Pitino settles with Louisville, ready for 'new chapter'


View all (3)

So the University of Louisville Athletic Association and Pitino settled lawsuits stemming from his departure from the school, with the former men's basketball coach's personnel file changing his termination to a resignation. He received no money in the settlement.


In a statement issued Wednesday through lawyer Steve Pence, Pitino said he was moving on "to a new chapter in my life."

"Against my lawyer's advice I'm dropping my lawsuit with ULAA," Pitino said. "I am very proud of the many accomplishments my teams achieved at Louisville. I'm so thankful and honored to coach such dedicated athletes. I'm also disappointed in how it ended. But as head coach I am held responsible for the actions of all team members."


Athletic director Vince Tyra called the settlement "a terrific outcome for the university. ... We were solid in our stance from the very beginning that this was a zero liability for us."



Pitino also said he was unaware of the preceding 2015 sex scandal that cost Louisville its 2013 NCAA championship. The NCAA ordered the vacation of 123 victories, including the Cardinals' third national title and their 2012 Final Four appearance, following an escort's allegations that former staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with players and recruits.

The school acknowledged Pitino's success and commitment to his players in a joint statement that thanked him for his service. But it also reiterated infractions under his watch that led to "serious consequences" for Louisville.

"Although these infractions may not have occurred at Coach Pitino's discretion or with his knowledge," the statement said, "the problems leading to the NCAA infractions happened under his leadership. ... Coach Pitino and the University of Louisville have mutually agreed to dismiss their legal claims against each other, designate his departure as a resignation, and move forward."


