Fansided

5 potential replacements for Kevin Ollie at UConn

By Brad Berreman

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at BB /
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rick pitino
Mandatory Credit: Joe Robbins-Getty Images /

3. Rick Pitino

On Friday Pitino told ESPN he wants to coach again, in college or the NBA, and has hired an agent to help pursue opportunities.

“The level doesn’t matter to me,” the former Louisville coach said on Friday. “I just need it to be someone who believes in me.”

That “someone who believes in me” comment is of course a direct shot at Louisville. Or more specifically, whom he referred to as the “board of traitors” that fostered his dismissal last fall on the heels of an alleged arrangement of a payment to top recruit Brian Bowen.

Pitino has remained defiant about a couple of scandals that plagued his last few years at Louisville, with a flimsy idea of being completely ignorant to what was going on essentially right under his nose. Defending himself is one thing, but pleading complete ignorance is implausible.

If UConn can reconcile themselves with Pitino’s alleged role in or knowledge about misdeeds at Louisville, or dismiss his involvement with their own digging, there’s no denying his resume as a college coach.