Rick Pitino reportedly signs new deal with St. John’s through 2029-30 season

After St. John’s season ended in the Sweet 16 at the hands of Duke on Friday, the school is securing head coach Rick Pitino’s services for several more years.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Pitino signed a new deal that will keep him in Queens through the 2029-30 season. It also makes him the second-highest paid coach in the Big East, behind UConn’s Dan Hurley.

Pitino has turned the St. John’s basketball program around since taking over in 2023-2024 season. The 73-year-old is 80-25 overall and 47-13 in conference play at St. John’s and the team has won at least one game in the NCAA tournament in the last two seasons.

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After beating UConn in the Big East tournament championship, fifth-seeded St. John’s tournament run was highlighted by a Dylan Darling buzzer-beater to secure a 67-65 win over No. 4 Kansas in the second round to help the Red Storm advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

Before taking over St. Johns, Pitino help lead Iona to three winning seasons. He led the team a 64-22, 40-9 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and two NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT appearance.

In his return to college basketball, Pitino has been able to successfully adapt to the era of college sports that has emphasized NIL and the transfer portal. Pitino was able to bring in transfers such as Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell, Ian Jackson and Daniss Jenkins during his time at St. John’s and Iona.

Before Pitino coached at St. John’s and Iona, he was the head coach of Louisville, Kentucky, Providence, Boston University and the University of Hawaii. He also coached the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Panathinaikos B.C. in Greece and spent many years as an assistant coach.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/rick-pitino-reportedly-signs-new-deal-with-st-johns-through-2029-30-season-223554863.html

Author : Tarohn Finley

Publish date : 2026-03-29 22:35:00

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