Columnist Ron Kantowski: Time to tell Rick: ‘Take it or leave it’

Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001 | 10:46 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column appears Thursday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088.

Am I the only one who thinks it's about time UNLV takes the fiddle out of Rick Pitino's hands?

The deposed Boston Celtics coach has been playing the Rebels' administration and fans like Charlie Daniels virtually from the day he resigned and the Celts embarked on a long winning streak.

One day he wants the UNLV men's basketball job, the next day he doesn't. First, he says the only obstacle that's preventing him from taking it are the Rebels' NCAA sanctions and how they'll effect recruiting. Then Tuesday, he goes on ESPN's "Up Close" and tells host Gary Miller the only obstacle now is whether he wants to raise his children in our evil city. (He didn't say evil, but believe me, that was the inference.)

If you're one of the few beautiful people on Gucci Row who actually go to Rebels games for the basketball instead of to kiss each other on the cheek and socialize, you figure that last weekend's meeting with UNLV president Carol Harter and her sidekick, athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro, must have put Pitino's mind at ease about the sanctions. And thus this new concern about metal detectors in our schools and second-hand smoke in our casinos.

Well, that might wash -- had the interview with Miller not been taped before the meeting with Harter and Cavagnaro at the Regent Beverly (Hills) Wilshire. (What, you were expecting they'd get together at the Torrance Best Western?)

To the casual observer, Pitino looks befuddled by the prospect of coaching the Rebels. It's as if there's 0.8 seconds to play, and Christian Laettner is standing by his lonesome at the top of the key, waiting to become a hero.

Does he contest the inbounds pass or doesn't he? Does he take the UNLV job or does he turn it down?

Frankly, I think Pitino already has made up his mind, only he's not saying. I believe he already has told Steve Wynn "I'm your man" or is just using UNLV as a safety valve, in the event a bigger job doesn't come open.

Like UCLA, for instance. Last week, Pitino succinctly stated he was not interested in the Bruins' job, which (based on his team's recent performance) Steve Lavin seems determined to hold on to.

But then there was this exchange between Pitino and Miller on TV Tuesday:

Pitino: "I'm not interested in coaching UCLA.

Miller: "Can you repeat that?"

Pitino: "I am not interested in coaching UCLA, or any job where they have a coach (sorry Max Good, you apparently don't qualify). If there's a vacancy out there and it fits my competitive needs, and I fit their competitive needs, then it's something that could work."

I've heard stronger denials from a kid with his hands full of Oreos standing beside an empty cookie jar.

There is no question in my mind that Rick Pitino would have the Rebels back on top in two years' time, if not sooner. But at some point, UNLV has got to stop acting as if it's Miami of Ohio.

The Rebels' basketball program still has equity. It needs to remind Pitino of that, and then get an offer on the table. Give him a night to sleep on it. Then call a news conference to announce the second coming of John Wooden, or to say we're moving on to Plan B.

It's time for UNLV to stop with the Captain Ahab routine and start making some demands of Moby Rick.