Louisville fires Pitino amid investigation
Louisville, Ky. — Louisville's Athletic Association has officially fired coach Rick Pitino nearly three weeks after the school acknowledged that its men's basketball program is being investigated as part of a federal corruption probe.
The association, which oversees Louisville's sports programs and is composed of trustees, faculty, students and administrators, voted unanimously to oust the longtime Cardinals coach following a board meeting Monday. The ULAA heard from Pitino's attorney, who made the case Monday that his client "could not have known" about activities alleged in the federal investigation.
Not long after Steve Pence's 45-minute address to the ULAA on Pitino's behalf, the association announced its decision after five hours of meetings. Pitino has $44 million remaining in salary and bonuses in a contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $5.1 million.
"We listened carefully to what they said, we read carefully everything they gave us," university interim President Greg Postel said of the legal team's presentation. "At the end of the conversation we felt that our initial decision to begin the process of termination for cause was still in the best interests of the university. And that's why the resolution was put forth and passed."
The association had authorized Postel to begin the process of firing Pitino for cause on Oct. 2 after Postel placed the coach on unpaid administrative leave Sept. 27.
The move Monday officially ends Pitino's 16-year tenure with the program, a run that included winning the 2013 NCAA championship but was tarnished by several embarrassing off-court incidents.
Pitino, 65, is not named in court complaints in the federal probe but Postel said in a disciplinary letter that the allegations violated his contract. Ten people that have been arrested in the corruption case, including four college assistant coaches and an Adidas executive.
Pence had contended that Louisville rushed to judgment and said Monday that Pitino should be retained.
"The coach did not engage in any of this activity, he didn't know about the activity," Pence said.
"I think we made a very compelling case to the board, I think they listened attentively and we'll just have to wait and see what they say."
Pence entered the meeting holding a poster board for presentation to the ULAA. The attorney later distributed a detailed 55-page document that includes letters of support for the coach, including one from David Padgett, who was named as Pitino's interim replacement on Sept. 29.