St. John’s basketball is roaring again, and the Red Storm faithful have Rick Pitino to thank. With a gritty 76-70 victory over Butler, St. John’s clinched a share of their first Big East regular-season title in 33 years, snapping a drought that stretched back to 1992. The win wasn’t just a triumph over a tough Bulldogs squad—it was a coronation of a program reborn under Pitino’s masterful guidance. After years of middling results, the Red Storm are back atop the conference, and their legendary coach is rewriting history once more.
For Pitino, this latest milestone is another jewel in an already glittering crown. He’s now the only coach in NCAA history to claim regular-season conference titles with five different Division I programs: Boston University (America East), Kentucky (SEC), Louisville (Big East/AAC), Iona (MAAC), and now St. John’s (Big East). That’s a feat of adaptability and excellence spanning nearly five decades, showcasing his ability to turn programs into winners no matter the landscape. At 71, Pitino’s fire still burns bright, and his impact on St. John’s—a program that hadn’t sniffed this level of success since the Lou Carnesecca era—has been nothing short of transformative.
And there’s more history on the horizon. When Selection Sunday rolls around, Pitino will etch his name deeper into the record books as the first coach to lead six different schools to the NCAA Tournament, adding St. John’s to a list that includes Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, Iona, and Boston University. It’s a testament to his enduring brilliance, a career that’s seen him evolve from a brash young coach to a grizzled maestro still outsmarting the game. At St. John’s, he’s taken a sleeping giant and awakened it, blending veteran savvy with a roster that’s bought into his relentless system.
Pitino’s Kentucky chapter offers a tantalizing glimpse of his peak powers—and what might have been. From 1989 to 1997, he turned a scandal-plagued Wildcats program into a juggernaut, winning the 1996 national title with a 34-2 squad dubbed “The Untouchables.” He also reached three Final Fours, captured five SEC regular-season titles, and posted a 219-50 record—an .814 winning percentage. His fast-paced, pressure-heavy style revolutionized college hoops, and Kentucky became a dynasty under his watch. Had he stayed, many believe he could’ve stacked multiple championships, perhaps rivaling John Wooden’s UCLA run. Instead, he left for the NBA’s Boston Celtics in 1997, chasing a pro challenge that didn’t pan out.
What if Pitino had never left Lexington? The Wildcats were poised for sustained dominance, with recruits flocking to his vision and a fanbase worshipping his every move. Another title or two wasn’t out of reach at least—his 1997 team, a year after the championship, fell just short in the title game overtime thriller against Arizona, and the 98 team won. Kentucky’s program might’ve avoided the uneven stretch that followed his departure, maintaining its perch atop the sport. Yet, Pitino’s wanderlust brought him elsewhere, and now, at St. John’s, he’s proving that his genius thrives in any era, with any team.
This Big East title is no fluke. St. John’s battled a rugged conference slate, and the Butler win showcased their grit—overcoming a late rally to seal the deal. Pitino’s fingerprints are all over this resurgence: a stifling defense, a knack for clutch moments, and a belief that’s lifted the Red Storm to heights unseen in over three decades. As March Madness looms, Pitino’s legend grows, and St. John’s faithful dream of a deep run. Absolute legend? That’s an understatement—he’s a living icon still sculpting his masterpiece.