MN gives Pitino $400,000 raise & 2 more years

[OnceAhawk]

Minnesota Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino is getting a $400,000 raise and a two-year extension on his contract, bringing his total annual salary to $1.6 million.

The salary increase was reported by the Pioneer Press, citing an anonymous source.

Pitino has been at the University of Minnesota for two season, compiling a 43-28 record, but failing to make the NCAA tournament both years. The Pioneer Press says the University of Alabama contacted Pitino during its coaching search in April, but didn't wind up hiring him.

 

[MitchL]

Jury is still out on whether this will end of being a good hire. Many Goofer fans seem unimpressed so far, by what I can determine listening to chatter anytime I have been in the State during MBB season. Minnesota has a lot of high school talent and he has yet to keep any top guys from leaving. He has shown a tendency to throw assts and some players "under the bus" when criticized for some decisions during games.

Even with a contract extension... I just don't see him being there long term if he doesn't make the Dance in the next two years.

 

[Cerro Gordo Hawk]

Pee Wee Herman.

 

[HerkyHopeful]

Jury is still out on whether this will end of being a good hire. Many Goofer fans seem unimpressed so far, by what I can determine listening to chatter anytime I have been in the State during MBB season. Minnesota has a lot of high school talent and he has yet to keep any top guys from leaving. He has shown a tendency to throw assts and some players "under the bus" when criticized for some decisions during games.

Even with a contract extension... I just don't see him being there long term if he doesn't make the Dance in the next two years.

If he does make the tournament, he won't be there long term either. He'll bolt south eventually, whether it's taking a "better" job or getting canned. His hair products can't take minnesota winters forever

 

[nu2u]

Everyone knows that Minnesota is a stepping stone for Pitino, Jr. Two to three more years sounds about right no matter how his team's finish. If he exceeds expectations, he will move on to a traditional basketball power. If he continues to languish, the fans will sour, and he will move laterally to another stepping stone school.

 

[hooper56]

Rumor was that little P was pursuing every available opening after last years 6-12 B1G season. I guess that gets you a fat raise in Minnesota.

 

[sloehawk]

Everyone knows that Minnesota is a stepping stone for Pitino, Jr. Two to three more years sounds about right no matter how his team's finish. If he exceeds expectations, he will move on to a traditional basketball power. If he continues to languish, the fans will sour, and he will move laterally to another stepping stone school.

Stepping Stone? He may very well step right into a Gopher Hole and never surface at a Power Conference school again. Let's face it, if this guy's name was Jones nobody would give a shit about him as a Basketball Coach. He is without question one of the least "scary" Coaches in the Big Ten, from any matrix you want to use.

The lesson to be learned here is this..................... it's great to have a famous Daddy.

 

[OnceAhawk]

and he is only 32 soon to be 33

 

[4th & 9 inches]

When did Gary Barta take the Minnesota AD job?

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

and he is only 32 soon to be 33

Really young and too early to tell what kind of success he will have over his career. The Goofers definitely underachieved last year, but yet he got a nice raise because of his family name. Another 6-12 in the B1G, and Goofer fans will be wanting a replacement.

 

[slipHawk]

400k raise for 6 and 12? Wow

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

A raise?!? Wtf? He is on the hot seat, and next in line to be fired in the B1G.

The Minnesota AD absolutely must be related to Barta.

 

[Cougar63]

Barta

 

[blockm2]

every time I watch a Minnesota game I like what they do. Then they go ahead and blow games they shouldn't. I'm not sure how much of that is coaching, but some of it has to be. Last year they were 3-9 in conference games decided by 6 points or fewer (or in OT). The previous year they were 4-5 in such games. 7-14 isn't such a great run in close games and a that's when coaching decisions are magnified.

One one hand he's so young you think he'll keep getting better. On the other hand nobody in their right mind thinks he plans to be at Minnesota for long so why should the Gophers throw more money at him?

For the record I'm a huge fan of his dad's coaching and think he is easily one of the best coaches in the last 20 years. I love his system.

 

[MitchL]

The situation in Gooferland reminds me a bit of when Iowa replaced Tom Davis. Minny pushed Tubby out the door and didn't really upgrade at all. I think Richard is in over his head in a Power 5 conference. The AD hit a homerun with Kill and it looks like he may have whiffed on the MBB hire. I like it!