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Report: Richard Pitino hired to replace Isiah Thomas as head coach at FIU

RichardPitino

Anthony Wireman of AllKyHoops.com first reported and other outlets have confirmed that Louisville associate head coach Richard Pitino will replace Isiah Thomas as head coach at Florida International.

Pitino, son of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, worked under his father for a total of three seasons in two different stints with the Cardinals, having previously been an assistant at Florida, Duquense, Northeastern, and Charleston.

He is a graduate of Providence College and served as the team’s manager under then-head coach Tim Welsh.

The Cardinals reached the Final Four this past season under Pitino’s watch, going 30-10 before losing to eventual national champions Kentucky in New Orleans.

Florida International has struggled in the past three seasons under Thomas, who was fired on April 6. The Golden Panthers went a combined 26-65 in three seasons with Thomas at the helm.

The team made headlines this week, as the basketball team walked out of an awards banquet in protest of Thomas’ firing.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_