Gophers Coach Pitino: 'I Am Very Happy At The U'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Amid much speculation that the University of Alabama was showing interest in him, Gopher men's basketball coach Richard Pitino seems to be staying put.
Pitino just finished his second season with the Gophers. The University of Alabama just let coach Anthony Grant go.
On Friday, Pitino released a statement: "With regard to the reports tying me to other collegiate men's coaching positions, let me simply say that I am very happy at the University of Minnesota. I am grateful to be coaching and living in such a great community that cares so much about this incredible university as well as its basketball program. I am also extremely fortunate to be working for one of the best athletic directors in the country in Norwood Teague. This state deserves a great basketball program and we are working extremely hard to bring them one."
Pitino has spent much of his time since the Gophers' season ended out on the recruiting trail and following his father, Rick Pitino, and the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA Tournament. Louisville had a chance to get to the Final Four, but lost to Michigan State.
This is the second straight year Pitino's name has been thrown out in head coaching vacancies and it's not the first time he's been liked to Alabama. In his first season with the Gophers, Pitino helped lead the program to an NIT title.