He's one of the best around. He took Providence to the Final Four and won an National Championship at Kentucky. Coached in one of the greatest college games ever - the East Regional Final vs Duke in the early '90's. He just wins and can produce Pro players. He fields good teams and has a strong philosophy on winning with a good book on the subject. He dabbled with the pros, failed and went back to where he's best in College. He'll be back in the Final Four soon enough.

Rick has only had less than awesome results on the NBA level. But in college there is none better and I wish he would return to UK and retire there someday. He is the other bookend, for now, of the real Kentucky hoops legend, opposite the "Ruppmeister". There is none better in today's college game.

I hate the guy because he went to Kentucky's super rival.Would coach K do that?? I love him because he rebuilt UK basketball with a passion when times were rough. Sure would like his motivation back at UK but that's life.

Gotta give him at least 5... Since I keep telling everyone he's the next head coach of the Orange. Need someone good to replace Jimmy when he finally retires... lets hope that aint for another 30 years ;-)

Unsportsmanlike coach...runs scores up on a regular basis. Not loyal AT ALL. Plus, hes not a great dresser.

Even though he left us, I still love Rick.

Terrific coach, but too smug. I'd like to see him step ouf othsoe Italian loafers and swap the fancy suits and ties for overalls.

Fair coach, great ego, Louisville can keep him!

heck of a coach

When coach K was looking at the Lakers coach Petino was the one that came into my mind first as a possible replacement. He can flat out coach and for all you Kentucky fans grow up! Coach Petino did you right and I say he is paying you back for bashing him when he left for the NBA!

Yes the guy can flat out coach. But he is too full of himself too ever be loyal too anybody besides himself.

I'll be honest, Pitino is a good coach, I just dont like the school he is coaching for and I cannot believe that he would turn against UK and coach at U of L. Rick- Do you always have to make people mad?

C'MON GUYS ,DON'T HATE

Rick Pitino is the premiere coach in the NCAA. Look what he has done at Louisville in just two years. Look what he has done everywhere in two years in the NCAA. The Cards were ranked as high as number 2 this year... Then NCAA looks at Stone, Myles injury, did they fold? No! they won the conference tourney. Why? Because coaching. Watch how fast Rick moves up this next year...

OK I am BIG BLUE to the CORE!!! I have to say Pitino is one of the top five coaches in NCAA basketball today. His falure at the Celtic was only a result of his players money going to their head. Pitino knows how to motivate his players, play tenacious D, use the 3 to open up the inside, and also how to get his team to join in on his game plan for the season. I only hope that he does not rest on his past performance as Crum did in the 90's and that Pitino will always recruit, practice, and coach as he did at UK! THE CAT's will always be the team everyone wants to play, beat, and BE. If UL will come to our level year after year this area will be the NCAA basketball center instead of Durham NC.

Better than most on the list.

Go Cards!

TELLS THE BIGGEST LIES TO THE FANS AND BALL PLAYERS IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL....WILL SELL HIS WIFE OUT IF THE MONEY IS RIGHT....MADE THE BIGGEST COACHING BLUNDER IN COLLEGE HISTORY IN 1992 (FINAL PLAY IN THE UK VS DUKE GAME) VOTED TURKEY COACH OF THAT YEAR,,,,

Rick Pitino is a flat out traitor and he should be tarred and feathered, you can discuss this at Dynasty Defenders http://katman2000.proboards.com/

Kentucky can make even this bum look good! He needs to read his book. What a fake!

Celtics

A very influential guy.

I agree with "Munson." On a personal level, I find Pitino to be slightly annoying. Not sure if it's the smugness or the slickness, but it's something. And at the same time, I have to agree that he's one of the best college coaches in the game. The turn-around he pulled off at Kentucky was really, really impressive. As a Michigan fan, I'm disappointed that he chose Louisville as his next stop. I would have loved to have seen what he could have done in Ann Arbor.

I'm not sure how much I like Pitino and it sure was nice to see him get humbled with the Celtics, but there is no denying that he is one of the best college basketball coaches in the NCAA history. He will resurrect the Louisville program which probably would have been successful next year anyway (young team and good recruiting class). I think it's also kind of funny to see how Kentucky fans are crying that he is a traitor.