ESPN.com - NCB - Users to Pitino: Welcome home!

Rick Pitino is back in familiar territory. The former Kentucky and Boston Celtics coach has headed back to the Bluegrass State as head coach at Louisville. In eight years at UK, Pitino had a 219-50 record. The Cards hope he brings the same success to UL.


	Many users agreed that Rick Pitino's return to Kentucky is a good thing for college basketball.

We wanted to know your thoughts on Pitino's return to the college ranks. What kind of impact will he make at Louisville? How fast can he return the program back to the nation's elite? Here's what you had to say.

Welcome back
He makes those who hated him have to love him and those who thought he was bigger than God pretend they never liked him! "This is it" all over again for the CARDS. Final Four, here come the crazy UL fans.

Jenny Dobbins
Louisville, Ky.

I am very happy that Rick Pitino is coming back to Bluegrass State. I am a UK fan, but I am also a Rick Pitino fan. He has the potential to take UL to a stronger conference than C-USA. It's good to have you back in Kentucky, Rick!

Sam Verenna
Louisville, Ky.

I think it's great. I wish some guys would realize that they belong in the NCAA and not everyone can coach in the NBA. I love the way Rick can handle the kids. I hope that he stays for a long time. Maybe it will put Louisville back in the top 10.

Gary
Plainville, Conn.

I hope Rick makes a huge impact for the University of Louisville. I look forward to his style of running up and down the floor shooting 3's. UL will get the chance to see what Kentucky and Tubby Smith were handed in 1998.

James Raisor
Somerset, Ky.

I congratulate Rick on his decision. He has a challenging job ahead of him. Even though I am Kentucky fan, I think this will do wonders for recruiting in the Kentucky area and will also put a charge into a rivalry that is long over due.

Chuck Knight
Louisville, Ky.

Louisville is very fortunate to land Rick Pitino. Rick is a great coach, recruiter, and has NBA connections. I see him re-establishing the Louisville program to the top 10 in similar timing as he did at Kentucky. I would be a little nervous if I was a UK fan. Rick will steal the spotlight in Kentucky, and eventually, Louisville's program will surpass UK's in terms of success.

David Doolittle
Bangor, Maine

Pitino's hiring is a big boost not only for the Cardinals, but for Conference USA. Hopefully, Pitino can put Louisville back on the national scene and Conference USA, too.

Charlie Kopp
St. Louis, Miss.

I'm glad that Louisville got a coach of Pitino's caliber and hopefully his apparent love of the state of Kentucky will keep him around for a while. He's a proven recruiter and a good game coach, and he's definitely starting off with a better program than he was at UK back in '89.

Steve Koonce
Blacksburg, Va.

I wish Rick the best. He's really is a fine coach and a good man. He has a tough job at a school that has fallen off the recruiting top level, in a conference that is battered by mediocrity. For the first time, he has to rescue not merely a program, but a whole conference.

Vince
New York, N.Y.

The return of Rick Pitino to college basketball is bad news to everyone but Louisville. He is the only coach in the nation who can bring back a program in a matter of two years. He is an amazing college coach as he uses a highly effective full-court press and an up-tempo offense. And recruits will be coming to him because he is a household name.

Bryan Muha
Bloomington, Ind.

Sense of betrayal
How many other coaches have ever left to coach against a former rival school? Expecially in the same state and only an hour apart. I think it's in very bad taste. I have lost my respect for him. He could have coached anywhere else in the country.

Doug Minor
Newburgh, Ind.

At UK, we were hurt when Pitino left, but now we're just plain pissed. He's forgotten a lot about the Bluegrass State if he truly believes that he will be accepted there. UK hates Louisville and now we have even more reason to.

Ian Vincent
Port Charlotte, Fla.

I am deeply hurt by his decision. I feel a degree of loyalty has been tarnished. He left us for something "better" which now turns out to be UL, our biggest rival. This is ridiculous. Now instead of spending his life with his love – UK – he'll be spending it with our biggest rival.

Robbie Corbitt
Louisville, Ky.

Pitino has forever tarnished his once-brilliant legacy within the storied history that is KENTUCKY basketball. If he is too "small-minded" to understand this, well, then he never understood what KENTUCKY basketball is all about. He is a ego-driven, lying, attention-crazy Benedict Arnold.

Todd Milici
Denver, Colo.

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