Report: Minnesota's Pitino overspent by $175K on private jets
The turmoil surrounding the Minnesota program continued Wednesday, as it was revealed head coach Richard Pitino exceeded his private jet travel budget by $175,000 in his first three years in charge.
Pitino is allotted a $50,000-per-year travel budget, but spent $100,000 in 2014, $150,000 in 2015, and $325,000 total in his three years, compared to his $150,000 budget, according to an internal university audit obtained by Joe Christensen and Amelia Rayno of the Minnesota Star Tribune. The audit also found the Golden Gophers coach already spent over $50,000 for the fiscal year 2016 by February.
The expenses happened under the watch of the now-departed athletic director Norwood Teague.
In addition to exceeding the private jet budget, the men's and women's programs also went over allotment in hotels, private cars, birthday or holiday parties, meals, and valet parking.
This news can be added to the list of troubling developments within the program during Pitino's time. Two players have been arrested, two dismissed for conduct issues, and thee others suspended last season after the release of a sex tape. Earlier this week, Richard Lynch was jailed for ''criminal sexual conduct.''
The latest news comes after the team struggled to an 8-23 record, one of the worst in program history.
With a $7.1-million buyout, it's unlikely Pitino is going anywhere, but with a new athletic director on the way, anything is possible.