Pitino backs off UNLV visit

Steve Addy

Monday, Jan. 15, 2001 | 10:47 a.m.

PROVO, Utah -- Rick Pitino says he isn't coming to Las Vegas this week after all.

Now the question is, will he ever show up to check out the UNLV basketball coaching job, or has his interest dwindled?

After saying last week that he could accept the Rebels job "very soon," Pitino said Sunday he wants to take more time to consider his coaching future and would visit Las Vegas "once the season is over."

His previous stated timetable was to decide on the Rebels' job within two weeks.

"I have asked (UNLV) for a little time," Pitino told the Boston Globe from his home in Miami. "I am not going to go out there until I'm more serious about it. I promised my wife (Joanne) I would take more time before I jump into anything.

"I'm still interested (in the job), but I'm backing off a little bit. Once the season is over, I'll probably take a trip out there."

Pitino, also rumored as a candidate for potential openings at UCLA, Michigan and Kentucky, said UNLV isn't necessarily at the top of his list.

"I wouldn't say so," Pitino said. "It's the only job open in America, and there's tremendous potential ... but before I jump, I'd like to research what I am going to do. If it's not (best) for me, I can wait."

Pitino also hinted that he can take more time because he does not see any urgency regarding the Rebels' recruiting. They have signed three prospects in the early period.

"I did some research," Pitino said. "They only have one scholarship (left to give) and there is no advantage to checking (the job) out early."

That is not necessarily the case. Though the Rebels have lost two scholarships for 2001 because of NCAA sanctions, they should have an extra one to give because freshman Steve Scoggin has left the program.

Pitino hasn't been officially offered the job by UNLV president Carol Harter, but the two sides have swapped contract proposals, according to a source in Las Vegas with knowledge of the talks. Pitino is said to want a seven-year deal with an escape clause, and a few "unusual" requests.

"The offer is there, and so is the money," the source said.

Pitino had said he would meet with Harter and athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro in Las Vegas, but his apparent change of plans doesn't necessarily mean he has decided against the job.

One possibility is that Pitino has already chosen to become the Rebels' coach next season, but doesn't want to appear to be pushing Max Good out of the position. If Pitino visited this week and said he liked what he saw, he would appear to be making a lame duck of Good, under whom UNLV is 7-2.

Another scenario is that Pitino still intends to visit Las Vegas this week, but hopes to sneak into town without fanfare. That is, without media camping out at the airport or waiting for his limo to pull into the Thomas & Mack Center under cover of darkness.