Minnesota hires FIU’s Richard Pitino
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota has picked 30-year-old up-and-comer Richard Pitino to take over for Tubby Smith.
The university announced on Wednesday evening that it has reached an agreement to bring Pitino to the Golden Gophers after one season at Florida International. Athletic director Norwood Teague says full terms of the contract will be finished later in the week.
In his lone season at Florida International, Pitino led the Panthers to an 18-14 record, the school’s first winning season in 13 years. He turns 31 in September, fitting the profile of the young, up-and-comer that Teague has preferred to hire in the past.
Smith was fired last week after six seasons at Minnesota. He was hired at Texas Tech on Monday.
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