Rick Pitino has always embodied the essence of New York basketball. Born in New York City 72 years ago, he has spent decades shaping the sport—from his early days as an assistant coach at Syracuse to his tenure as head coach of the New York Knicks in the late 1980s.
Now, he leads St. John’s, a program that has rediscovered its dominance under his leadership.
Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Resurgence
While the Red Storm’s season has been largely successful, Pitino hasn’t been entirely content with the journey. His team trailed at halftime in their latest matchup—a situation that frustrated him.
Still, despite the occasional setback, St. John’s continues to climb, making a strong case for Pitino’s place among the greatest coaches in basketball history.
On Tuesday night, St. John’s secured a 70-64 victory over Marquette, improving its record to 20-3. The Red Storm, currently ranked No. 12 in the AP poll, achieved its highest ranking since 2000. The win not only solidified its place among college basketball’s elite but also highlighted Pitino’s ability to elevate a program in a short period.
Following the game, Pitino spoke with broadcaster Bill Raftery about the significance of the win. Raftery asked how Pitino manages his emotions when things aren’t going well on the court.
“Inside, I want to kill myself,” Pitino said. “Outside, I say, ‘That’s OK, we’ll make the next one.'”
Pitino’s intensity and relentless pursuit of perfection have defined his career. He has taken multiple programs to the NCAA Tournament, and his latest work with St. John’s only adds to his legacy.
“If I had Rick Pitino’s money, I’d be on a private plane for Cabo right now,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin recently joked about Pitino’s wealth.
Yet, rather than escaping to a tropical paradise, Pitino is fully locked in, guiding St. John’s toward a Big East title in just his second year at the helm.
While Jim Boeheim has transitioned to television; Mike Krzyzewski runs a podcast and Roy Williams enjoys North Carolina games from the stands, Pitino remains deeply entrenched in the competition. But Pitino?
He is still here, still coaching and still winning.
Tuesday’s victory over Marquette further strengthened his case as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. St. John’s, now ranked No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll, is the clear frontrunner in the Big East regular-season race.
The win against Marquette exemplified Pitino’s signature style: relentless energy, disciplined defense, and a commitment to outworking the opposition. Despite struggling from beyond the arc (3-for-16) and at the free-throw line (17-for-31), the Red Storm dominated the glass, securing 21 offensive rebounds, a testament to Pitino’s emphasis on hustle.
St. John’s decision to bring Pitino in two seasons ago has paid off. His first year saw the team narrowly miss an NCAA Tournament bid after three years of irrelevance under former coach Mike Anderson. Now, 11 months later, St. John’s is competing in top-15 matchups and eyeing a deep postseason run.
Pitino’s Quest for Another Title
The Red Storm’s game against Marquette carried immense significance. With first place in the Big East on the line after UConn’s recent victory, the matchup marked St. John’s first appearance in a top-15 showdown since Jan. 30, 1999. That level of historical importance was not lost on Pitino, who thrives on moments like these.
With every passing game, Pitino strengthens his case as one of college basketball’s all-time greats. His ability to adapt, motivate and consistently win separates him from most of his peers. As he continues to build St. John’s into a powerhouse, the question isn’t just whether he’s among the best—it’s whether he might be the greatest of all time.
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With the Big East title within reach and March Madness on the horizon, Pitino’s journey is far from over. If this season has proven anything, it’s that he still has plenty left to give to the game of basketball.
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