Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, April 3, 2013
Minnesota hired Florida International coach Richard Pitino as its new men's basketball coach Wednesday. Pitino, 30, is the son of legendary coach Rick Pitino, who guided Louisville to this year's Final Four, his seventh career such trip. See the Twitter reaction to the hiring of the younger Pitino in this post.
[ RELATED: Dienhart: 'Pitino' name enough for Minnesota ]
Congrats Coach Pitino on becoming the new Coach. Look forward to watching you do great things at the U. #GopherBasketball #skiumah
— Trevor Mbakwe (@TMbakwe32) April 3, 2013
Welcome Richard Pitino to the Big Ten. He is very bright, hard working and a relentess recruiter. Been a key figure in consistent winners.
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) April 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/AndyGlockner/status/319586675988758529
Great call by Minnesota to hire Richard Pitino: http://t.co/8C6XBuqTCb Richard is a really smart basketball mind, and fine young coach.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 3, 2013
Yes, Rich Pitino is son of a coach, but at 30, I'm assuming we don't have to worry about him wanting his kid on staff.
— Patrick Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) April 3, 2013
The news that Minnesota is hiring Richard Pitino – son of Louisville's Rick – is a good get for the Gophers & the Big Ten.
— Chris ?Mack? Mackinder (@Chris_Mackinder) April 3, 2013
Thank you Minnesota for once again proving WHY you are Minnesota.
— Hondo Carpenter (@HondoCarpenter) April 3, 2013
So young Pitino replaces Tubby. Tubby replaced older Pitino at UK. Tubby replaces Gillispie at TT. Gillispie replaced Tubby at UK. Got it?!?
— Sean Harrington (@smharrington24) April 3, 2013
Looks like Minnesota is going from Tubby Smith, 61, with 1 national title on his resume, to Richard Pitino, 30, with 1 year as HC on his.
— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) April 3, 2013
For perspective: Tubby Smith was an assistant coach at VCU before Richard Pitino was even born. #Gophers
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) April 3, 2013
This is happening, folks.
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) April 3, 2013
No offense to Richard Pitino, he's an up and comer no doubt, but Tubby Smith's already there. Makes zero sense.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 3, 2013
Norwood Teague has a good rep for hiring head coaches, but this search at Minnesota sure has been interesting. Hope Richard Pitino works.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) April 3, 2013
Richard Pitino is 30 years old, barely older than Trevor Mbakwe. #Gophers
— Tyler Mason (@tylermason21) April 3, 2013
Pitino son as U of M coach!!! I like it that's what the players need right now someone young and energetic
— Coach Dame (@CoachDame_BSM) April 3, 2013
Saul Smith and Richard Pitino are good buddies from when Tubby was on Rick Pitino's staff when Saul and Rich were kids at Kentucky.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) April 3, 2013
Tubby succeeded a Pitino at Kentucky. A Pitino could succeed Tubby at Minnesota. The quirkiness of college sports.
— Dave Wischnowsky (@wischlist) April 3, 2013