Family going up against family is not something new when it comes to professional basketball. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has played over 16 NBA career games against his younger brother, Seth. Even the Antetokounmpo brothers (Giannis and Thanasis), and the Lopez brothers (Brook and Robin) have not let their personal bonds come in the way of a good basketball game. However, how will things be when it will be a father and a son putting their skills to the test on the playing court? Well, judging from the recent update regarding Richard Pitino, we might find out the answer soon!
ESPN recently reported that Richard Pitino is expected to be the new head coach for the Xavier Musketeers men’s basketball team. Xavier has signed Pitino barely 3 days after it was reported that the university’s previous basketball head coach, Sean Miller, left to join the Texas Longhorns. The decision has now brought Pitino’s 4-year-long journey as head coach of the New Mexico Lobos, during which he had led the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. New Mexico went 27-8 this season, but was eliminated by Michigan State in the second round of the NCAAs back on Sunday. Therefore, Pitino was able to exit after the team had concluded its March Madness run.
Breaking: Xavier is expected to hire New Mexico’s Richard Pitino as its next head coach, sources confirmed to @jeffborzello and @PeteThamel.
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— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2025
Richard Pitino almost missed out on the chance to join forces with Xavier. After all, he was earlier rumored to be instead joining the Villanova Wildcats. According to college basketball reporter Rob Reinhart, Pitino was considering both Villanova and Xavier’s over the last couple of days. Reports emerged that he had been on calls with both camps. The former New Mexico Lobos head coach had originally agreed to sign with Villanova. However, he had not signed a formal contract. This allowed Xavier to later counter-offer Pitino with a significantly better monetary deal. Pitino took the Xavier position after Chris Mack declined the same.
Upon first hearing the news, very few might comprehend the full extent of what has occurred with Richard Pitino’s signing. By joining the Musketeers, Pitino will go at least twice, every season, against his very own father! After all, college coaching legend Rick Pitino has been leading the St John’s Red Storm’s men’s basketball team since 2023. He has no intention of leaving anytime soon. Therefore, the fact that Father and son will be coaching against each other has already spread a wave of excitement amongst the NCAA community.
College basketball fans welcome a Rick Pitino-Richard Pitino coaching rivalry dominate the Big East: “Can’t wait”
One social media user highlighted his excitement regarding the recent news by writing, “Can’t wait for Pitino vs Pitino next season in the Big East!”
Can’t wait for Pitino vs Pitino next season in the Big East!
— Julio N. Rausseo (@JNReports) March 26, 2025
Richard Pitino will be joining his father in the Big East. However, the upcoming matchups between them will not mark their first clash as professional coaches. In fact, the two Pitinos have squared off four times before. During the recent 2024-25 season, St. John’s and New Mexico had a matchup at Madison Square Garden back in November. That time, it was the father who took the victory home. St John’s topped New Mexico with a 85-71 score. The scoreboard became 1/3 for Richard Pitino. He had lost the previous two games when Rick Pitino was at Louisville. However, Richard Pitino had earlier beaten his dad’s Iona team at The Pit. Now in the Big East, the younger Pitino will be coming back for some sweet, sweet revenge.
One individual wrote, “Another Pitino in the big east”.
Throughout his 2-decade-long coaching career, Richard Pitino had previously been associated with 8 different NCAA teams. He even served two separate stints as assistant coach at Louisville (2007-09, 2011-12) while his father was still head coach. However, by joining Xavier, Richard is coaching his first time in the Big East. He highlighted his excitement regarding the same by stating “Xavier is one of the great brands in all of college basketball. It has always been a dream of mine to coach in the BIG EAST. The Cintas Center is going to be rocking. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Syndication: The Commercial Appeal New Mexico s head coach Richard Pitino watches his team during the first round game between Clemson University and University of New Mexico in the 2024 NCAA, College League, USA Tournament at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, March 22, 2024. Memphis , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xChrisxDay/ThexCommercialxAppealx USATSI_22838590
One social media user wrote, “Can’t wait for Pitino vs Pitino next season in the Big East!”
Conference games in itself generate a huge wave of excitement. However, by adding a storyline of a father-son rivalry, things are only bound to get more interesting. During the St John’s-New Mexico game at Madison Square Garden last year, after the Red Storm were in control late, St. John’s students could be heard chanting, “Who’s your daddy?”. That was nothing but a preview of what to expect now in future games.
One individual wrote, “Wow. Pitino against Pitino here we come.” While decades worth of coaching experience cannot always prepare you to go up against your son, one can still make an effort. When once discussing what it is like to be on the opposite side of a basketball game, Rick Pitino stated, “During the game, you really don’t know each other is on the sidelines at that point. You’re so focused on stopping the opponent, stopping the players, that you don’t really pay attention to coaches.” Well, then they finally meet in the Big East, it might be harder to ignore each other on that level.
One social media user wrote, “dang did they hire the right patino?”
Sure, while Richard Pitino has over 21 years of coaching experience, Rick Pitino has been in the business since 1974. Then again, Richard was the available one.
Overall, the majority of the reactions highlighted an excitement for the upcoming father-son rivalry. Since Xavier got eliminated in the first round of March Madness, we won’t get to see the Pitinos go up against each other until the next college season. Till then, we all will patiently wait.
The post College Basketball World Drools Over Rick Pitino’s Son Announcement as Big East Prepares for Intense Family Rivalry appeared first on EssentiallySports.
