Today in Boston Celtics history, then-Celtics head coach and President of Basketball Operations Rick Pitino resigned from his two jobs with the team in 2001.
Pitino joined the Celtics in 1997 to start his second coaching stint in the NBA (he had been the head coach of the New York Knicks previously) after almost securing an NCAA title with the Kentucky Wildcats at the college level, losing in overtime to the University of Arizona. Things did not go as well with the Celtics though, with his hastiness with remaking the roster to his liking, the resulting trades he made failing to produce a winning season during his time with the team.
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This would result in a 102-146 record during his tenure, as well as the famous “Larry Bird is not walking through that door” rant.
1 Apr 1998: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. The Celtics defeated the Magic 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Unable to adapt to the NBA, Pitino instead chose to resign. Speaking to the media upon his planned exit, the New York native said (via ABC news’ Jimmy Golen):
“Sometimes change is good just for the sake of change when things aren’t going well … I love the Boston Celtics, and I’ll always be a fan … This organization has treated me like royalty since I came here. But you know, I’ve been going at this pretty hard now for three and a half years and I haven’t seen many results. It hurts, but life goes on, and it will for the players and for the people in this organization.”
Pitino was soon replaced by the front office in his role as head coach by assistant coach Jim O’Brien.
Historic milestones
It is also the anniversary of former Celtic champion center Robert Parish pulling down his 13,000th rebound in a 102-88 win over the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets.
Boston Celtic great Robert Parish (L) raises the banner with his number “00” to the rafters as his mother (R) looks on, in Boston during ceremonies to retire Parish’s number January 18. Parish played for Boston for fourteen seasons winning three NBA championships during that span. SPORT NBA
Chief — as he was called — became just the ninth person in league history at that time to hit that lofty number, where he currently sits in eighth place, just behind Karl Malone and a little ahead of Kevin Garnett.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Pitino resigns as coach, president; Parish 13k boards