Louisville Talk Show Host Says Fans Want to Move on From Pitino
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Former Providence College basketball head coach Rick Pitino and his Louisville Cardinals basketball program are currently fighting a pay-for-sex scandal in which former director of basketball operations Andre McGee allegedly paid for recruits and players to have sex with dancers at parties on campus from 2010-2014. The scandal has brought into question Rick Pitino's future at the program.
"There is a group of fans, larger today than 24 hours ago, that would like to see new blood in the basketball program. I think the majority of fans like Pitino and wish it didn't have to happen, but feel the program would be better served getting through this scandal with someone new," said Mike Rutherford, a sports talk radio show host on 93.9 The Ville in Louisville, Kentucky.
The reason for the growing movement against Pitino, according to Rutherford, is "Scandal Fatigue," as Louisville has endured a number of sports scandals over the years, including Rick Pitino's own personal sex scandal in 2003.
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What's Next
As new information comes out on nearly a daily basis and the college basketball season is just weeks away, there are still plenty of questions to be answered, and plenty more that will come about the program and what Pitino knew.
For Rick Pitino's part, he has denied having any knowledge of the scandal which was brought to light in a book, "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen," published this month by Katina Powell, one of the escorts that was paid $10,000 by McGee for supplying dancers during the time period.
"I don't think he [Pitino] had any idea any of this was going on. But, the thing is, the NCAA changed the plausible deniability rule so that can't be his excuse anymore. The question now is what price should he pay for something being done under his watch? How could he have known and what should he be doing better," said Rutherford.
Season approaching
The Cardinals open their season on November 13th against Samford at home in what could be a fascinating atmosphere. Until then, Rutherford says "fans are waiting for the next news, they are waiting for Louisville to swing back and hoping that there is good information that makes Louisville look more favorable.
I Mean, everything is predicated on the next move."
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