Rick Pitino Calls 5-Game Suspension by NCAA 'Unjust', 'Severe'

Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino will be suspended for the first five games of the 2017-18 season, a punishment he believes is too harsh. 

"For 35-some-odd years I've had a lot of faith in the NCAA and have reacted that way accordingly as a head basketball coach in the belief of their rules," Pitino said in Thursday's news conference, per Myron Medcalf of ESPN. "Not only is it unjust...over-the-top severe, but personally I've lost a lot of faith in the NCAA that I've had over the last 35 years with what they just did."

The NCAA ruled he failed to monitor the activities of his staff, which was responsible for an alleged sex scandal.

The director of basketball operations Andrew McGee was supposedly responsible for "arranging striptease dances and sex acts for prospects, student-athletes and others," per Medcalf.

Although Louisville intends to appeal the ruling, there remains a chance the 2013 national championship could be vacated as part of the punishment. The program is also on probation for the next four years.

The 64-year-old is heading into his 17th year with the Cardinals next season.