Why Rick Pitino Must Go

Anytime an individual takes on the responsibilities of a public position; whether a public employee, elected official, or basketball coach of a state funded university, that individual enters a high stakes game whether he knows it or not. The rewards can be great but the risks can be great as well. Case in point: The public mess involving University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and Karen Sypher. What I find most troubling is the lack of any tangible consequences associated with Mr. Pitino's "mistake." I am fully aware that what he did with Sypher under the cover of darkness goes on all the time between men and women in just about every possible situation. I am also aware that Ms. Sypher is most likely over the top in her attempts to cash in on her end of the deal and talk to anybody with a pen, tape recorder, video camera or other media-type device in hand.

However, here's the rub - Pitino is attempting to silence the very same people he embraces when chalking up wins for the basketball program. He wants people to "move on" (a convenient phrase that's way over-used today). In other words he wants it both ways. He chases after the media, business leaders, sponsors, donors and fans when it benefits him. However, he runs from the media and critics when he is not cast in the kind of light he approves of. What the embattled coach forgets is his employment is a privilege - not a right. When he stepped into his profession and the limelight, he lost is ability to live his life like most of us do. Why? - Because he impacts so many people in many ways. Whether you agree with the details of the scandal or not, he needs to come to grips with the fact that if you play with fire (like he has for years) you are going to get burned and burned in public.

Sorry Rick: You live by the sword - you die by the sword - No free pass!

Do yourself and all of us a big favor and resign with some level of honest repentance and let us "move on." There is no doubt that we (U of L Supporters) can have a top ten coach with personal integrity - the kind of integrity that's the same behind closed doors in the dark as is out in the open and in the light.