St. John’s coach Rick Pitino led the Red Storm to a thrilling 88-83 comeback win over the Xavier Musketeers on Saturday to improve to 15-5 for the season. The victory represented a huge milestone for Pitino, marking his 900th win in his storied college basketball coaching career.
To make it even more special for the St. John’s coach, it came against his son, Richard Pitino, who was appointed the Musketeers’ head coach last year.
Rick Pitino’s Notches Milestone Win Against Special Opponent
With the win, Pitino joined an exclusive list of only three other coaches to have notched 900+ wins in college basketball, including Mike Krzyzewski (1,202), Jim Boeheim (1,116), and Roy Williams (903).
The Red Storm rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to stun the Xavier fans at Cintas Center and clinch the milestone win for their legendary coach. Talented Red Storm guard Dylan Darling drained a go-ahead three with 53.2 seconds left on the clock, before a Ruben Prey layup sealed the comeback.
During his postgame news conference, Richard Pitino, who detests suits but wore one for the game, lavished praise on his father’s achievement.
“I’m happy for him that he got 900. I think he’s the best coach to ever coach college basketball. He’s a phenomenal coach, but I’m really lucky to have him as a father. I hope he continues to coach,” Richard Pitino said.
The NCAA only recognizes 777 of Pitino’s wins after voiding 123 wins due to infractions committed when he was the Louisville Cardinals coach. In the same vein, former Indiana coach Bob Knight is credited with 902 wins by the NCAA, despite finishing with 899 wins due to three previous losses being overturned due to the opponent’s rule violations.
Over a 38-year career, Pitino has accumulated a 900-316 record as a college basketball coach, and during his postgame news conference, he basked in notching win No. 900 over his son.
“Nine hundred [wins] means that I’ve had longevity,” Rick Pitino said. “I spent 10 years in the pros, and so 900 with 10 years in the pros is really something. I’m very thankful to all my players, to all my assistant coaches for helping me get there. My son, it doesn’t matter. The great thing is I could spend time with him and the grandkids.”
After leaving the New Mexico Lobos for Xavier last year, Richard and Rick have become direct Big East rivals. They will clash once again at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 9 as the race for the conference championship heats up.
