Pitino Says He Plans To Retire In 2017

December 27, 2011 /
Louisville Courier-Journal, Michael Grant

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111227/SPORTS02/312270059/1028/SPORTS/Louisville-basketball-Rick-Pitino-retire?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p

Is the coaching end for Rick Pitino in the not-too-distant future?

The University of Louisville basketball coach said Tuesday afternoon that he plans to stop coaching when his current contract runs out in 2017, when he would be 64.

During a news conference previewing Wednesday’s game against Georgetown, Pitino was asked about this being a big week for the program with the Big East opener and Saturday’s game at Kentucky.

“One thing I do because of my age is that I really don’t look ahead,” he said. “For years I have been preaching the precious present.

“When you’re 59, you’re realistic that you don’t have a whole lot of years left,” he said. “My contract is going to run out in 2017. I’m not coaching any more after that. I just enjoy exactly where I’m at. I’m really enjoying getting ready for Georgetown.”

U of L athletic director Tom Jurich said that he plans to do everything he can make Pitino “change his mind.”

“He’s a very young guy. He’s got a lot of fuel left in that tank,” Jurich said Tuesday.


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