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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: Louisville head coach Rick Pitino stands on stage during the 2013 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Annoucement Ceremony at Marriott Marquis on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)
lessATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: Louisville head coach Rick Pitino stands on stage during the 2013 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Annoucement Ceremony at Marriott Marquis on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta,
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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: (L-R) Chane Behanan #21 and head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate after they won 82-76 against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at the Georgia Dome on April 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
lessATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: (L-R) Chane Behanan #21 and head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate after they won 82-76 against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four
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File-This April 4, 2013 file photo shows Louisville head coach Rick Pitino speaking to the media during a news conference at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, in Atlanta. Pitino is once again studying video of Michael Jordan and John Stockton to learn from them. As in, knowing what to say and not say when the Louisville coach is inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Sunday Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) ORG XMIT: NY166
lessFile-This April 4, 2013 file photo shows Louisville head coach Rick Pitino speaking to the media during a news conference at the Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, in Atlanta. Pitino is once
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LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 22: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the game against the Missouir-Kansas City Kangaroos in the Billy Minardi Classic at KFC YUM! Center on December 22, 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 585819531
lessLOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 22: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the game against the Missouir-Kansas City Kangaroos in the Billy Minardi Classic at
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LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 27: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the 58-50 loss to the Kentucky Wilcats at KFC YUM! Center on December 27, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 519904455
lessLOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 27: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the 58-50 loss to the Kentucky Wilcats at KFC YUM! Center on December 27, 2014 in
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FILE - SEPTEMBER 27:Coach Rick Pitino and Athletic director Tom Jurich Let Go From Louisville - ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals looks on in the first half while taking on the Saint Louis Billikens during the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 22, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 459540551
lessFILE - SEPTEMBER 27:Coach Rick Pitino and Athletic director Tom Jurich Let Go From Louisville - ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals looks on in the first half while
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Former Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino held the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex scandal case that strips the Cardinals program of 123 victories, a national championship and $600,000 in post-season revenue. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
lessFormer Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino held the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex scandal
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Former Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino held the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex scandal case that strips the Cardinals program of 123 victories, a national championship and $600,000 in post-season revenue. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
lessFormer Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino held the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex scandal
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Former Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino helds the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex scandal case that strips the Cardinals program of 123 victories, a national championship and $600,000 in post-season revenue. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
lessFormer Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino talks to reporters during a news conference in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. Pitino helds the news conference in the wake of an NCAA decision in a sex
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Rick Pitino denies interest in Siena basketball coaching job
Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino, who was fired by Louisville in October with the program under investigation in a federal corruption probe, denied he is interested in the Siena men’s basketball coaching vacancy, despite a friend of his indicating that he is.
Pitino wants to discuss the opening with Siena officials, said Loudonville thoroughbred owner Roddy Valente, a longtime friend who is a partner with Pitino in the Kentucky Oaks contender Coach Rocks.
“He basically said given the opportunity, he would love to sit down and explore coaching at Siena,’’ Valente said this morning.
Valente said Pitino wants to coach again, regardless of the level.
“He loves to coach,’’ Valente added. “He said Siena would be a good fit. He loves the area. He’s turned down two jobs because of where they were located. He loves the Capital Region.”
But Pitino, reached by a reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal, texted "nope" when asked if he was interested in being the Saints' next head coach.
Pitino has been a frequent visitor to Saratoga Race Course during the summer.
Siena is searching to replace Jimmy Patsos, who resigned Friday after five seasons following a school investigation into allegations that he verbally abused a team manager and shoved a player. The school also examined reports that per diem money was improperly withheld from team members.
The Saints went 8-24 this season, tying the most losses in program history.
Pitino, 65, has a record of 770-271 over 32 college seasons. He won national championships at Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013. He also coached the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the NBA.
Louisville was stripped of the 2013 title and 123 wins from 2012 to 2015 after an NCAA investigation found a member of the coaching staff had provided prostitutes and strippers to players and recruits.
Those sanctions weren't connected to an FBI investigation last fall into a pay-for-play scheme.
Pitino has maintained his innocence.
"I've never offered any player $5," Pitino told ESPN in March.
“He would want Siena very comfortable,’’ Valente said. “He would want them to speak to his attorneys.”
Siena athletic director John D'Argenio didn't return a call seeking comment.
Pitino has hired agent Jordan Bazant, who also represents Patsos.
Valente said Pitino would be an ideal fit for Siena.
"I think he'd be great,' he said. "He is probably the best unemployed coach in America. To have a man of his caliber come to Siena after they've been sputtering, it'd be the best fit in the world. He's a great teacher. I know he's getting a bad rap for a lot of things, but he is a gentleman. He is a tremendous teacher."
Many are sure to question the possibly candidacy of Pitino after Siena went through a controversial parting with Patsos. But there's little doubt Pitino would sell tickets.
Siena averaged a home attendance of 5,968 per game this season, its second straight year under 6,000 at TU Center.
Le Moyne head coach Patrick Beilein and Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara have already been widely reported as candidates at Siena.
msingelais@timesunion.com ■ 518-454-5509 ■ @MarkSingelais
https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Rick-Pitino-interested-in-Siena-basketball-12835655.php
