In 1989, Newton's alma mater, the University of Kentucky, persuaded him to replace athletic director Cliff Hagan and help navigate the stormy waters of an NCAA probation. Newton's first move as AD was to hire then-New York Knicks coach Rick Pitino. Three years later, the Wildcats bounced back from their probation with a core of mostly Kentucky-born players known affectionately to fans as "The Unforgettables." The group—consisting of Sean Woods, Deron Feldhaus, Richie Farmer, and John Pelphrey—lost to Duke in overtime of the 1992 NCAA Tournament East Regional final, a matchup many consider the greatest college basketball game ever played. Pitino would lead Kentucky to three Final Four appearances and the 1996 NCAA Championship before his departure in 1997.