After taking up the head coaching position at St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team in 2023, Rick Pitino has been on a roll. He has turned the Red Storm into a New York-based powerhouse, winning back-to-back Big East Championship titles. Heading into a new season under his tutelage, the expectations are sky high for the team.
Insider John Fanta, during his conversation with Gary Parrish of CBS Sports, said that he believes in St. John’s chances of winning the national championship. He said:
“They have an embarrassment of riches. They have a coach, who I’d put up there with anybody in the nation. Even though he’s 72, he’s like a 41-year-old in a 72 year old’s body. And they have the makeup, the length, the athleticism…they have an SEC like roster.”
Fanta believes that the Red Storm roster is so strong that even if a couple of their players don’t perform up to expectations, they could still do well. He said that a core strength so deep makes them deserving of being championship contenders. He said:
“If one of these or two of these kids doesn’t work out, St. John’s isn’t screwed. That’s why you have them number one. Bryce Hopkins at his best was in the Big East Player of the Year mix. Zuby Ejiofor at his best could be in the Big East Player of the Year mix…I think they expect him to be All-American.”
Why does @John_Fanta believe in @StJohnsBBall ? Simply, their depth.
The first Summer Shootaround of 2025 with @GaryParrishCBS & Special guest John Fanta is now live.https://t.co/u43329EMk3 pic.twitter.com/cyrCMWNxT7
— Eye On College Basketball Podcast (@EyeOnCBBPodcast) July 28, 2025
The Red Storm’s last season’s record has proven that they are a very capable team. They finished 31-5 overall and were Big East regular-season & tournament champions with a No. 2 NCAA seed. Under Pitino, they are expected to go higher in the upcoming season. But there’s a cloud of doubt above his coaching tenure.
Jon Rothstein predicted Rick Pitino’s future at St. John’s
Despite all his achievements and the new energy that he has brought into the St. John’s program, the fact is that Rick Pitino is 72 years old. Many have speculated that he only has a few years left in the tank before he bids farewell to the game. As per Jon Rothstein, the end might be near.
While speaking on CBS Sports’ “Inside College Basketball Now” on July 21, Rothstein said:
“How much longer will Rick Pitino coach at St. John’s? Fans should take pictures now and enjoy this golden era, because it might not last… The Big East needs national mileage from Villanova and Georgetown.” (13:20)
At the end of the day, these are mere speculations about the legendary coach’s future. But it’s not entirely unfair to assume that Rick Pitino might be nearing the end of his coaching career.
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