Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino, who was fired by Louisville in October with the program under investigation in a federal corruption probe, denied he is interested in the Siena men’s basketball coaching vacancy, despite a friend of his indicating that he is.

Pitino wants to discuss the opening with Siena officials, said Loudonville thoroughbred owner Roddy Valente, a longtime friend who is a partner with Pitino in the Kentucky Oaks contender Coach Rocks.

“He basically said given the opportunity, he would love to sit down and explore coaching at Siena,’’ Valente said this morning.

Valente said Pitino wants to coach again, regardless of the level.

“He loves to coach,’’ Valente added. “He said Siena would be a good fit. He loves the area. He’s turned down two jobs because of where they were located. He loves the Capital Region.”

But Pitino, reached by a reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal, texted "nope" when asked if he was interested in being the Saints' next head coach.

Pitino has been a frequent visitor to Saratoga Race Course during the summer.

Siena is searching to replace Jimmy Patsos, who resigned Friday after five seasons following a school investigation into allegations that he verbally abused a team manager and shoved a player. The school also examined reports that per diem money was improperly withheld from team members.

The Saints went 8-24 this season, tying the most losses in program history.

Pitino, 65, has a record of 770-271 over 32 college seasons. He won national championships at Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013. He also coached the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks in the NBA.

Louisville was stripped of the 2013 title and 123 wins from 2012 to 2015 after an NCAA investigation found a member of the coaching staff had provided prostitutes and strippers to players and recruits.

Those sanctions weren't connected to an FBI investigation last fall into a pay-for-play scheme.

Pitino has maintained his innocence.

"I've never offered any player $5," Pitino told ESPN in March.

“He would want Siena very comfortable,’’ Valente said. “He would want them to speak to his attorneys.”

Siena athletic director John D'Argenio didn't return a call seeking comment.

Pitino has hired agent Jordan Bazant, who also represents Patsos.

Valente said Pitino would be an ideal fit for Siena.

"I think he'd be great,' he said. "He is probably the best unemployed coach in America. To have a man of his caliber come to Siena after they've been sputtering, it'd be the best fit in the world. He's a great teacher. I know he's getting a bad rap for a lot of things, but he is a gentleman. He is a tremendous teacher."

Many are sure to question the possibly candidacy of Pitino after Siena went through a controversial parting with Patsos. But there's little doubt Pitino would sell tickets.

Siena averaged a home attendance of 5,968 per game this season, its second straight year under 6,000 at TU Center.

Le Moyne head coach Patrick Beilein and Syracuse assistant coach Gerry McNamara have already been widely reported as candidates at Siena.

msingelais@timesunion.com ■ 518-454-5509 ■ @MarkSingelais