Pitino Agrees to a 7-Year Kentucky Deal

Rick Pitino took over Kentucky’s shaken basketball program Thursday with a stern warning to boosters to “stay away from our practices, stay away from my players.”

The former New York Knicks coach agreed to a seven-year contract, reportedly worth $6 million, and in return inherited a program that is on a three-year probation for recruiting violations.

Pitino’s hiring was unanimously approved by the school’s athletics board. His contract carries a base salary of $105,000, but that figure will grow substantially with outside income from a package that includes television and radio programs, endorsements and clinics.

“It was a lateral move economically,” said Pitino, who reportedly earned $425,000 a year with the Knicks.

Pitino exchanged a National Basketball Assn. team that won the Atlantic Division title for a Kentucky team that lacks size, strength and numbers, and was 13-19 last season, the first losing record in school history. “I gave up a lot,” he said. “I gave up a potential championship to come to Kentucky.”

Pitino met with his players for about 40 minutes Thursday. Forward Reggie Hanson is the only one of last season’s starters who says he definitely will return to Kentucky. Aside from Hanson and Sean Woods, a redshirt freshman guard, the rest of the players are considering transfers.