jeff Goodman.

Louisville assistant coach Richard Pitino is headed to Gainesville to join Billy Donovan's staff at Florida.

According to sources close to the situation, Pitino — the son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino — will leave his father's program.

The elder Pitino coached Donovan back at Providence.

An official announcement could come as early as Monday.

This is a great move for the younger Pitino, who already has some buzz around his name but needs to prove he can get the job done at a major program not coached by his father before he lands a head coaching job. Either that, or Andre McGee's "Little Rick" comment really rubbed him the wrong way.

Best of luck to Richard in Gainesville.

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a great recruiter that will be missed

but replaced in about 12 seconds just like RP’s other 68 asst coaches at UL before him.

by UL is my hot hot sex on Apr 18, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

At first I was caught off guard

But this really was a great move. Still going to a big program but now can get out of his dad’s shadow, makes perfect sense to me

by sam34gtr on Apr 18, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

good for him....

he is a great recruiter and it’s a great move for him – awesome learning under his Dad and now working under one of his Dad’s proteges….Florida is probably a fun place to coach…is that what he will be doing? Will he be an assistant coach or will he continue to recruit. Good Luck, Richard.

by Linda on Apr 18, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions