Report: Richard Pitino in mix for Louisville coaching vacancy
New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino has had conversations with Louisville about its vacant coaching position, sources told Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated.
Pitino, son of former Cardinals standout Rick, helped guide the Lobos to a 26-10 record and a Mountain West conference tournament championship in his third season with New Mexico.
The No. 11 Lobos lost to No. 6 Clemson in the opening round of March Madness.
Louisville parted ways with Kenny Payne after he went 12-52 over two seasons. The Cardinals targeted Baylor's Scott Drew and Dusty May before May took Michigan's head coaching position, according to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.
Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway and Charleston's Pat Kelsey have also been linked to the Louisville job, sources told Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.
Pitino served as an assistant coach on his father's staff from 2007-09 and associate head coach from 2011-12. He then became the bench boss at Florida International University for one season before going 141-123 across eight campaigns as Minnesota's head coach.
His only win in the NCAA Tournament came with the Gophers in 2019, knocking out Louisville in the first round.
The elder Pitino, now the coach at St. John's, spent 16 seasons at Louisville. He ranks third in most wins with the program behind Denny Crum and Bernard Hickman.