Pitino Accepts Louisville Job

L O U I S V I L L E, Ky., March 22 -- In the end, Rick Pitino's love forKentucky outweighed the opinions of a few bitter Wildcats' fans.

Pitino became Louisville's coach on Wednesday, five years afterhe led Kentucky to its sixth national championship.

"Now it's my time to lead the Cardinals back to prominence,"Pitino told several hundred Louisville fans, city leaders and pastand present players at a pep rally where he was introduced.

Fear of Backlash Nearly Sent Him to Michigan

About six hours earlier, Pitino was ready to turn downLouisville and fill Michigan's coaching vacancy. His wife, Joanne,talked him out of it.

"She said, 'I think you love the state of Kentucky, you lovethe people you met at UofL. I think you should go back to the placeyou love,"' Pitino said.

Pitino had said his biggest reservation about accepting theLouisville job was the backlash from UK fans who felt jilted hewould even consider coaching the Wildcats' archrival.

Pitino said Wednesday UK fans should respect his decision.

"When I took over [Kentucky], everyone was embarrassed,"Pitino said. "It had to be built back up with integrity. When Ileft, it was not only built up, but it was a model program.

"One game a year, we'll get it on. Outside of that, I'll alwaysroot for them."

Aggressive Courtship

Pitino resigned as coach and president of the Boston Celtics inJanuary after 3½ disappointing seasons.

His hiring at Louisville follows a bold, aggressive courtship byathletic director Tom Jurich, who acted as a one-man searchcommittee. Jurich said two weeks ago that Pitino was his onlycandidate for the job.

"It's been the year from hell, but I see heaven on thehorizon," Jurich said.

Pitino has not signed a contract, but Jurich said he's agreed toa six-year deal, worth about $1 million per year. Pitino said moneywas not a factor in his decision.

"I am back in the state that I love, coaching at a greatuniversity that hasn't had an opening in 30 years," Pitino said."I'm totally pumped up. I can't wait to get started."