This past Thursday was Rick Pitino's worst day since last Friday. That was the day a press conference went down, right before that book was released. A presser forcing Pitino to face a bevy of cameras and media to discuss another sex scandal; one that could eventually bring harsh penalties to the Louisville men's basketball program. One that could force Pitino out as head coach.
This past Thursday began with a report from a former Louisville recruit, JaQuan Lyle, confirming for the NCAA the "gist" of the allegations made about him in "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen.” A day that additionally confirmed two former Louisville players have acknowledged parties with dancers inside Minardi Hall, and was capped by a tense conversation between Pitino and Louisville radio personality Terry Meiners, broadcast live.
The 17-minute conversation was riveting. It began with Pitino insisting he won't resign because he doesn't "know what resigning would accomplish" and ended with him claiming he will indeed resign if he gets the feeling that's what UL president James Ramsey wants.
"I'll pack my bags and leave," Pitino said. In just 17 minutes, it all went downhill.
It may well be what Ramsey wants. In a statement released Thursday, before Pitino appeared on Meiners' program, Ramsey released a statement, in which the words “Rick” or “Pitino” were never mentioned. Ramsey mentioned the values of the school, his unwavering support of Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, and moving forward. Noticeably, and certainly not accidentally, it didn't mention Pitino. Which led to Pitino to declare he was sorry Ramsey "didn't think enough to mention me, but that's something I can't control."
Things haven't improved since last Friday, instead they’ve gotten worse. And there's no reason to think they won't disintegrate further. The “dumpster fire” I alluded to last week? There is real smoke and real fire. It very well may culminate in the end of the Pitino Era at Louisville.
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