Rick Pitino says he’s done coaching: ‘I just don’t want the stress’

Rick Pitino was forced out at Louisville after the program found itself at the center of a federal investigation into corruption within college basketball, and there has been speculation that he could end up coaching elsewhere. If the Hall of Famer is telling the truth, there is no chance of that happening.

In an interview with Chris Sheridan of Get More Sports this week, Pitino was asked where he might coach next. While he said he still loves college basketball and misses it “terribly,” the 66-year-old insists he will never coach again.

“I am looking for another passion — I don’t know what that is, I don’t know where it will direct me … but it’s not in coaching,” he said. “I just don’t want the stress of what happened the last few years with the NCAA, with the FBI — I just don’t want it anymore.”

Pitino has been promoting his new book, entitled “Pitino: My Story.” He has been heavily criticized for blaming everyone but himself for his ouster at Louisville in the book, including when he talks about Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin being at odds with former Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich. Bevin fired back last month by calling Pitino a “bitter person” who can’t accept responsibility for his own actions.

Louisville was accused of making illegal payments to players while Pitino was at the helm, but the former coach has denied having any involvement. The Cardinals also had to vacate their 2013 national championship over a prositution scandal involving recruits.