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Rick Pitino Responds To Rumors He’s Leaving Iona For Maryland

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According to a report, the Maryland Terrapins are making Iona head coach Rick Pitino their top candidate to take over the program next season

BROOKLYN, NY - MARCH 09: Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino yells at an official during the first half of the 2017 New York Life ACC Tournament third round game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Duke Blue Devils on March 9, 2017, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn,NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Longtime college basketball head coach Rick Pitino made his return to the NCAA in 2020 to take over the small Iona program.

But after two years of bringing a winning culture to the program, many are wondering if the 69 year old has another run in him with a blue-blood program.

Sure enough, it was reported this week that Maryland was looking to hire Rick Pitino away from Iona to fill their void prior to the start of next season.

When Rick Pitino saw the report, he made it clear that he has no intentions of finishing his coaching career anywhere besides Iona.

“The University of Maryland is one of the premier institutions of higher learning. It’s basketball program can be among the nation’s best. I hope they find the next great Gary Williams. I love coaching at Iona, and I’m totally committed to my players. It will not be me,” he said on Twitter.

Rick Pitino took Iona to the NCAA Tournament in his first season at the helm. And in his second year, he has the team at an impressive 24-5 clip heading into The Big Dance.

Over the course of his career, Pitino has made seven Final Fours, making at least one with Providence, Kentucky, and Louisville. He had his last National Championship title with Louisville stripped due to recruiting violations, and hasn’t been back to a major program since.

Perhaps Rick Pitino is truly content living out the rest of his career with Iona. Either that, or Maryland simply isn’t big enough for him to pounce at right now.

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