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2025 Naismith Men's College Basketball Coach Of The Year Announced

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 12:56 PM ET

Final Four weekend is also a time for the major men's basketball national awards to be announced.

On Sunday, the Naismith Coach of the Year Award was presented to St. John's Rick Pitino. Believe it or not, as lengthy as Pitino's coaching resume is, this is the first time he's won the honor. The 72-year-old leader beat out three coaches who made the Final Four--Auburn's Bruce Pearl, Houston's Kelvin Sampson and Duke's Jon Scheyer--to win the award.

“It’s very prestigious, and I’m deeply honored," Pitino said during his acceptance speech, via the New York Daily News.

Pitino, who was also named co-recipient of the AP Coach of the Year and won Henry Iba Award, which is given to the country's top coach by the USBWA, has led a eye-opening resurgence in his two seasons at St. John's.

After going 20-13 in his first year with the program, Pitino led the Red Storm to a 31-5 mark this season, which included the first outright Big East regular-season championship since 1985 and first Big East Tournament title since 2000.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John's Red Storm looks on during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on January 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

St. John's earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, beating 15th-seeded Omaha in the first round before being upset by No. 10 seed Arkansas in the Round of 32.

Pitino was named Big East Coach of the Year, while star forward R.J. Luis won the conference's Player of the Year honor and big man Zuby Ejiofor was named its Most Improved Player.

As good as this year was, the future llready, St. John's has landed high-profile transfers Bryce Hopkins from Providence and Joson Sanon from Arizona State for next season.

“We’re all very motivated to go further [in the NCAA Tournament,” Pitino said this weekend.

“We’re all very motivated to improve the roster, very motivated to make Zuby’s final year something special.”

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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