NEW YORK — Situated amidst a sea of cheering fans in the heart of Madison Square Garden, Rick Pitino stood, his suit adorned with celebratory confetti. A journalist inquired about his storied career and his triumphant return as the Big East champion.
“I saved the best for last,” declared the 72-year-old Hall of Fame coach, igniting a wave of applause and cheers from the St. John’s faithful surrounding him. In that moment, it was almost a distant memory that just five years prior, Pitino found himself coaching in Greece, having been ousted from the U.S. college basketball scene due to several controversies at Louisville.
Even as recently as two years ago, Pitino was coaching Iona, a mid-major team not typically in the national spotlight. Fast forward to today, and he is back in New York City, celebrating a comeback that saw him and his revitalized team earn a spot on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” just days before this moment. It was indeed a dramatic turn of events, showing his resilience and tenacity.
“I truly believe adversity is just temporary, something you can bounce back from,” Pitino articulated. “With over 50 years of coaching experience, I’ve seen both highs and lows. What matters is how you handle those challenging times and how you build on the successes.”
In New York, and indeed across college basketball this winter, there hasn’t been a more compelling success story than Pitino and the fifth-ranked Red Storm. After claiming their first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years and winning the conference tournament for the first time in 25 years, St. John’s, sporting an impressive 30-4 record, has returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
This achievement marks Pitino as the only coach to lead six different schools to the NCAA Tournament, with previous ventures at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, and Iona.
“Consistency in work ethic and passion is key. That remains unchanged, though play styles evolve,” Pitino mentioned, reflecting on his ongoing coaching journey at St. John’s. “People ask me how long I’ll continue coaching, and I say, as long as I keep learning. The day I stop wanting to learn is the day I’ll retire.”
The second-seeded Red Storm is set to face No. 15 seed Omaha this Thursday in Providence, Rhode Island, riding the momentum of a nine-game win streak that extends to 19 out of their last 20 games since the year’s start. A win would lead to a thrilling second-round match-up with either seventh-seeded Kansas or tenth-seeded Arkansas, both teams led by fellow Hall of Fame coaches—Bill Self and John Calipari, respectively.
Pitino’s career boasts 24 NCAA Tournament appearances over his 37 seasons. Ranking fifth in Division I history with 884 wins, he stands as the active coach with the most victories and has reached the Final Four seven times with three different programs. Victories at Kentucky in 1996 and Louisville in 2013 distinguished him as the only coach to win national championships at two schools. However, the title at Louisville was vacated due to NCAA violations, and an investigation into recruitment practices resulted in Pitino’s dismissal from the university in 2017. Nonetheless, a November 2022 NCAA enforcement ruling cleared Pitino of any wrongdoing in the case.
During his tenure at Louisville, Pitino was embroiled in personal controversies due to a criminal extortion case, underscoring his struggles. Reflecting on these moments, he expressed, “Humility has become a core element in my life, and it wasn’t always like that. I don’t seek redemption; humility is my guide.”
Forced to rebuild his career, Pitino moved to Europe, coaching Panathinaikos B.C. in the EuroLeague from 2018 to 2020, which led him back to New York, coaching at Iona, and eventually to St. John’s. At St. John’s, he revitalized the program, drawing on his knack for fast turnarounds.
“We’ve aimed to excel every single day, treating each as if it might be the last day of coaching and pushing to make the program better,” Pitino said. “The culture and fan engagement have transformed. They only needed a nudge into the present. We’ve adopted techniques from my time at Kentucky and Louisville, focusing on modern marketing and social media to elevate the program.”
St. John’s tactical prowess in defense and the standout abilities of players like Zuby Ejiofor, Kadary Richmond, and RJ Luis Jr. have powered the team to a remarkable 30-win season, matching school history, and marked their dominance in the Big East. Their tight-knit losses, all away from home, reflected an incredible resilience.
Coach Greg McDermott of Creighton lauded them, saying, “They’ve had a fantastic year, dominating our league. Over time, they just wear you down.” Pitino’s strategic brilliance earned him the Big East Coach of the Year honor, also gaining popularity through deliverance of motivational speeches captured on screen.
“We grasp the intensity and dedication he brings daily,” Ejiofor stated. “Beyond the court, he dedicates himself to guiding each of us, fostering both our basketball abilities and personal growth.”
Living in Westchester but spending considerable time in Manhattan lately, Pitino is embracing the renewed excitement for St. John’s basketball in the city—a city he deeply connects with as a former Knicks and Celtics coach. The night St. John’s clinched the Big East Tournament, the Empire State Building gleamed in red and white, a tribute to their victory.
“I’m not as much surprised as I am thankful,” Pitino reflected. “The players, coaches, and fans have all renewed my thankfulness. It’s this amalgamation of effort and gratitude that fuels expectations of daily victories.”