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Louisville Officially Says Rick Pitino Not Attending ACC Media Day

By Paulo Acoba

Oct 3, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks to the media following a scrimmage at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks to the media following a scrimmage at KFC YUM! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a lengthy blog post from Rick Pitino himself stating he wouldn’t resign, the school is announcing that the Louisville coach won’t attend ACC Media Day.

Words of encouragement for the upcoming season, quotes from the Pope and his promise not to leave Lousiville basketball just yet, Rick Pitino’s blog post had it all but it’s just the beginning of the damage control.

According to ESPN Basketball insider Jeff Goodman, Lousiville strongly hinted that they have other plans for the award-winning coach for Media Day. Instead of Pitino, two fifth-year seniors will go in his place.

Lousiville is chalking it up as a strategic PR move for Pitino and the university. Recently, Lousiville got into hot water for having one of its assistant coaches paying for sex and stripper parties on the Lousiville home campus for both players and Lousiville’s recruits between 2010-2014.  Although there’s no evidence at this time, reports are hinting that Pitino had to have some knowledge of what was going on.

It looks like Lousiville is playing damage control right now and trying their best to put a cap on what could become a potential PR nightmare. We also wouldn’t be surprised if he takes to his blog once again to vent his feelings come media day.

Since taking over the Louisville program before the 2001-02 basketball season, Pitino owns a coaching record of 494-368 with the Cardinals. However, he’s dealt with a few indiscretions during his tenure, including being extorted by a former lover about an extra-marital affair. Through it all, the university has stuck with him and it appears that Louisville intends to do so again through this latest drama.