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If this whole NBA head coach thing doesn’t work out for Brad Stevens, the Celtics coach can take solace in knowing he still has advocates in the college ranks. Rick Pitino is one. Pitino, who piled up a 102-146 record in three-plus seasons with the Celtics, received a smattering of boos Wednesday night when introduced pregame for his first game coaching back in Boston since 2000-01. And after he led his No. 10 Louisville Cardinals past Boston College 81-72, he was asked about the job Stevens is doing on Causeway Street so far. “Way before he came here, I said to my AD and staff, ‘When I retire, go after that guy,’ ” Pitino said. “He was at Butler at the time. I said, ‘Whatever it costs, get that guy.’ ” Tom Jurich probably appreciated the suggestion, but is no doubt happy with his current coach for now. The Louisville coach was nothing but complimentary of Stevens and Celtics president Danny Ainge. “It’s tough,” Pitino said. “When I took over, they won -- I don’t know -- 14, 15 games. And [Stevens has] taken over the same type of situation except he has a lot of patience and I had very little. “He’s gonna do a fabulous job because it’s not gonna get to him, the losing. He understands the journey. He understands it. He’s gonna do a great job. They play competitive, they’re gonna get better, and better, and better.” “They got themselves, I thought, one of the top three coaches at any level,” Pitino said. “I thought he was always tremendous.” Jack McCluskey is an editor for ESPN.com and a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter @jack_mccluskey.
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