The best way to compete against Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino may be to ensure that he has zero adversity in his life.
CBSSports.com reported that the Cardinals' coach, who led Louisville to the national championship in 2013, has faced his share of adversity throughout his coaching career, but seemingly has become not only a stronger person but also a better coach for it.
According to CBSSports.com, Pitino was willing to resign in 2009 after announcing that he had a sexual relationship with the wife of Louisville equipment manager Tim Sypher - just four months after announcing that she was attempting to extort him.
The school administration stood by him, and he got the program back on track and led the team to the Final Four in 2012 and a title last season.
Pitino came to Louisville after an unsuccessful four-year stint as president and head coach of the Boston Celtics from the 1997-98 season to the 2000-2001 season.
He told CBSSports.com that he knew why he failed with the Celtics and used that knowledge to help the Cardinals get to the Final Four in 2005.
Pitino had similar success during his first transition from the NBA back to the college ranks. He had revitalized the New York Knicks, leading the team to a 52-30 record and an Atlantic Division championship in 1988-89 when he abruptly jilted the team to become coach of the struggling Kentucky Wildcats program.
Kentucky finished with a 13-19 record in 1988-89 and was placed on a two-year probation, a year before Pitino's arrival. After a 14-14 record his first season with the Wildcats, Pitino led Kentucky to four conference championships, six NCAA Tournament appearances, three Final Fours and a title in 1997.
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