The American Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino has dismissed reports that he'd been offered the head coaching position at the New Zealand Breakers.
Rick Pinto. Photo: SI
The New York Times reported the Breakers' American ownership group has been "pitching" the idea to Pitino's agent this week.
"It's total BS - someone trying to poke fun at me," the former Louisville coach said via text message to USA Today.
"Lot of comedians out of work."
Former NBA player Matt Walsh, who played for Pitino protege Billy Donovan at the University of Florida, headed a group that purchased the Auckland-based Breakers franchise in February.
Breakers coach Pail Henare resigned earlier this month.
65-year-old Pitino has been out of a coaching job since being fired by Louisville College in October.
In his 44 year coaching career, Pitino has won two US National College titles and also coached the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics in the NBA.
