Pitino Should Resign, Give Me a Break

As the details of Rick Pitino's drunken one night affair have come to light there have been many calling for his resignation. Some wonder how he could possibly continue to lead young men after doing something so terrible, others say he will not be able to recruit and still others say he should resign to protect his family. To all of these I say nonsense.


The players at the University of Louisville did not come to play for Pitino because he is a father figure or a moral compass. They came because Pitino could be their ticket to the NBA. They listen to him because they think he can help them be better basketball players and win games. None of that is going to change because on his one night stand.


Pitino's recruiting ability might be hurt with a few of the players he goes after, but he is recruiting top 100 players, many of these guys are "represented" by individuals far dirtier than Pitino. All they care about is what school is going to give them the best deal. They will sell the player out to the devil if it means a better deal for them. Some parents maybe effected by the incident, but remember this is a country that re-elected an unrepentant adulterer to be President. Pitino, like that President, is a good looking, slick talking man.


Maybe the best argument for Pitino resigning is the pain it will cause his family as he is blasted publicly each time his team plays in a hostile area. However, the blasts will be directed at Pitino and the family can avoid most of it by staying away from road games. If Pitino thinks he can handle the harassement it should not be an issue.


What Pitino did was wrong and it speaks poorly of him as an individual, but no way should it cost him his job.