Minnesota Gophers Close To Hiring Richard Pitino As Head Basketball Coach

The Minnesota Gophers basketball program are close to finializing a deal with Florida International coach Richard Pitino, multiple sources told ESPN.com. The two sides met in Fort Myers, Fla. to discuss Pitino filling the vacancy left after Tubby Smith's firing, according to another source.

A source with knowledge of the situation said Pitino and Minnesota were working on a contract. Arizona State assistant coach Eric Musselman was scheduled to interview for the job, but was told Tuesday not to fly to Fort Myers because the Gophers had their coach.

Richard Pitino is the son of Louisville head coach and NCAA coaching legend Rick Pitino. The younger Pitino was in Indianapolis on Sunday with his father's team as the Cardinals advanced past Duke in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament in light of Kevin Ware's gruesome injury.

Pitino and his father spent Monday with the injured guard while in an Indianpolis hospital before being released. He previously served as an assistant at Louisville, as well as Florida and Providence before replacing Isiah Thomas at FIU.