PITINO SAYS HE’S INNOCENT

MIAMI — Rick Pitino’s celebrated tenure at Louisville ended last September amid accusations, in court documents sworn to by an FBI agent and approved by federal prosecutors, that he had knowledge of a $100,000 payment from Adidas to the father of a recruit. Since then, the 65-year-old coaching legend has been leading a quiet, inconspicuous life of quasi-retirement.

He spends his days in the gym and on the golf course.

It’s a life of extreme comfort, Pitino

acknowledges. He’s miserable.

This is the first time he has been unemployed during the NCAA tournament since 2001 and just the second time since he graduated from college in 1974. After initially claiming he was done with coaching last fall, Pitino wants back in.

“I miss it terribly,” Pitino said. “I don’t know how to explain it in words. ... There’s just this emptiness.”

Last Friday, Pitino allowed a reporter to review what he and his lawyers said are transcripts of hundreds of text messages he exchanged with every major figure in the alleged pay-for-play scheme, records he says he provided voluntarily to federal prosecutors in an effort to clear his name.

At turns defiant, combative and wounded, Pitino lashed out at federal

prosecutors, whom he accused of including him in court documents for notoriety.

“I’m not on any wiretap. There’s not a shred of evidence that I did anything wrong . . . . They basically blew up my life . . . for one reason: publicity,” Pitino said. “I have my faults, like we all do . . . but I’ve never cheated to get a player.”