Pitino Rules Himself Out Of University Of Maryland's Coaching Search

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It remains to be seen who will replace Mark Turgeon as the University of Maryland men's basketball coach, but one thing is clear: it will not be Rick Pitino.

Pitino, the head coach of Iona College's program, put to rest any speculation that he would take the job with a tweet Thursday morning ruling himself out.

"The University of Maryland is one of the premier institutions of higher learning. It's basketball program can be among the nation's best. I hope they find the next great Gary Williams," Pitino tweeted. "I love coaching at Iona, and I'm totally committed to my players. It will not be me."

Pitino's remarks come a day after the hosts of The Sports Junkies, a radio show that airs in Washington, D.C., reported that Maryland is "heavily pursuing" him as its top choice for the job.

"He's their No. 1 choice," co-host Eric Bickel said. "They're going hard after him right now and there are a couple of honors that are leading the charge."

As a coach who knows how to win, including leading the University of Kentucky to an NCAA title in 1996, Pitino would have made a lot of sense to succeed Turgeon, who stepped down in December in what was described as a "mutual decision."

Assistant coach Danny Manning continues to lead the program after stepping into interim duties.

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• Rick Pitino
• University of Maryland
• NCAA