Minnesota fired male basketball coach Richard Pitino after eight seasons, the school announced on Monday. During his tenure, Pitino accumulated an overall record of 141-123. He took the program to two appearances in the NCAA tournament during that period, but his team ended with a losing record in four of his eight seasons in charge.
“I recently met with Richard and told him that we were going in a different direction,” said Minnesota sports director Mark Coyle in a statement. “Richard is a formidable person and trainer, and I want to thank him, Jill and his family for their commitment to Minnesota. We wish them all the best in their next venture.
“Decisions like this are never easy, but after evaluating this season and the previous eight years of our program under Richard, it is clear to me that new leadership is needed. We have one of the best practice facilities in the country, a local historic competition. and a state that produces high caliber talent. This is an extremely attractive job, and we will immediately start a nationwide search for our next head coach. ”
Adding a twist to the saga, Pitino’s median performance at work did not prevent him from having opportunities in the near future. Goodman additionally reported that Pitino is a finalist for the New Mexico position – along with former Nebraska coach Tim Miles – and that a decision from that program on who will fill the vacancy should be made in the next few days.
Pitino, 38, was signed by Minnesota in 2013 at age 31, after just one season of experience as a head coach at Florida International. There, he led the Panthers in their first winning season in 13 years. He also had previous experience as an assistant in Louisville, Florida, Duquesne and Northeastern.
Minnesota made 14-15 in the 2020-21 season and fell at the end of the year, losing eight of their nine final games to close the season. It was written on the wall that a separation of paths was probably imminent. Pitino knew this, as he would have been interviewed for a job in New Mexico and acknowledged the strange reality last week in a Press conference with an enlightening answer about your approach to all of this.
“Nothing bothers me,” he said. “What am I going to do, talk my way about things? That’s not what I do. I have respect for authority. That’s right. It’s not my decision. We all have bosses, okay. I have a great relationship with Mark. [Coyle]. If he gives me bad news, it doesn’t mean I’m going to turn a table or something. Life goes on.”
Minnesota’s decision to split from Pitino opens the second spot on the day’s Big Ten after Indiana fired coach Archie Miller on Monday. Miller trained the Hoosiers for four seasons, but was unable to guide the program for the NCAA Tournament.