"I would definitely cut a check if Mark Pope needs me for anything": Rick Pitino shows love for Kentucky nation with his latest NIL comment

Rick Pitino appears to still have an affinity for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program. Pitino was the head coach of the program previously, and the current HC of St John's still cares about the Wildcats.

On Thursday, Pitino made an appearance on KSR, hosted by broadcaster Jack Pilgrim. During the show, he spoke about the Wildcats' football program and mentioned that he did make a donation to the program's NIL fund.

"Well, I actually cut a check to the football program because I’m a casual friend of Mark [Stoops] and Eddie Gran. I cut a check to the football program."

However, the program's NIL scheme (used to keep Kentucky as a desirable destination for potential recruits) is not the only thing that Pitino would be happy donating to.

"I would definitely cut a check if Mark [Pope] needs me for anything no matter what it is. Except for my first-born, Michael? He can have it... I absolutely love Mark and would do anything for his program."

Rick Pitino and new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope have been trading compliments over the last few weeks. Pitino is a fan of Pope, and the pair are up for having a match of their respective programs in the future.

Rick Pitino with the Kentucky Wildcats

Rick Pitino joined the Kentucky Wildcats program in 1989 and was able to quickly make a difference to the team. After two seasons of post-season ineligibility due to sanctions caused by the previous coach, Pitino made the NCAA tournament in all the rest of his seasons there.

The highlight of his time at Kentucky was in 1996, when he led the Wildcats to their sixth national championship win, defeating the Syracuse Orange in the final. Interestingly, Kentucky faced UMass in the final four, which was coached by former Wildcats head coach John Calipari.

Kentucky made the championship game a year later, but they could not retain their title. This would be his final game for the Kentucky Wildcats, as Rick Pitino left to coach the Boston Celtics.

He returned to college basketball a few years later with the Wildcats' rivals, the Louisville Cardinals.

The 71-year-old spoke on KSR today about the Wildcats fans' reaction to his time with the program, and when he headed to their rivals.

"The Kentucky fans, to me, are very special. They treated me, my family, with great reverence. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about the Kentucky fan. I totally get it today why they were bitter at me for going to the University of Louisville... The reason I was going back was I loved Kentucky so much from my UK days and wanted to relive that love of the sport.”

Pitino also led Louisville to a national championship in 2013, but this championship win would be vacated years later due to a scandal.