UConn Huskies coach Dan Hurley and St. John’s Red Storm coach Rick Pitino have had each other’s number in recent years, as their squads have evenly matched up against one another. This can be attributed to the fact that Pitino took over the Red Storm program in 2023 and competes in the same conference as Hurley’s Huskies, the Big East Conference.
It is worth noting, though, that Pitino has a significant career age gap to Hurley, since the 73-year-old started his coaching career way back in 1974, over five decades ago. On the other hand, 53-year-old Hurley started his tenure in the late 90s, 1996 to be precise, after he realized that playing basketball was not for him. Before becoming a coach, Hurley played five years of collegiate hoops with the Seton Hall Pirates.
Having said this, Pitino’s coaching resume, which includes prior stints in the NBA, may be unjustly compared to Hurley’s since the former has spent more time as a coach. However, even with this, both coaches are tied at two national title wins apiece, meaning Hurley may have been more efficient with his time since he has the same number of NCAA championships as Pitino in significantly less time.
But where Pitino has an edge over Hurley is longevity. Not many have been able to achieve a college basketball coaching career as lengthy as Pitino’s. Hurley will have to prove his longevity as a coach first before he can be deemed better than Pitino, despite having the same number of NCAA titles as Pitino.
Dan Hurley Vs. Rick Pitino: Head-To-Head Record
As it currently stands, Dan Hurley leads the head-to-head record against Rick Pitino, 5-3. The two legendary tacticians first clashed in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament, wherein Hurley was already with the Huskies, and Pitino was still leading the Iona Gaels. Hurley and his UConn team defeated them by 24 points, 87-63, en route to their national title.
In their most recent matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 26, on the Huskies’ home floor, the PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut, UConn dominated the Red Storm by a staggering 32 points, 72-40.
Their 2025-26 season series now stands at one win apiece, as St. John’s defeated the Huskies by nine points, 81-72, on neutral grounds, the New York Knicks’ home arena, Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, on Feb. 7.
Read More: Dan Hurley Provides Update on Alex Karaban and Braylon Mullins Injury Ahead of Villanova Matchup
Also Read: 2026 Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List: Dan Hurley, Bill Self and More
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