Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino recently implied that he was offered the Maryland head coaching job during the Terps’ search last year.
An extensive interview with Matt Norlander of CBS Sports revealed the implication from Pitino.
“I was offered three really good jobs last year,” Pitino said. “But I told the one job, it was a big-time job, I said, ‘Look, I’ve got a $5 million buyout. I had $10 million prior to that. I’m not worth that.'”
Sources told CBS Sports that the job Pitino was alluding to is Maryland.
Pitino is currently in the midst of his third season as head coach of the Iona basketball program.
“The University of Maryland is one of the premier institutions of higher learning,” Pitino tweeted last year in response to reports about the Terps’ job. “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.”
Instead of Pitino, Maryland hired Kevin Willard. The Terrapins are 18-9 to start the 2022-23 season.