Rick Pitino talks Madness, Louisville, future games vs. Kentucky (at Arthur Ashe Stadium?) on KSR

The only thing more surprising than Rick Pitino’s appearance at Big Blue Madness? An interview with Matt Jones. Pitino sat down with Jones this morning at the Joe Craft Center to record a segment for the KSR Pregame Show, which just aired before Kentucky Football’s game vs. Vanderbilt. The podcast will be available after tonight’s game, but if you missed it live, I jotted down some highlights.

Friday was an emotional night

Pitino told Jones that he originally planned to just come in for the game vs. Vanderbilt, not Big Blue Madness, but was able to change St. John’s practice schedule to add in a night to support Mark Pope at Rupp Arena. He said spending time with his players, including Todd Svoboda, who is fighting bone cancer, and the ovation from the Big Blue Nation brought tears to his eyes.

“I came within inches of crying my eyes out. It was really very emotional for me because I was backstage in the back with all my players, and that was great to see them, even Todd Svoboda, who’s gone through a very difficult time and then seeing all the guys. It was very, very emotional for me. And then walking out became more emotional.”

Pitino said his speech — in which he once again referred to Kentucky as “Camelot” — was impromptu when Pope handed him the mic.

“I didn’t know I was going to speak. I didn’t obviously know I was going to get that type of ovation. But it was one of the better nights of my life. So it really touched me.”

“I never had a bad day here”

Some Louisville fans did not take Rick’s return to Rupp Arena well. Pitino only referred to Louisville as “them” or “there” during his conversation with Jones, and said that regardless of his time with the Cards, he very much wanted to be able to come back to Lexington one day.

“Obviously, it didn’t end well for me at the other place and and I wanted to come back to this place, because I never had a bad day here. Everybody has a bad day, bad month, bad year with a job, but I didn’t have, both at Providence and Kentucky, I never had a bad day.”

Although he’s coached at many different places (now at St. John’s), Pitino insisted that Kentucky is unique, a message he emphasized when addressing Mark Pope’s team at practice this morning.

“Kentucky is different than any job I’ve ever had, because it’s special. It really is a special place. You get very emotional when you — I told the kids downstairs, I said, you’re not going to realize it now, because you haven’t grown up in Kentucky, not all of you, but someday you’re going to come back here and you’re going to realize what it meant to put on that uniform.”

Signed with Michigan but wife convinced him to take the Louisville job

Pitino’s decision to take the job at Louisville in 2001 was an arrow to the heart of many Kentucky fans. Still some haven’t gotten over it. Pitino told Jones the he originally wanted to go to Michigan — and had even signed the contract — but his wife JoAnne convinced him to go to Louisville because of how many friends he has in the state of Kentucky.

“I guess what you don’t understand, Matt, is this: I was at a low point in my basketball life. It’s the first time I failed with Boston Celtics, the first time I failed. And all I wanted to do is get back to this place, not thinking Louisville, Kentucky, but just thinking I had such great memories of of working here, I just want to get back to the state where I had so many friends.”

Obviously, that decision was not received well, but Pitino said he gets it, especially after being a part of another great rivalry, Panathinaikos vs. Olympiacos in Greece.

“It hurt, but I understood it,” Pitino said of the backlash. “It hurt, but I understood it.”

His son tweets for him

Pitino is very active on Twitter, but he admitted that it’s not him typing; it’s one of his sons. Shoutout to that son for this tweet and picture of Pitino with Mark Pope and Pope’s family at today’s practice.

So proud of my Captain and his wonderful family. Watched practice and love their offensive movement! pic.twitter.com/W1nHeu21iE

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) October 12, 2024

Comparing Mark Pope to Billy Donovan

Pitino’s video endorsing Mark Pope as Kentucky’s coach went a long way toward getting the fanbase on board with the hire. He told Jones the after seeing Pope coach at a practice at Utah Valley many years ago, he knew he could be great — like another former player of his, Billy Donovan.

“I never knew these two guys would be great coaches. One was Billy Donovan, and second was Mark Pope, because Mark was a Rhodes Scholar candidate learning to become a doctor, Billy Donovan was a shy, humble kid. Both had the same qualities. It was never about them. It was always about what they represented. They didn’t have egos. I call egos edging greatness out. If you have confidence, that’s great, but egos? Not great.

“And both Billy and Mark had the same quality of humility, selflessness, and I knew after watching Mark at a Utah Valley State practice, he was going to be a great one. He’s a great offensive coach. He knows how important defense is, and I thought he was the perfect choice, and that’s why I did the video.”

Pitino doubled down on the Donovan-Pope comparison in a pregame interview at Kroger Field.

FieldPass: @MichelleKnezov catches up with @RealPitino pregame! pic.twitter.com/smX6hR3Be4

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) October 12, 2024

He’s visiting his old house tonight

Pitino is taking his Kentucky homecoming to another level tonight by stopping by his old Lexington residence, which is now owned by former Kentucky Women’s Basketball coach Matthew Mitchell.

“I’m going to visit my house tonight, where I lived. [Matthew Mitchell] was nice enough to invite me over with my kid. We built the house. My kids were young then now one is 45, so it’s fast.”

Thank you to Jenna and Matthew Mitchell for letting me back in My house 😂 pic.twitter.com/2hYxFL1RUz

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) October 12, 2024

He donated $15,000 to Kentucky Football’s NIL fund

Pitino being a Kentucky Football NIL donor was a surprising headline this spring. He told Jones that he donated $15,000 to the football team’s NIL efforts out of his respect for the job Mark Stoops has done and his friendships with Stoops and Eddie Gran.

“I’m a big Mark Stoops fan. What he’s done with Kentucky football, they said couldn’t be done and he’s done it. I watched the Ole Miss game. It was awesome. Even the Georgie game was awesome, and I hope they get it tonight.”

St. John’s vs. Kentucky in Arthur Ashe Stadium?

Since Pope was named head coach, there’s been talk of a future Kentucky vs. St. John’s series, which could coincide with the 30-year anniversary of the 1995-96 National Championship season. Pitino said he and Pope are still working on it but scheduling commitments are making a return game at Madison Square Garden difficult. Pitino has a great alternative: a game at Arthur Ashe Stadium, home to the US Open.

“I want to play Kentucky. We’re trying to work it out, but Mark can’t come back to Madison Square Garden the following year because of commitments. But we’re trying to work it out. I would actually love — I’m sure Mark want to go to the Garden, but I would love to play a game in Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of 23,000 people. I can get that done but it’s up to Mark.”

As avid tennis fans, I’m sure the Popes would love that as well. You can listen to the interview below or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.