Richard Pitino Is Very Much His Legendary Father's Son (Videos)

After a fairly exhaustive coaching search, Richard Pitino was hired as the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball team. Pitino, who is taking over for the recently fired Tubby Smith, is the 30-year-old son of legendary Louisville coach Rick Pitino. The famous father won an NCAA championship at Kentucky, while taking three different programs to a Final Four (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville). Pitino's Cardinals enter this weekend's Final Four as the favorites to take home the 2013 NCAA title.

Richard Pitino initially made his name as an assistant coach at Louisville (under his dad), before serving in the same position under Billy Donovan at Florida. Richard then went back to Louisville, as the associate head coach, before taking the head coaching position at Florida International. In his one season at FIU, Pitino led the Miami based program to an 18-14 record, the school's first winning campaign in 13 years.

Friday morning, iFolloSports.com was on hand as Richard Pitino was introduced to the media at the home of the Gophers, Minneapolis' Williams Arena. The below clip shows Richard expressing how proud and fortunate he is to be Rick Pitino's son.

“He's a legend in this game, he's changed the game in many many ways, he's had people who've worked under him who have changed the game,” explained Richard.

During the clip, Richard also references adapting his own coaching style, after working under such legendary coaches.

The second clip shows Richard sarcastically uttering “game on,” when answering a question about potentially competing against his dad for recruits.

Richard later added, “If I'm not going against him (Rick), I sure hope he's helping us as much as possible.”

It is amazing to consider how much Richard and Rick look and sound alike. The 30-year-old son and 60-year-old father employ very similar mannerisms, while talking with a nearly identical accent and cadence. Richard really seems to be a chip off the old block. Gopher fans can only hope that the younger generation Pitino can produce a career somewhere in the neighborhood of his all-time great papa.