Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino, University of Kentucky head basketball coach from 1989 to 1997, had the daunting task of rebuilding the UK men’s basketball program after a recruiting scandal. His success story includes a 219-50 win-loss record, two SEC titles, five SEC championship wins, two NCAA championship game appearances, and one NCAA championship in 1996. After leaving to coach the Boston Celtics, Pitino returned to Kentucky in 2001 to coach at the University of Louisville, replacing Denny Crum after his remarkable 30-year tenure.