Rick Pitino receives huge ovation in return to Kentucky | ESPN College Basketball

During Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness, former coach Rick Pitino returns and addresses the crowd in support of his former player and new Wildcats head coach Mark Pope.

[Kobebok]

Pitino brought UK basketball back to life. We will never forget.

[mgers]

Ive never seen Pitino get choked up like that in the 35 years ive followed him

[TheRCBuildersPost]

Welcome home, Pitino. Always welcome here!!

[shelbyesters]

Rick Pitino calling Kentucky Camelot is a statement of what Kentucky represents. It is and will always be the top of college basketball. GO BIG BLUE!!!

[justinmoran]

What a great Night for Kentucky basketball history! This goes beyond wins and trophies. This is amazing. Thanks for coming back coach pitino. You’re always welcome in Kentucky!

[madhattersc]

Long overdue. Was great to see this finally happen.

[darthrevan]

He deserves this. Yes he made mistakes, who hasn't, but what he did for UK was and always will be special. Welcome home!!

[majorcajun]

UK would be ahead of UCLA in nattys if he had never left

[davidfrey]

Love to see Coach Pitino get so much love. As a BYU fan, I’m grateful that Pope has this opportunity to coach at his legendary Alma Mater.

BYU is looking good this year so Pope just opened up more opportunity for others. It’s all good.

I’m a Kentucky fan now too and am rooting for Pope and his squad.

[wildcatrewind]

Coach Pitino is my all time favorite coach. My parent took me to watch his teams when I was very young and made core memories for me. I re.ember asking why he never sat down lol and my dad said bc he wins😊

[McDreamyn_mdphd]

I'm so glad the Mark Pope opened the door for Rick Pitino to come back and receive the welcome he deserves. I don't know if Coach P ever said it out loud, but I'll bet he totally regrets leaving UK. Big Blue Nation also showed a lot of class in welcoming him back.

[lisamcdonald-lmis]

I am not a KY fan, but the welcome they show coach P is remarkable! You guys made me a true believer and i will be rooting for BBN! Thamks Coach Pope and look forward to watching you grow, way to go

[gregtoy]

Had pitino never left this would be him passing the torch to Pope possibly, either way glad to see him back at home in good graces with fans🔥🔥🔥

[dannyjaynes]

That was one of the best things I've ever seen in college basketball, GO BIG BLUE 💙💙💙

[bubbawatson]

People only knew, he got us back, and the groups he did it with. We were a nobody, beating shq

[mrmidwest]

I ROCK WITH COACH P HE'S A LEGEND FOR SURE‼️‼️

[billwilliamson]

First time in years I’ve got chills from a Kentucky coach this is it. Let’s go get #9

[jmcgee]

Kentucky Wildcat fans, Acknowledge him.

[RobbieStacks]

The '96 Kentucky Wildcats just might have been the greatest college basketball team of all-time. I would only put the '09 Tar Heels, Anthony Davis' UK team, and maybe last year's UConn team in the same class.

[gsenek]

Tell me who's in the house tonight? UK!!!