Pitino lashes out at ‘traitors’

Rick Pitino wants to coach again, and he isn’t done taking shots at those he believes are keeping him from doing so.

The former Louisville coach, who was fired Oct. 16 after being linked to an FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball, told ESPN he would coach at any level.

“I just need it to be someone who believes in me,” Pitino said.

No college programs have shown interest in Pitino, he said, but he has had informal talks with an NBA team about a possible opening. It has left him angry at people he believes put him this situation.

“Every night I go to bed, I’m bitter at the U.S. attorney’s office and at the ‘board of traitors’ at Louisville,” Pitino said. “I’m not bitter at the school, but at the board of traitors.”

The Hall of Fame coach was fired after Louisville acknowledged it was under investigation for allegations the family of recruit Brian Bowen, who has since transferred, was bribed to attend the school.

Pitino, who is not named in the probe, has denied participation or knowledge of the payments. He said he is willing to turn over all of his records to any prospective team looking to give him a job.

“I’ve never offered any player $5,” he said. “I’ve been assassinated by the Southern District of N.Y. without any wiretap or shred of evidence, and the University of Louisville.”

Louisville recently had its 2013 national championship vacated along with wins as part of the sanctions for a sex scandal in which a member of the Cardinals staff, Andre McGee, was accused of paying for escorts for players and recruits at the on-campus dorms. Pitino is suing Louisville for breach of contract.