I'm not usually one to spread rumors but I heard one and hadn't seen it out there yet. I have on good information (who doesn't) that UK contacted Pitino last week just to gauge his interest in coming back. Gillespe's out. The specifics mentioned included $6 million / year (making him the highest paid college coach and the second-highest paid coach in all of sports behind only Rick Adelman of the NBA Kings at $6.9M). He would also be offered positions on the boards of directors at two Lexington Companies (I heard Banks specifically)*. Now this is just rumor I know. He's already one of the best paid college coaches but I don't think Louisville can match that number. If I were running the UK coaching search, I'd make two calls right off -- Pitino and Billy Donovan. Donovan has had some unhappy fans with back to back NIT's (he'd hear about that at UK as well of course) and may be on the market. Pitino always listens to suitors and showed last spring that he's considering offers. And UK is the perfect job for him too. No man loves being the center of attention more than he does. We'll just have to wait and see.

You know what the most surprising thing about all this is? That Rick Adelman is the world's highest paid coach. I didn't even know who he was. Who knew?

Anyhow he's done great things at this program. Even if he leaves, if we can get the national championship this year he's OK in my book.

*Luther Deaton is chairman, president and CEO of Central Bank and Trust Co. and Central Bancshares, Inc. based in Lexington, Kentucky. He also sits on the UK Athletic Association board of directors.