Rick Pitino Hired as Greece's National Team Coach

Rick Pitino has accepted the job as Greece's national team coach, which is aiming to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.

Rick Pitino has been hired to coach Greece's national basketball team, he announced on Twitter on Friday.

The team looks to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and will participate in an Olympic qualifying tournament in June. 

Really honored to be coaching the Greek National team. Have a lot of work and preparation ahead but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) November 8, 2019

Pitino could coach Bucks star and NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who played for Greece at this year's World Cup. His brother Thanasis also plays for the team.

Last year, Pitino coached Panathinaikos in the Greek league. The team finished the season as the Greek Cup and league champions after sweeping the Promitheas Patras in the Finals. In June, Pitino turned down an offer to return as president and coach to pursue an NBA coaching job.

Before leaving for Greece, Pitino won NCAA titles at Kentucky and Louisville, reaching seven Final Fours and claiming conference titles in the Big East, SEC and ACC. His national title victory and two Final Four appearances at Louisville were vacated after a slew of scandals led to his firing in 2018.

Pitino coached the Celtics in 2001, resigning early in his fourth season with a 102–146 record. He also coached the Knicks in the late 1980s and reached the playoffs twice (1988, 1989) before leaving for Kentucky.

The Greek basketball federation plans to introduce Pitino on Monday and release more details on his agreement.