Rick Pitino, group seeking to buy Pau Orthez

Rick Pitino, the current Iona University and Greece national team coach, is spearheading an investment group that’s expressed interest in purchasing the French club Pau Orthez.

Pitino’s group includes former NBA player Jamal Mashburn and ex-NBA coach and league executive Stu Jackson.

In an interview with Gazzetta.gr, Pitino, who returned to the NCAA ranks with Iona this season, commented on the investment group’s intention. “I am part of the group looking for a way to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA,” Pitino said. “My suggestion was to first purchase a team in Europe for us to gain relevant experience.”

Which is why Rick Pitino and his group have their eyes on purchasing Pau Orthez. A deal could be imminent, according to published reports.

Rick Pitino, a well-traveled coach

The Basketball Hall of Fame coach left Greek team Panathinaikos in March 2020.

The 68-year-old has a long history of leading teams in the U.S. college ranks. It includes Boston University (1978-83), Providence College (1985-87), University of Kentucky (1989-97), and University of Louisville (2001-17).

Furthermore, Pitino guided the New York Knicks (1987-89) and Boston Celtics (1997-2001).

Mashburn played under Pitino at Kentucky. Jackson served as an assistant coach on Pitino’s Knicks staff and succeeded him as head coach.

On coaching during the pandemic

So what was it like for Rick Pitino to return to the college sideline last fall and lead Iona without fans in the stands due to the pandemic?

He addressed that question in an interiew with the New York Post.

“Very different. It’s an eerie feeling, it’s almost like you’re scrimmaging, except that you’re playing a real game,” Pitino said, according to the newspaper. “You hear everybody’s voices and it’s just totally different. It’s an eerie feeling not having fans. You don’t even see the announcers, you don’t say hello to the referees. It was totally different.”