The University of Maryland is "heavily pursuing" Rick Pitino to lead its basketball program, sources tell The Sports Junkies.
"We're not saying Rick is the guy [yet]," Junkies host Jason Bishop said. "We're just saying that Maryland really likes Pitino. He's their top dog."
"He's their number one choice," Eric Bickel added. "They're going hard after him right now and there are a couple donors that are leading the charge."
Pitino, 69, is currently in his second season coaching Iona (36-11), his first coaching stop since being fired from Louisville in 2017. Pitino spent 16 seasons at Louisville, coaching them to a 416-143 (.744) record and winning a national championship in 2013 (later vacated).
The two-time national championship coach also led Kentucky to a national title in 1996.
Pitino led Iona to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season, losing to Alabama in the first round.
The Sports Junkies expressed that Pitino, despite previously saying Iona will be his final coaching job, may jump at the chance to leave for a Power Five conference, where he'd have an easier road to the NCAA. Currently at Iona, Pitino has to win the MAAC conference tournament in order to earn a bid to the NCAA tourney.
Danny Manning has served as Maryland's interim coach since the school and Mark Turgeon mutually agreed to part ways in early December. The Terps are 9-12 under Manning.