When you're the son of Future Hall-of-Famer and Louisville Basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino: Success is going to come your way, and it's just a matter of time.
That time is now for Former Louisville Assistant Coach Richard Pitino. Pitino- Richard that is- announced Sunday that he would replace Isiah Thomas as Florida International's Head Coach.
Richard Pitino begun his coaching career, when he was hired as an administrative assistant, under Tom Herrion at the College of Charleston in 2004. In 2005, he was hired as an assistant coach by Ron Everhart at Northeastern University, he followed Everhart to Duquense University the following year. Then, in 2007, Pitino was hired by his father Rick Pitino at Louisville. He accepted a position at the University of Florida in 2009, only to return to Louisville as an assistant coach two years later.
Pitino served as a vital part in Louisville's Final Four run this year. He was praised for his great scouting through-out the season. Additionally, he was recently noted as being a major reason that Louisville defeated Florida in the Elite Eight.
Head Coach Rick Pitino said he was "delighted" for his son, but added that he miss him at Louisville as well.
I spoke with a source, that talked with Pitino at Louisville International Airport, he was catching a flight to Florida to officially be introduced Monday.
Florida International gets a great coach in Richard and I expect nothing but success for him. He leaves Louisville with quite a void to fill, Richard Pitino was a masterful scout and it's tough to replace someone like that. It wouldn't surprise me to see a former player like Walter McCarty and Andre McGee promoted. However, Rick Pitino has an extensive coaching tree left in the NCAA's, so it wouldn't surprise me to see one of those guys receive a call from Pitino either.
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