N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts said when Louisville coach Rick Pitino hired him to be his assistant in 2011, Pitino told him over the phone, that he doesn’t hire assistant coaches, he hires “future head coaches.”
That stuck with him, Keatts said during the Triangle Men’s Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon on Friday.
Keatts said Pitino had a great influence on him.
He said during the first week of practice after he arrived at Louisville, the team looked good. After practice Pitino called Keatts and another assistant coach into his office.
“I’m thinking he’s about to praise us.