Richard Pitino -- yes, seriously -- named top candidate at Louisville

Pitino back roaming the Louisville sidelines inside the Yum! Center? Oh, it’s happening. Or on the table, at minimum. It’s exactly what the doctor ordered to cure your March Sadness blues.

Richard Pitino has been named a top candidate to replace Kenny Payne at Louisville, according to various UL insiders, namely Jody Demling of Cardinal Authority.

“Pitino has emerged as a top candidate to become the head coach at the University of Louisville,” Demling reported. “U of L athletic director Josh Heird has been in contact with Pitino several times over the past few days.”

STORY: New Mexico coach Richard Pitino has emerged as a top candidate for the Louisville job.@247Sports @TravisBranham_ @ebosshoops https://t.co/QJnfA17lUW

— Jody Demling (@jdemling) March 26, 2024

Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde and Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman are both reporting Pitino as a serious candidate, as well.

Demling added that Baylor’s Scott Drew was the Cardinals’ top target before moving to FAU’s Dusty May, who turned down that opportunity to coach at Michigan. From there, Indiana State’s Josh Schertz, Charleston’s Pat Kelsey and Seton Hall’s Shaheen Holloway are seen as names still potentially in the mix.

But none of it matters when Pitino is in the picture. I mean, who wouldn’t want a guy who went 18-14 at FIU, 141-123 at Minnesota and 61-41 at New Mexico to take over your dumpster fire?

“I love Richard,” Peyton Siva said on Twitter. “He was the one who recruited me to Louisville.”

“Bring back Richard Pitino,” Stephan Van Treese added. “We don’t make the 2012 Final 4 run without him! The guy can coach!”

Uh, where? Because a 220-178 overall record with three NCAA Tournaments in 12 years as a head coach says otherwise. Factor in the not-so-minor fact that his father sued the school a few short years ago, and this is just a hilarious development.

That’s your savior?

Maybe things aren’t so bad in Lexington after all.