Rick Pitino’s Son Makes Head-Turning Admission About Father’s Legendary Coaching Career

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan Massey | Last updated May 9, 2025 11:01 PM ET

Rick Pitino and the St. John's Red Storm put together an impressive all-around 2024-25 college basketball season. However, it did not end how they had hoped.

Throughout the course of the year, St. John's compiled a 31-5 record. In the NCAA Tournament, they earned a No. 2 seed and knocked off Omaha in the first round by a final score of 83-53.

After that win, a matchup with John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks awaited, which the Red Storm lost 75-66. That loss ended the St. John's season.

Despite the loss, Pitino has the Red Storm on the right track. He is one of the best head coaches of all-time and will give St. John's a chance to win at a high level as long as he's in town.

Recently, Richard Pitino, the son of the coaching legend, spoke out about his father. He opened up about the success that Pitino has had throughout his career and the coaching tree that he has created.

“He puts the effort into molding us,” Richard said. “Some coaches just hire assistant coaches and say, ‘Hey, get me players. You’re not a coach, you’re a recruiter.’ My dad is not that way. Anybody that works for my dad and his program, you are gonna be driven to succeed just as much as the best player. He’s gonna be invested in you as a future leader.”

Richard Pitino believes Rick Pitino has such a successful coaching tree because of the effort he puts into molding his assistants. pic.twitter.com/Zpkj29W9zt
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 9, 2025

Among coaches who have come from Pitino's coaching tree are Billy Donovan, Tubby Smith, Mick Cronin, and Kevin Keatts.

To this point in his career, Pitino has amassed a 761-308 record. That is good enough for a 71.2% win rate.

During the upcoming 2025-26 college basketball season, the two Pitino's will likely face each other. St. John's and Xavier are both in the Big East. Richard Pitino became the head coach of the Musketeers this offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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