Wynn keeping mum on Pitino

Steve Addy

Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2001 | 10:05 a.m.

If Steve Wynn has contacted Rick Pitino about being UNLV's next basketball coach, he doesn't plan to share that information.

Wynn, owner of the Desert Inn, refused to confirm or deny reports that he flew to Boston in the last two weeks to gauge Pitino's interest in the Rebels' job.

Pitino resigned Monday as head coach and president of the Celtics and told associates he has interest in UNLV if coach Max Good isn't retained next season.

University officials say they have not contacted Pitino or anybody else about the job, but ESPN and others reported that Wynn and Pitino have held informal discussions.

"I know nothing," Wynn said Monday while leaving UNLV's 65-54 victory over Air Force at the Thomas & Mack Center. "I have no comment whatsoever on this whole subject."

Asked if reports of his meeting with Pitino were accurate, Wynn said with a chuckle, "Hardly anything that's ever reported is accurate, in my experience."

Wynn watched from courtside with wife Elaine, who attends most UNLV home games. She also wouldn't comment, other than to say, "The proper (person) to ask is Carol Harter."

Harter, the UNLV president, was not available for comment Monday while attending the NCAA convention in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro also wouldn't comment.

Pitino is keeping a low profile in Miami Beach. He issued a resignation statement through the Celtics, but has not commented on his future. Attempts to reach Pitino through a longtime associate were unsuccessful.

"He has a million people trying to call him right now," said the former NBA team official who requested anonymity. "I know UNLV is one of the schools coming after him. He's going to listen if they offer something, but I think he'll listen to other (schools), too."

Sources close to the Michigan program say Wolverines boosters have also contacted Pitino, anticipating the firing of coach Brian Ellerbe after the season.

Like Michigan, the Rebels still have a coach. Under Max Good, who replaced Bill Bayno on Dec. 12, UNLV has a 7-1 record with seven straight wins. After Monday's victory, Good said the outside distractions aren't making his job easier.

"We really haven't addressed (the rumors) with the team. We have not said a word about it," Good said. "Maybe that's not the right approach to take. I have acted like I'm oblivious to it, because the job is tough enough. You have to be positive all the time."

If it makes Good feel better, Steve Wynn was highly complimentary of his coaching Monday.

"Our coach played a very good defensive game," Wynn said. "I watched his TV program (on Sunday) and he played it just the way he said he would. (Good) said it was all about defense and robbing (Air Force) of their backdoor layups."

The announced crowd of 10,559 didn't seem unusually affected by the Wynn-Pitino reports. A few fans held up pro-Pitino signs, but Good was greetly warmly and it was one of the loudest home crowds all season.