By ADAM ZAGORIA
Rick Pitino reaffirmed Thursday he’s not interested in coaching at UNLV despite persistent reports that he’s linked to the job.
“I root for UNLV every game,” Pitino said Thursday by text from Athens, where he’s currently residing after he coached Greek team Panathinaikos to a Greek Cup Championship. “I’m a big fan since the Tark days . But I now root for them every game because Marvin Menzies is like my younger brother. Neither I nor my agent have had any discussions with UNLV about coaching there. I’ll continue to root for my ex-assistant every game. Go Marv -Go Rebels.”
Pitino last week sent a similar text to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
On Wednesday night, Nevada fans taunted UNLV during the Wolf Pack’s 89-73 home victory by chanting “Rick Pi-tino” during the game. UNLV is currently 15-13, 9-7 in the Mountain West.
“Rick Pi-ti-no ??-??-??????” is the chant from the UNR student section during this break in the action
— Mike Grimala (@MikeGrimala) February 28, 2019
Pitino, 66, was fired at Louisville in the fall of 2017, but has never been directly linked to the Brian Bowen/Adidas scandal at the school.
His name figures to be linked to coaching openings going forward.
(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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