Pitino fired from U of L

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ)- The end of the line for one of the best known coaches in the country.

Rick pitino is out at Louisville, weeks after a bribery scandal surfaces in the world of college basketball.

After hours of deliberation, U of L’s 28 member athletic association voted unanimously this afternoon to fire coach Rick Pitino, saying he violated his contract through his alleged involvement in three high profile controversies.

The association, made up of a mix of trustees, faculty, students and administrators cited Pitino’s alleged involvement in a nationwide bribery scheme as a major factor in their decision.

Pitino was put on unpaid leave back in September after a federal investigation into the bribery of student-athletes was made public.

Pitino’s lawyer released a 50-plus page statement Monday defending the coaches actions saying he was not directly involved in any scheme, even including evidence Pitino passed a lie detector test.

“Take a close look at what we’ve submitted and what they alleged coach number 2 did and what he didn’t do. There’s not evidence to indicate that coach number 2 either knew or could have known about this scam that’s being run by these characters in this scheme,” said Stephen Pence, Pitino’s lawyer.

U of L interim president, Greg Postel says the university stands by its decision to fire Pitino.

The association also voted to make interim head coach David Padgett officially the acting head coach.