Report: UCLA boosters pushing for Pitino as next head coach

Influential boosters are pushing for Rick Pitino to become the next head coach of UCLA, sources told Forbes' Adam Zagoria.

The head-coaching job for the Bruins became available when the school fired Steve Alford on Monday after a 7-6 start to the season.

Assistant coach Murry Bartow is serving as his replacement for the remainder of the campaign.

Billionaire UCLA alum Casey Wasserman and UCLA law school graduate John Branca reportedly want the former Louisville and Kentucky bench boss to take over for the prestigious program.

"They're going after Pitino, that's their No. 1 choice," a source said.

"Casey Wasserman is the most powerful person at UCLA," the source added. "He runs everything."

Pitino recently accepted a role as head coach of Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos to help turn around their poor start to the season. He's 1-1 since joining the club in late December.