Latest Rick Pitino Comment

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I saw a recent comment from Rick Pitino that he was suggesting Jay Bilas as a candidate for the new Big East commisioner.

[The Process]

Yup - that comment (and Bilas' response) can be found here.

Pitino said Bilas, who holds a law degree from Duke and is a practicing attorney, is "obviously intelligent."

He says Bilas' presence, public speaking ability, background in college sports issues and breadth of experience would all work to his advantage as Big East commissioner.

Bilas did rebuff it though.

"Interesting idea and really flattering," Bilas told SportsNet New York. "I'm not sure the Big East Presidents are ready for a little Jeezy bumping in the Big East hallways. It would be nice to earn almost as much as the NCAA president, though."

[MUBurrow]

the fact that Pitino made the comment out of pure grab-assiness aside, I really like Bilas, and think he would be great in a role like that. only problem though, as ironic and sad as it is in the wake of all the PSU developments, is that Bilas likely has far too antagonistic a relationship with the NCAA than would be good out of a conference president.

[Dawson Rental]

For all the crap Pitino takes around here (probably deserved), he does come up with some ideas.  I liked adding Memphis, and i like this idea, too.

[TallTitan34]

He has a law background and has a relationship with ESPN.  Love the idea.

Pitino might be a piece of garbage, but he is a very smart guy.

[MUfan12]

Loved Bilas' remark that the first thing he would do is appoint Raftery as hospitality chair, so the BE Tournament would be an open bar.

[Golden Avalanche]

He has a law background and has a relationship with ESPN.  Love the idea.

Pitino might be a piece of garbage, but he is a very smart guy.

This.

It's one thing to dislike Slick Rick due to his white suit, 15 seconds of fury, or massive Italian ego but this wasn't exactly such a shocking thought. Pitino knows what he's doing -- he's getting the Big East name out there positively just days after Boeheim basically said the conference has become crap.

Considering the leadership of the last few years and what it has wrought for the conference, I would love to have Bilas in the chair even if it meant Jeezy was on the speakers.