Rick Pitino hires agent, announces desire to coach once again

Rick Pitino still has the itch to coach, even if no team currently wants him.

The Hall of Fame bench boss expressed his desire Friday to return to the court, collegiately or professionally, just five months after he was fired from his role at Louisville following a vote from the university's athletic board brought on by the now-notorious corruption scandal involving Adidas.

"The level doesn't matter to me," Pitino told Jeff Goodman of ESPN. "I just need it to be someone who believes in me."

Pitino also confirmed he has hired an agent, Jordan Bazant, and said he already has had an informal discussion with an unnamed NBA team about a potential opening. The 65-year-old clarified he has not spoken with any colleges as of yet, on any level.

Related: Federal indictment alleges Pitino's active involvement in bribery scandal

Despite his maintained optimism, Pitino still harbors resentment related to how his tenure at Louisville ended and was not shy about sharing some of those feelings Friday.

"Every night I go to bed, I'm bitter at the U.S. attorney's office and at the board of traitors at Louisville," Pitino said. "I'm not bitter at the school, but at the board of traitors."

"I've never offered any player $5," he added. "I've been assassinated by the Southern District of N.Y. without any wiretap or shred of evidence, and the University of Louisville. That being said, I love teaching basketball and am more passionate than ever."