Pitino To Be Introduced As St. John's Next Coach
After talks of Rick Pitino reaching a deal that would make him the next coach of St. John's University intensified this weekend, it all came to fruition on Monday.
A native New Yorker who was the head coach of the Knicks from 1987-1989, Pitino agreed to a six-year deal allegedly worth in the vicinity of $20 million, according to sources.
As an iconic figure in the coaching world, the 70-year-old Pitino will look to end his illustrious career in storybook fashion in his hometown. Pitino was fired with "just cause" at Louisville in the fall of 2017, following his involvement in a pay for play scandal which triggered a federal investigation.
Pitino then resurrected his career as the head coach of Panathinaikos of in Athens, Greece.
After three successful seasons at Iona College in nearby New Rochelle, where he went 52-16 in his final two seasons and was first place in the MAAC in consecutive seasons, Pitino is back in the high major ranks. Having coached Providence and also Louisville during its previous time in the then-loaded conference, Pitino is also back in the Big East.
"I am delighted to welcome Rick Pitino and his family to the St. John's family," said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., St. John's University President in Monday's press release.
"I am excited that this seasoned coaching veteran—who has won at the highest levels and is as passionate as ever— is committed to leading our student-athletes and our program to national prominence. Rick knows BIG EAST basketball and is determined to take and keep the Red Storm program where we know it belongs."
St. John's got off to a promising start this season but faltered in Big East play, looking listless and disengaged during the season's final stretch. The Red Storm were 18-15 overall, albeit they mustered a meager 7-13 in conference play and finished eighth overall.
Recently fired coach Mike Anderson received scrutiny for disciplinary issues with several players, which ultimately created a sideshow.
Pitino is expected to take a good percentage of his staff from Iona with him to SJU. That means former Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello, who has close ties to the city's rich recruiting resources. Former UConn point guard Taliek Brown, who also an assistant at Iona, is also likely to make the trek from Westchester County to Jamaica, Queens.
Pitino is slated to be formally introduced as St. John's head coach Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, at a noon news conference.
Several questions surrounding a St. John's roster shake-up remain. Whether or not Brandon Gardner, Christ The King's high flying 6-foot-7 forward who was committed to the program under Anderson will remain committed is yet to be seen.
Stepinac HS product Joel Soriano, who had a career year in averaging 15.2 PPG and 11.9 RPG, has one year of eligibility remaining due to Covid.
While Soriano recently said he won't return unless Anderson is coaching him, the hiring of a Hall of Fame coach could potentially allow the 6-foot-11 big to re-evaluate everything.