Richard Pitino, born on September 16, 1982, is an American college basketball coach currently serving as the head coach of the Xavier Musketeers men’s basketball team. He is the son of Rick Pitino, a renowned figure in college basketball coaching.
Richard Pitino’s coaching career includes notable tenures at several institutions:
- Florida International University (FIU): Pitino began his head coaching career at FIU during the 2012-2013 season.
- University of Minnesota (2013–2021): Over eight seasons with the Golden Gophers, Pitino led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and secured an NIT Championship. He was honored as the 2017 Big Ten Coach of the Year by both coaches and media, as well as by the Associated Press.
- University of New Mexico (2021–2025): In his four-year tenure with the Lobos, Pitino achieved back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and clinched two Mountain West Conference titles. The team posted a 27-8 record in the 2024-2025 season, with a notable victory over Marquette before falling to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament.
Following Sean Miller’s departure from Xavier University, Pitino was appointed as the head coach of the Musketeers. This move positions him in the Big East Conference alongside his father, Rick Pitino, who coaches St. John’s University.