Rick Pitino is a distinguished American basketball coach currently serving as the head men’s basketball coach at St. John’s University. He was appointed to this position on March 20, 2023.
In the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Pitino’s St. John’s team faced a 75-66 loss to Arkansas, ending their tournament run. A pivotal moment in the game was Pitino’s decision to bench star player RJ Luis Jr. in the final minutes due to his shooting struggles, a move that sparked discussion among fans and analysts.
Beyond his role at St. John’s, Pitino has had a prolific coaching career, including significant tenures at the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, where he achieved national championships. Notably, he is the first and only coach to win NCAA national championships at two different schools.
Recently, Pitino demonstrated his support for his family by attending a March Madness game in Cleveland to watch his son, Richard Pitino, coach the New Mexico Lobos against Michigan State. This father-son moment highlighted Pitino’s pride and dedication to his family’s basketball legacy.