Rick Pitino’s Unbelievable Journey to St. John's and March Madness Glory
Alright, let's talk about one of the most legendary figures in college basketball—Rick Pitino. This guy has been through it all. From coaching some of the biggest programs in the game to facing major scandals, and now, leading St. John’s back into the national spotlight. If you love basketball, you can’t ignore the incredible story of Pitino’s journey and his latest chapter in March Madness.
So, how did Pitino end up at St. John’s? It’s a wild ride. He’s widely regarded as one of the best to ever do it, winning national championships and making multiple Final Four appearances with Kentucky and Louisville. But here’s the thing—two of his Final Fours and his 2013 national title were vacated by the NCAA due to scandals. That led to him getting fired from Louisville in 2017, not because of his coaching ability, but due to an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption.
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At the time, it was revealed that a Louisville player, Brian Bowen, allegedly received $100,000 from Adidas to commit to the Cardinals. Pitino has always claimed he had no knowledge of it, but he ultimately accepted that, as the head coach, he had to take responsibility. And let’s not forget, Louisville had already been under fire a few years earlier when reports surfaced that a former staffer was arranging meetings with sex workers for players and recruits. With all of that controversy swirling, Louisville decided to part ways with Pitino before the 2017-18 season even started.
Most people thought that was the end of Pitino’s college coaching career. But he wasn’t done. He took his talents overseas to coach Panathinaikos in Greece and won championships there. Then, in 2020, he got another shot at college basketball with Iona. And guess what? He worked his magic, leading them to the NCAA Tournament twice in three seasons. That success helped rebuild his reputation, and before long, St. John’s came calling. Now, here he is, back in the big leagues, proving he still has what it takes.
And get this—Pitino’s story gets even more interesting with his family making history. His son, Richard Pitino, just led New Mexico to a huge upset over Marquette, making them the first father-son duo to win NCAA Tournament games in the same year. Talk about keeping the legacy alive!
Now, as Pitino leads St. John’s into battle, he’s not just coaching for another tournament win—he’s showing the world that he can still compete at the highest level. Love him or hate him, Rick Pitino’s story is far from over. And with March Madness in full swing, you better believe he’s ready to make some more history.
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