By Russ Brown
Special to NKyTribune
LOUISVILLE — University of Louisville coach Rick Pitino remains defiant in the face of the sex scandal surrounding his basketball team and numerous columns by local and national media calling for his removal.
In a post on his personal website headlined “2015-16 Season Preview” and addressed “To Our Loyal Fans,” Pitino issued an apology and vowed not to resign.
Pitino wrote:
“First, above all, Iím sorry we all have to endure the pain of these allegations. I so appreciate your support and friendships. I will not resign and let you down. Someday I will walk away in celebration of many memorable years but that time is not now. I do not fight these accusations by others but rather turn the other cheek. Couldn’t do it at 33, but at 63 it’s the wise thing to do. Let’s let the investigators do their job and we will play basketball.”
On Wednesday, UofL president James Ramsey that he has not had any discussions with Pitino about resigning.
“There’s an investigation taking place, and we’re letting it play out, and I think that’s the fair thing to do,” Ramsey said. . . .”It will play out in a fair way and a way to find what the real truth is and what the real answers are. that’s what we want and that’s what we expect.”
Pitino signed a four-year contract extension in June that takes him through the 2025-26 season. It includes $7.5 million in retention bonuses that kick in every three years beginning in 2017. Pitino’s salary will increase from $4.448 million for the 2015-16 fiscal year to $5,093 in 2016-17. The total contract is worth nearly $51 million in salary.
UofL, the NCAA and local authorities have launched investigations into allegations by former escort Katina Powell that former UofL staffer Andre McGee paid her and other escorts for dancing and having sex with players, recruits and their fathers or guardians.
Earlier this week, Pitino urged McGee, now an assistant coach on administrative leave at Missouri-Kansas City, to come forward and tell the truth about what he knows.
Pitino’s next public appearance will come Saturday at 4 p.m. when the Cardinals play a Red-White intrasquad game in the KFC Yum! Center. UofL will open the season against Samford on Nov. 13 after playing exhibition games against Bellarmine on Nov. 1 and Kentucky Wesleyan on Nov. 9.
“I am really excited with our ball team,” Pitino wrote. “Their attitude and willingness to learn is the best I’ve witnessed as a coach. We have the potential to be a very explosive offensive team. We must defend like past years. That will come when they come together as a unit.
“We are a week away from the Bellarmine game. Get fired up for another great season!”
After a brief evaluation of each player, Pitino ended his post on a religious note.
“The Pope on his recent visit was asked many controversial questions. He would often answer, ‘We will let God judge.’ There can be no better advice regardless of what religion you are than his words. Let’s not try to justify, but let the Lord judge!”