Pitino vs. Pitino game could be held on a military base
By Frank Bi
Dec 19, 2012; Louisville, KY, USA; Florida International Golden Panthers head coach Richard Pitino hugs his father, Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino, before the first half at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
A Richard Pitino versus Rick Pitino match up is in the works, confirmed the elder Pitino to a Louisville talk show this week.
According to the two-time NCAA national championship winning head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, if “everything goes according to Hoyle,” Minnesota and Louisville will open next season on a military base, possibly in Puerto Rico in front of a national television audience.
Rick added that no contracts have been signed, including his own for next season. Nevertheless, trash-talking between father and son has already started.
"“I said, ‘Richard, I’m thinking about it, I’m not sure it’s too good for you being at Minnesota to lose to Louisville at this stage of your career,'” Rick Pitino said.“He said, ‘Being the fact that you’re going to lose possibly Chane (Behanan), Montrezl (Harrell), Luke (Hancock) and Russ (Smith), it’s probably not too good for a Hall of Fame coach to lose to his son.“I said, ‘I can’t wait.’ I always use this line: ‘I never spanked you as a child. I can’t wait to spank you now.’ His thing is, ‘Bring it on Dad because you don’t have the team I’m going to have.’ “"
If the Gophers and Cardinals do square off next season, it won’t be the first time the Pitino’s have coached against one another. Last year, Richard’s Florida International University squad was routed by the Cardinals in Louisville, 79-55.
Here’s to hoping next year is different, or at least more competitive.