who does rick pitino coach
Rick Pitino is the head men’s basketball coach at St. John’s University (St. John’s Red Storm) in the Big East Conference as of the 2025–26 season.
Quick Scoop: Who Does Rick Pitino Coach?
Rick Pitino currently coaches the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team, a Big East program based in New York City. He took over at St. John’s with the idea that it could be the final major stop of his Hall of Fame college career.
In early 2026, reports note that St. John’s is working on a restructured deal intended to keep him there through the end of his coaching career. That push reflects how central he has become to the school’s basketball identity again, similar to his impact at previous programs.
Recent Status and “Latest News”
- St. John’s is competing in the Big East and ranked in the national polls (around the low 20s in the AP at one point in 2026).
- The school has reportedly offered Pitino a new contract that would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the conference, second only to UConn’s Dan Hurley.
- Local and national coverage frame this as St. John’s trying to “lock him in” so he finishes his career there.
This shows that not only does Rick Pitino coach St. John’s, but the program is clearly trying to build a long-term, end-of-career partnership with him.
Brief Career Context (Why This Is a Big Deal)
Rick Pitino is widely viewed as one of the most accomplished college coaches of his era, with Final Four runs and national titles across multiple schools (though the 2013 Louisville title was later vacated). He has taken several different programs deep into March, which is part of why St. John’s is so determined to keep him.
A recent feature noted that Pitino still has the chance to chase another Final Four and potentially a third national championship, which would further cement his legacy among active coaches. That possibility is directly tied to his current role at St. John’s.
Mini FAQ
- Who does Rick Pitino coach right now?
Rick Pitino coaches the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team.
- What conference is that in?
St. John’s plays in the Big East Conference.
- Is he expected to leave soon?
Recent reporting says St. John’s wants to restructure his deal so he can finish his career there, and Pitino has acknowledged the offer but not yet finalized it.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.