Florida coach Billy Donovan has hired Richard Pitino as an assistant coach, replacing Shaka Smart. Smart left the Gators’ bench to take VCU’s head coaching position. Pitino comes to Gainesville after working as an assistant at College of Charleston, Northeastern, Duquesne and Louisville. He is the son of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who coached Donovan as a player at Kentucky. Donovan commented on his relationship with the Pitino family in a university press release.
“I’ve known Richard his whole life. I feel like we’re getting a terrific recruiter, basketball coach and person. We’re also getting somebody that also understands our program and system because of the similarities between what we do and what Louisville does.”
