Richard Pitino has spent years carving out his own identity in the coaching world, but his latest career move has set the stage for one of the most intriguing storylines in college basketball. The 42-year-old son of St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino has already built an impressive résumé—leading New Mexico to a 27-8 record, securing a Mountain West regular-season title, and guiding the Lobos to an NCAA Tournament win over Marquette before falling to Michigan State. With that kind of track record, it was no surprise when Villanova came calling for his services.
But here’s where things took an unexpected turn. Pitino was on the verge of signing with Villanova. The deal was essentially in place, and it seemed like a perfect fit. Yet, one crucial detail kept him from putting pen to paper that even fans are now buzzing about!
Well, its a last-minute offer from Xavier that changed everything. Desperate to stabilize its program after head coach Sean Miller’s sudden departure to Texas, Xavier wasn’t going to let Pitino slip away without a fight. They countered with a significantly better monetary deal, and just like that, the landscape of the Big East shifted.
Pitino took the offer.
MORE: I’m told that Pitino had been on calls with both camps today, and while he had originally agreed to sign with Villanova, he did not sign a formal contract.
Xavier later counter-offered Pitino a significantly better monetary deal, with the knowledge that Chris Mack would… https://t.co/Joarwm8Zdc
— Rob Reinhart (@RealRobReinhart) March 26, 2025
Now, he steps into a high-pressure situation, inheriting a program that had been thrown into chaos just days earlier. But this isn’t just about Xavier getting their guy. This is about the Big East getting one of the most fascinating rivalries college basketball has seen in years.
With Richard Pitino taking over at Xavier and his father, Rick Pitino, leading St. John’s, we now have a father-son showdown built into the conference schedule. Every time Xavier and St. John’s square off, it’s not just another game—it’s a battle for bragging rights within the Pitino household. Fans wasted no time reacting to the drama.
“I’m just glad it’s not Chris Mack. Go and beat Daddy, Little Rick!” one user wrote on X, summing up the buzz around this unexpected twist.
The post Everyone Is in Consensus About Rick Pitino’s Newest Big East Rival appeared first on EssentiallySports.
