This was Pitino 's first season as Louisville 's head coach . Pitino replaced Denny Crum at the end of the 2000-01 season and he made his coaching debut for the Cardinals on October 31 , 2001 in an exhibition match against EA Sports with an 81-63 victory . During the September 11 attacks , Pitino lost Bill Minardi , his brother-in-law , who was working on the 105th floor of the North Tower for Cantor Fitzgerald on the morning of the attacks
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
2001–02 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team