Recruiting them is on him. How they play as professionals is on the players. If they aren't playing as required to win, cut their NIL's. If they still don't improve, fire them, cut them loose and recruit new players.
I'm sick and tired of coddling of these professional players. If they don't like it, don't accept NIL's and play for the sport. Pitino has to take responsibility for poor recruiting. But the players are getting paid to do their jobs. In corporate America, if you don't do your job and it's a habit, you get fired. That's what college sports is now.