Summary of Michael Sokolove's The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino

Book excerpt: Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Tom Jurich, the University of Louisville’s athletic director, had taken over in 1997. He was a genius at forging relationships and understanding what his partners wanted. He was a coach whisperer who could identify young assistants from elsewhere and elevate Louisville teams to prominence. #2 The football stadium was undergoing a $63 million expansion. The university had a new interim president, Gregory Postel, a radiologist turned administrator who had come over from the medical school. But he was seated away from the podium at a table with executives from Thornton’s, a Louisville-based gas and convenience store chain. People noticed. #3 Rick Pitino was a New York native and a Sinatra-like posse member who kept late hours. He was often accompanied by what Jonathan Blue referred to as his Sinatra-like posse. He had control over the Louisville basketball program, down to the smallest detail. #4 Pitino was a basketball coach at his core, and he was the best college coach of his generation. He had been close to signing with Michigan, a more prestigious university and job, but he cowardice stopped him.