Richard Pitino Jr is the next head coach.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

I highly doubt that Mack turned us down.

This 100%, Mack did not turn us down. I want to see the contract details. If Pitino's buyout is on the large side then we have our answer or least part of the answer. That said, I am not sold on Pitino Jr. Mack is a known quantity and Pitino has won tourney games and had a few winning seasons at Minnesota and that is nearly impossible.

I could see a world where GC offered them both the same/similar deals and Pitino Jr. just pulled the trigger first. I could also see a world where Mack insisted on that same low buyout and GC went in a different direction with a hungrier hire.

[GoMuskies]

By the way, New Mexico has a surprisingly large and very enthusiastic following. Wouldn't be surprised if some Lobos start turning up here to hate us.

[xukeith]

Maybe Pitino can bring New Mexico pg Donovan Dent to X. Not too impossible? Conwell stays? Conwell , Dent , Swain ....possible?

[bjf123]

Maybe Pitino can bring New Mexico pg Donovan Dent to X. Not too impossible? Conwell stays? Conwell , Dent , Swain ....possible?

Swain will be in Texas next year.


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[A Fan]

Pitino v. Pitino brings some hype and drama to the Big East. The media will love it. Lots of pre game narratives. If the NIL money is there it should help with recruiting.

[Xavier]

Dent coming I think is never going to happen. He’s the number one guy in the portal. Duke and Kentucky want him bad. Maybe X/Big East is enticing with his coach. But I’d be shocked.

[LOLmickcronin]

This 100%, Mack did not turn us down. I want to see the contract details. If Pitino's buyout is on the large side then we have our answer or least part of the answer. That said, I am not sold on Pitino Jr. Mack is a known quantity and Pitino has won tourney games and had a few winning seasons at Minnesota and that is nearly impossible.

I could see a world where GC offered them both the same/similar deals and Pitino Jr. just pulled the trigger first. I could also see a world where Mack insisted on that same low buyout and GC went in a different direction with a hungrier hire.

I think it’s clear what happened now from the timing. They talked to both and offered to pitino. He accepted. Then they told Mack he didn’t get it first privately (at which point he made his returning to Charleston tweet). Then they released it to rothstein who reported it.

[xudash]

I guess give Greg some credit on this. Pitino was rumored to be linked to West Virginia and was, at one point, a supposed done deal to Villanova. At the very least, he coaxed Pitino to X over both of those programs. Furthermore, he chose him over the “safe” pick in Chris Mack.

Greg got his guy. I hope he’s right.

Great post. I hope the buyout clause is painful.

[Section 200]

Pitino v. Pitino brings some hype and drama to the Big East. The media will love it. Lots of pre game narratives. If the NIL money is there it should help with recruiting.

Could be 2 weekend games on Fox

[Blue Blooded-05]

Everyone keeps saying Mack “is a known quality/commodity/etc”…

Yes. Everyone in college basketball knows him. He is also coaching in the CAA. Exactly where “everyone” in college basketball thinks he belongs. Has his name been brought up for any other job in the past 3 years? No. There is a reason for that. He’s a first class prick. The way he left here was a disgrace to the university and everyone who loves it.

I’m frankly surprised he even got a serious interview. There were well known reports of him and Greg not getting along during their time together. It makes me smile to think Greg used Mack as bait to get his real target.

I’m giving Pitino a well deserved chance. Chris Mack can rot in the CAA where he belongs.