The St. John’s University Red Storm has ushered in a thrilling new chapter in its storied basketball history with the appointment of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino as their new head coach. This monumental decision brings one of college basketball’s most decorated and dynamic figures to Queens, signaling a bold commitment to restoring the program to national prominence. Pitino, a two-time NCAA champion and the only coach to lead three different schools to the Final Four, officially becomes the 22nd head coach to helm the St. John’s men’s basketball team.
Rick Pitino officially announced as the new head coach for St. John’s Red Storm basketball, bringing his Hall of Fame pedigree to the program.
In a move that has sent ripples of excitement throughout the college basketball landscape, the announcement was made on March 20, 2023, with a formal introduction scheduled for Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. The Chase Square at MSG will be the stage for Pitino’s unveiling at a 12 p.m. press conference, an event eagerly anticipated by fans who can also tune in live via RedStormSports.com.
Across his remarkable 35-year collegiate head coaching career, Rick Pitino has cultivated a reputation that transcends mere wins and losses. His legacy is built on a foundation of on-court brilliance coupled with a deep-seated commitment to the academic success of his student-athletes. Boasting an impressive 834-293 career record, Pitino’s journey to St. John’s is paved with 23 NCAA Tournament appearances spanning five institutions and an elite seven Final Four berths – a feat matched by only a handful of coaches in the annals of the game.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Rick Pitino, along with his family, into the St. John’s family,” declared Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University. “We are incredibly enthusiastic about having a seasoned coaching legend – someone who has achieved victory at the highest levels and possesses an undiminished passion for the game – to guide our student-athletes and propel our program to national prominence. Rick’s profound understanding of BIG EAST basketball, coupled with his unwavering resolve, makes him the ideal leader to elevate the Red Storm program back to its rightful place among the nation’s elite.”
For Pitino, the opportunity to lead St. John’s is imbued with a sense of history and personal connection. “One of my cherished coaching memories is the distinct honor of competing against Lou Carnesecca and St John’s,” Pitino remarked. “Coach Carnesecca is a Hall of Fame icon, leading a program with such rich history, and it’s something I’ve always deeply respected. The chance to now guide St John’s back to prominence feels almost dreamlike. I am deeply honored, humbled, and thankful to Fr. Shanley, Bill Janetschek, and Mike Cragg for extending such a warm welcome and making me feel so valued.”
Rick Pitino stands alone as the first coach to steer three different universities to the coveted Final Four and uniquely, the first to claim NCAA Championships with two separate institutions. His NCAA Tournament record is a testament to his postseason prowess, holding a 54-21 mark, which translates to a .720 winning percentage – the third-highest among all active coaches in tournament play. Beyond the court, Pitino’s philanthropic endeavors often go unnoticed, as he quietly supports numerous worthy causes.
Before his recent tenure at Iona University, where he led the Gaels to three consecutive postseason appearances and two NCAA Tournament berths, Pitino’s coaching journey included significant stints at the University of Louisville (2001-2017, highlighted by the 2013 NCAA Championship victory), University of Kentucky (1989-1997, including the 1996 NCAA Championship), Providence College (1985-1987), Boston University (1978-1983), and a brief period at Hawai’i (final six games of 1975-76 season).
St. John’s Director of Athletics Mike Cragg expressed immense enthusiasm, stating, “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Hall of Fame coach and New York native Rick Pitino will be at the helm of our men’s basketball program as we embark on the next chapter of its distinguished history. Coach Pitino’s basketball acumen is unparalleled, and his track record of success at the highest levels of the sport speaks volumes. We are confident that he will revitalize St. John’s Basketball, fostering a championship-caliber program and culture.”
Pitino’s teams have accumulated 14 tournament championships, and his conference tournament record is an astounding 55-16 (.774). During his time at Kentucky, his teams dominated the Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament with a 17-1 record. His tenure at Louisville saw him secure three BIG EAST Tournament titles in 2009, 2012, and 2013. Moreover, Pitino has mentored 29 players who have transitioned to the NBA. Notably, his 1996 NCAA Championship-winning Kentucky team boasted seven future NBA players.
The pinnacle of individual recognition came in 2013 when Rick Pitino was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his place among the legends of the sport.
In his three seasons at Iona University, Pitino revitalized the Gaels program, achieving a 64-22 overall record and a dominant 40-9 conference record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). A two-time MAAC Coach of the Year, he led Iona to two MAAC regular-season titles and two tournament championships, resulting in NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2023, as well as an NIT berth in 2022.
Prior to Iona, Pitino spent 16 seasons transforming the Louisville Cardinals into a national powerhouse, compiling a 416-143 record from 2001-2017. Under his guidance, Louisville made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, reached the Sweet 16 seven times, the Elite Eight six times, and the Final Four three times, culminating in the 2013 National Championship. The 2012-13 championship season saw Louisville set a school record with 35 wins.
Before his Louisville tenure, Pitino served as president and head coach of the NBA’s Boston Celtics for three and a half years. He also spent four years with the New York Knicks, initially as an assistant coach and later as head coach, leading the Knicks to a 52-win season and a playoff series sweep in 1988-89.
From 1989-97, Pitino’s impact was felt at the University of Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to three Final Four appearances in his final five seasons. Kentucky’s record under Pitino was an exceptional 219-50 (.814), highlighted by the 1996 NCAA Championship and a return to the national title game in 1997.
Pitino’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Hawai’i in 1974, followed by a full-time assistant position. He then spent two seasons as an assistant at Syracuse before securing his first head coaching job at Boston University in 1978. At BU, he achieved a 91-51 record and led the Terriers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 24 years in his final season.
Following his time with the Knicks, Pitino coached at Providence College for two seasons, achieving a 42-23 record and guiding the Friars to the Final Four in 1987.
Pitino also has international coaching experience, leading Puerto Rico’s national team and Panathinaikos B.C. in the EuroLeague.
A 1974 graduate of Massachusetts, where he was a basketball standout, Pitino’s New York roots run deep. Born in New York City and a high school team captain at St. Dominic High School on Long Island, his return to New York to coach St. John’s is a homecoming in many ways.
Rick and Joanne Pitino have five children and 14 grandchildren. The St. John’s community and basketball fans nationwide eagerly anticipate the Rick Pitino era and the resurgence he is expected to bring to the Red Storm.
