Rick Pitino wants Siena job, according to business partner

Rick Pitino is still desperate to get back into college basketball coaching, even at the lower levels of the sport.

According to Pitino business associate Roddy Valente, Pitino would be interested in discussing the coaching vacancy at Siena.

“He basically said given the opportunity, he would love to sit down and explore coaching at Siena,” Valente said Sunday, via Mark Singelais of the Albany Times-Union. “He loves to coach. He said Siena would be a good fit. He loves the area. He’s turned down two jobs because of where they were located. He loves the Capital Region.”

The Siena job is available after Jimmy Patsos resigned amid allegations that he physically and mentally abused players.

Normally, a name like Pitino being interested in Siena would be a no-brainer worth pursuing. Of course, the Saints would have to decide if they want to deal with Pitino’s potentially major issues. He has maintained his innocence, but it remains to be seen if Siena pursues this.