Since then, Kentucky followers have been disgruntled with Pitino because he returned to coach the rival instead of taking another job in another city and state. Many feel betrayed because he now coaches at a rival school. Many probably wish Pitino was still at Kentucky as opposed to Louisville.
Despite Tubby Smith's success at Kentucky, many Kentucky followers feel that Smith hasn't measured up to the standards set by Pitino or simply don't enjoy Smith's style, which is centered around defense first and offense second.
When Pitino replaced Crum, he knew Louisville would embrace his return to the Bluegrass and give him the right amount of time to return the program back to national prominence. However, Pitino likely didn't expect the fallout from Blue and White loyalists.
Time has brought about a healing to the wound, but the process has been a slow one.
In the mind of some Kentucky fans, the very thought of Pitino coaching the Cardinals has worn off somewhat, but getting used to the scene hasn't changed the circumstances that have existed for the past six years.
Tobacco Road has Duke, North Carolina and North Carolina State in a triangle with very few miles to spare in between the three schools. All three programs are in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which makes the rivalry even more intense between the patch trio.
Although Kentucky has won three out of the last five meetings with Louisville, including the last two, some Kentucky fans still aren't satisfied.
As long as Pitino is coaching at Louisville, the rivalry between the two schools will always be intense because it's hard for two programs so close to have the same thing in common: Both have employed the same coach.
Only in Kentucky do such rivalries exist.
