Rick Pitino Apologizes For Prostitution Scandal But Says I'm Innocent

Louisville head basketball coach Rick Pitino says he and the university APOLOGIZE for the prostitution scandal that rocked the program ... but insists he did NOTHING wrong.

Pitino just spoke with the media to address NCAA charges that he failed to properly monitor his program ... while basketball staffer Andre McGee was allegedly paying for U of L players and recruits to bang prostitutes.

The Hall of Fame coach insists he complied with the investigation and believes the NCAA was fair -- but said, "Do I agree with the failure to monitor one of my people? No. Absolutely not, because I over-monitor my staff."

Pitino says he and the university apologize for the "mistakes" made by McGee.