University of Louisville basketball head coach Rick Pitino has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, though “effectively fired,” following a federal investigation that yielded 10 arrests on fraud and corruption Tuesday, according to Courier-Journal reports. U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday in response, as well.
Pitino and Jurich were not among those initially arrested, however the university’s basketball program was among those identified as being involved in the investigation, which alleges coaches and sports apparel executives worked to bribe players’ families in exchange for their commitment to play at particular schools. According to the Associated Press, the three-year FBI investigation found sufficient evidence to suggest that at least one recruit – identified as “Player-10” and suspected to be freshman forward Brian Bowen – and his family had been promised about $100,000, provided by Adidas, to sign with the Cardinals. Coaching staff at U of L was reportedly working to secure money for the family of another future recruit, according to ESPN reports.
Federal investigators arrested coaches from four major universities, including Auburn, Oklahoma State, USC and Arizona, as well as Adidas executives in connection to the case. ESPN reports those accused include: assistant coaches Chuck Person (Auburn), Lamont Evans (Oklahoma State), Emanuel “Book” Richardson (Arizona) and Tony Bland (Southern California); James Gatto, director of global sports marketing for Adidas; Merl Code, another Adidas employee; Christian Dawkins, a former NBA agent who was recently fired from ASM Sports; Munish Sood, a financial adviser; Jonathan Brad Augustine, president of The League Initiative and program director of the Adidas-sponsored 1 Family AAU program; and Rashan Michel, a former NBA official who founded Thompson Bespoke Clothing, a custom clothier for athletes.
Pitino denied any involvement or knowledge of the scheme Tuesday in a statement to media, and through his attorney promised a “bare-knuckled fight” should the university choose to fire him. However, it’s just the latest in a series of black eyes for the program under Pitino’s watch.
The scandal comes on the heels of an 2015 NCAA investigation during which it was discovered former assistant coach Andre McGee had organized sexual favors from escorts and prostitutes for some athletes in recruiting players to the program. The NCAA ordered the university to vacate its 2013 national title win among others; U of L has appealed the decision, but implemented its own tournament ban last year in response. Pitino was also suspended for the first five games of the season as a result for his lack of monitoring the program.
Pitino in 2009 was also the subject of extortion attempt, after the wife of a Louisville equipment manager, attempted to blackmail him in exchange for her silence. Pitino, who is married, admitted to having a sexual encounter with the woman in a restaurant in Louisville.
Pitino coached the University of Kentucky Wildcats from 1989-1997, leading the ‘Cats to a 1996 national title. He left to resume his coaching career in the NBA with the Celtics, but returned to collegiate ball when he accepted his position with Louisville in 2001.