New St. John's NCAA college basketball head coach Rick Pitino holds up a jersey after being introduced during a news conference at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

Rick Pitino Hired As St. John’s Next Head Coach

Rachel Rosen March 22, 2023 Basketball, College Basketball, Uncategorized 1,518 Views

Rick Pitino, 70, is headed back to New York after agreeing to a 6-year contract to be St. John’s next head men’s basketball coach.

Pitino’s Hall-of-Fame Resume

Pitino has played integral roles as the head coach of several organizations throughout his career.

His coaching journey trails back to 1974, where he first served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Hawaii. He then served as Hawaii’s interim head coach for the last six games of the 1975-76 season. This was his first head coach position.

From there, Pitino would become one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history.

Kentucky coach Rick Pitino, center, speaks to the crowd as members of his team jubilate while holding aloft the national college basketball championship trophy after beating Syracuse 67-76 for the NCAA title Monday, April 1, 1996, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

 

Pitino has spent time in both the collegiate level and the NBA, with history as the head coach for Hawaii (1976), Boston (1978-83), Providence (1985-87), the New York Knicks (1987-89), Kentucky (1989-97), the Boston Celtics (1997-01), Louisville (2001-16), Panathinaikos (2018-20), Iona (2020-23) and now St. John’s.

He led Kentucky and Louisville to NCAA Championships in 1996 and 2013. However, Louisville’s 2013 title was vacated after serious program violations, and Pitino was fired in 2017 because of the scandals.

Additionally, Pitino led Kentucky, Louisville and Providence to final four appearances.

Pitino, a New York native, will spend the next phase of his historic career in Queens.

Rebuilding the St. John’s Brand

St. Johns started the 2022-23 season strong with an 8-0 record, but did not land a spot in the NCAA tournament after finishing the season at 18-15.

The last time St. Johns had a chance at the tournament was in 2019, where they lost the play-in. Prior to that, the team’s most recent appearance was in 2015, where they lost in the first round.

From left, St. John’s Athletic Director Michael Cragg, new NCAA college basketball head coach Rick Pitino, University President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, and Big East commissioner Val Ackerman pose after Pitino was introduced at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

 

He said he’s seeking all-around players who fit his system, and that players will have to compete and earn their spot.

“A lot of players probably won’t be back on this team.”

Rick Pitino speaks after being introduced as St. John’s new men’s NCAA college basketball head coach at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

 

Pitino also expressed his goal to rebuild the team around Joel Soriano.

“St. John’s is gonna be back. I guarantee that.”

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About Rachel Rosen

Rachel Rosen is a junior at the University of Florida pursuing a degree in Media Production, Management and Technology. As a camera operator for University of Florida sporting events, she has a passion for live sports production and broadcasting.

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