Louisville coach Pitino: ‘I will not resign’ over allegations

University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino vowed to Cardinal fans that he "will not resign and let you down" as investigations continue into an escort's book allegations that one of his former staffers hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with recruits and players.

In a season preview Thursday on his website, the Hall of Fame coach apologized to fans for having to "endure the pain" of allegations by Katina Powell that Andre McGee paid strippers to perform 22 shows from 2010-14 at the players' dormitory.

Pitino, 63, has denied knowledge of the activities described in Powell's book and said Thursday, "someday I will walk away in celebration of many memorable years, but that time is not now. I do not fight these accusations by others but rather turn the other cheek."

Pitino's latest comments come two days after Powell broke her silence after the release earlier this month of "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen." Powell's book was published by IBJ Book Publishing LLC, a sister company of Indianapolis Business Journal. Investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Dick Cady co-authored the book.

Powell told ESPN's "Outside The Lines" program that she had no proof that Pitino knew McGee paid her $10,000 to arrange the shows that took place in the players' Billy Minardi Hill dorm.

But Powell said in the interview that Pitino had to be aware of the shows and added that with "a boatload" of recruits and dancers, "loud music, alcohol, security, cameras" in a campus dorm, "how could Rick not know?"

Investigations by the athletic department and the Indianapolis-based NCAA were launched immediately after the school was notified about the book's allegations in late August. Campus police announced on Oct. 6 that it was working with Louisville Metro Police and the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to review the allegations for possible criminal charges.

The University of Louisville Foundation hired a law firm two days later to review the allegations.

Powell told IBJ on Oct. 15 that she had not talked to the NCAA or the university.

McGee left Louisville in 2014 to become an assistant at Missouri-Kansas City, which has placed him on paid administrative leave.

"Outside the Lines" reported Tuesday that five former Louisville basketball players and recruits said they attended the parties, which included strippers paid for McGee. One of the former players said he had sex with a dancer after McGee paid her.

"Outside the Lines" also said it confirmed a wire transfer of money from McGee to Powell on one occasion.

On Wednesday, Louisville President James Ramsey told the Courier-Journal  of Louisville that he had not talked to Pitino about the possibility of the coach resigning

Pitino has said throughout the scandal he understands Powell's motivation for the book but questioned the need for the activities she has alleged. In a recent radio interview and remarks at a preseason tipoff luncheon last week, he said the truth will come out and if the allegations are true, "those responsible will pay the price."

He said then he would remain as Cardinals coach and repeated that pledge even while saying he has turned the other cheek.

"Couldn't do it at 33, but at 63 it's the wise thing to do," Pitino said. "Let's let the investigators do their job and we will play basketball."