Naismith Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino has turned down an offer to return as president and coach of Panathinaikos, the franchise he led to a Greek League championship this season, Pitino told ESPN on Friday.
Pitino wants to return to a full-time pursuit of a job in the NBA -- coaching, player personnel or an advisory role, he said.
He led Panathinaikos to a Greek Cup title, completing a 15-0 season. The team was 7-0 when Pitino arrived. Pitino led the team into postseason play in the EuroLeague playoffs too.
Pitino is one of his generation's most celebrated coaches and innovators, winning NCAA titles at Kentucky and Louisville, reaching seven Final Fours and claiming conference titles in the Big East, SEC and ACC.