McCarty joins Pitino's staff at Louisville

As FOX 7 Sports first reported on Thursday night, Harrison High School and University of Kentucky alum Walter McCarty was introduced as Rick Pitinos new assistant coach at Louisville on Friday. McCarty confirmed the hiring to FOX 7 Sports on Thursday night via e-mail. The Cardinals held a joint press conference with McCarty and Pitino on Friday to make it official. The position became open when U of L assistant Marvin Menzies was named the new head coach at New Mexico State on Thursday night. McCarty and Pitino lead UK to the 1996 national championship. He spent most of his ten-year NBA career with the Boston Celtics. Pitino was Bostons head coach for four of those years. McCarty retired from the NBA before last season. He was pondering a possible return to the Pacers, until Pitino called him about the U of L opening. McCarty says his move has nothing to do with Kentucky basketball. He says he wants to help the Cardinals win and couldnt pass up the opportunity to join his old coach once again. "Being from Evansville, Im familiar with Louisville," McCarty said. "Every time I flew home (from Boston), I flew through Louisville. I know the area. Its nice to be close to home... close to people I love and who love me." "Hes played on the biggest stage, in both college and the NBA," Pitino said. "Its nice to have someone here to tell the guys what its all about first hand. Hes going to be a great role model."