Coach Pitino In Talks With Iona For Lifetime Contract: Report

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Rick Pitino is in negotiations with Iona to sign a lucrative lifetime contract, according to NCAA reporter Adam Zagoria.

In his first season at Iona in 2020, he took his new team to the MAAC Tournament championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This season, Iona is not only being talked about as a likely at-large selection for the "big dance," but the Gaels are seeking to become the only third team to go undefeated in MACC play.

SEE ALSO: Iona Books Ticket To The Big Dance

After winning his 800th career game on Sunday, he said he hoped to be at Iona for his 1,000th victory.

"I told the team that I’m glad that I got 800 here, but I said I want to get another 200 here and God willing I don’t roll a seven anytime soon, maybe it will happen," Pitino told Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog following the history-making victory on Jan. "This is a great job, we can make this into something really, really special."

Pitino’s name usually comes up when a job opens at big name programs, but the coach has given every indication he is happy right where he is. The coach has a home on the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck and a lifetime contract at Iona will let him stay close to the links.

“It’s a small school that you appreciate all the little things,” he added. “It doesn’t have the big things, it doesn’t have the bells and whistles that I had at Louisville and Kentucky, but none of that bothers me."

Pitino came to Iona after being ousted from his job at Louisville in 2017 in the wake of a scandal at the program. He won NCAA championships at Kentucky and Louisville. The Louisville championship was later vacated because of the violations that eventually led to his firing.

SEE ALSO:

• Tide Nets No. 2 NCAA Tourney Seed, Will Face Rick Pitino & Iona
• Rick Pitino Sues Louisville For $38.7M Over Firing
• Rick Pitino 'Fired' By Louisville Amid Scandal