Rick Pitino on Kentucky fans' anger toward him taking Louisville job: 'I totally get it today'

It’s been more than 25 years since Rick Pitino was the head coach at Kentucky. Despite that, he still has a deep passion for the school and its sports programs.

While making an appearance on KSR, Pitino spoke about how much he cares about Kentucky. Doing so, he brought up taking the Louisville job, which today he looks back on and understands why fans had anger toward him over that decision.

“The Kentucky fans, to me, are very special,” Rick Pitino said. “They treated me, my family, with great reverence. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about the Kentucky fan. I totally get it today why they were bitter at me for going to the University of Louisville.”

Rick Pitino coached at Kentucky from 1989 through 1997. During that time, he won a national championship and three Final Fours. He then left to try coaching in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, but when things went poorly there he returned to coach at Kentucky’s rival, Louisville.

While at Louisville, Pitino found plenty of success, even winning another national championship. However, the decision to go there did lead to tensions from Kentucky fans toward their former head coach.

“The reason I was going back was I loved Kentucky so much from my UK days and wanted to relive that love of the sport,” Pitino said.

“But right now they have a fabulous program with all sports, and I think that it’s going to be a special, special time for Mark Pope and the University of Kentucky Wildcats because I think the fans are gonna fall in love with Mark. The thing about him, the name on the back never mattered to Mark. He could care less about individual glory. He could care less about it if anybody mentioned that he played a great game. It’s always about team and it’s always about Kentucky.

Today, Rick Pitino is the head coach at St. John’s and has both approved of Mark Pope as the new hire for Kentucky and said he hopes to schedule games against one another.

Rick Pitino confirms he’s donated to Kentucky football’s NIL initiative

Notably, Rick Pitino shared that he still roots for Kentucky sports and has even donated to Kentucky football’s NIL initiative.

“Well, I actually cut a check to the football program because I’m a casual friend of Mark [Stoops] and Eddie Gran. I cut a check to the football program. I would definitely cut a check if Mark [Pope] needs me for anything no matter what it is. Except for my first-born, Michael? He can have it,” Pitino said.

“I absolutely love Mark [Pope] and would do anything for his program. Rooting for football, I sent the baseball coach a text wishing him good luck. I’m very bullish on Mark [Stoops] and the football program. Hope they do great.”