Richard Pitino didn\u2019t stay unemployed long. Less than 24 hours after being let go by Minnesota, Pitino became the head coach of New Mexico.<\/p>\n
There are other things happening in college basketball besides March Madness<\/a>. Some schools are conducting business while both the men and women are poised to begin their much anticipated, much-needed tournaments.<\/p>\n On Monday, Minnesota fired men\u2019s head basketball coach Richard Pitino. New Mexico hired him for the same position the next day.<\/p>\n New Mexico\u2019s athletic director, Eddie Nu\u00f1ez said<\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting day for Lobo basketball. We have somebody who I\u2019m very excited about. Richard Pitino being our next men\u2019s basketball coach\u2014I can\u2019t speak more about not just his successes on the court but who he is as a person, his character, his integrity, everything.\u201d<\/p>\n On Feb. 26, Paul Weir was let go by New Mexico<\/a>. Nu\u00f1ez was determined to find a coach with class and integrity and Pitino fit the mold in his eyes. There is also the Billy Donovan<\/a> connection. Nu\u00f1ez played for Donovan at Florida and Pitino served as an assistant coach for the Gators under Donovan. Donovan also played for Pitino\u2019s father at Providence.<\/p>\n Pitino told the Albuquerque Journal<\/em>, \u201cI\u2019ve always dreamed of being at a basketball-crazed place, you know? I mean, just growing up at the University of Kentucky and just knowing what a fan base and a home-court advantage cad do\u2014and tradition and history. So it definitely was something that I was excited about.\u201d<\/p>\n It took 28 minutes for Richard Pitino to land a very good job, going to New Mexico. Fans In Albuquerque should get excited!<\/p>\n \u2014 Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n