Rick Pitino Leads St. John’s Basketball to Historic NCAA Tournament Return

The Hall of Fame coach has revitalized the Red Storm, guiding them to a 30-4 season and their first Big East Tournament title in 25 years.

Rick Pitino has become the first coach in NCAA history to lead six different schools to the tournament, marking his 24th appearance with St. John’s as a No. 2 seed.
St. John’s achieved a 30-4 record this season under Pitino, a dramatic turnaround for a program that had struggled for decades.
The Red Storm claimed their first Big East Tournament championship since 2000, a milestone celebrated by fans and alumni, including billionaire supporter Mike Repole.
Pitino’s return to Providence for the NCAA Tournament is symbolic, as he previously led Providence College to a Final Four appearance in 1987.
The coach’s adaptability to modern challenges like NIL money and the transfer portal has been key to his success and his resurgence after past controversies.