The changing landscape of college basketball has, at least in part, contributed to the exodus of several Hall of Fame coaches. Jay Wright, Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams and Tony Bennett all parted ways last week.
The advent of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal is thought to have led to them ceasing operations, with Bennett saying the sport was “not in a healthy situation” and was in need of “change”. said it was necessary.
“I think I had the ability to work here the old-fashioned way,” Bennett, 55, said.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino answers questions from reporters during Big East Media Day on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Robert Sabo, New York Post
Rick Pitino isn’t about to add to that disconcerting trend, pointing out one major contributing factor to it, even though he recently turned 72.
“If there’s something very exciting about retirement, that’s not a bad thing, but as someone who’s been coaching for as long as I have, I can’t live without teaching young players how to play the game. ” the St. John’s coach said. Wednesday at the Garden during Big East Media Day. “From my perspective, I took a year off and didn’t enjoy it.”
Pitino got a glimpse of life without a coach. Life without basketball.
After being fired as Louisville’s manager in October 2017, he spent a year primarily in Miami.
It was a good life. But that wasn’t how he wanted to live.
“It was so nostalgic,” the two-time U.S. champion said. “I got a chance to realize what it would be like without it, and I didn’t really like it.”
Pitino joked that instead of making home visits when recruiting, he now goes right to the negotiating table.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino answers questions from reporters during Big East Media Day on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. Robert Sabo, New York Post
The new terrain seems to suit him and St. John’s.
That allowed him to put together a strong roster in his first season after taking over at Queen’s, and the Johnnies won 20 games and finished fifth in the Big East despite being eliminated from the NCAA Tournament. .
St. John’s is expected to not have to worry about the selection committee this offseason.
Pitino acquired two top guards in the transfer portal in Cadary Richmond (Seton Hall) and Davon Smith (Utah), while also acquiring a core of juniors in Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Lewis, as well as sophomores. were able to put together Simeon Wilcher and Brady Dunlap.
“I’m a big supporter of the NIL. We’ve been paid millions of dollars over the years and the players haven’t gotten anything and I think that’s completely unfair.” Pitino said. “We were able to move, and they were stuck. … When I first started coaching, when NIL wasn’t legal, there were a lot of programs that ran NIL. Now they all I like the fact that it’s now legal. They’re professional athletes who are treated like educated professional athletes. That’s the ball game.”
Zuby Ejiofor answers questions from reporters at Big East Media Day. Robert Szabo of the New York Post
Pitino maintains his health, which has allowed him to remain active at his current age. He wakes up before 6 a.m. to run on the treadmill, and Richmond always sees him on the elliptical before and after practice.
“He goes after it,” Richmond said with a smile.
Pitino still personally runs his famous skill development sessions in addition to practicing. It’s a workout that Richmond raved about for its attention to detail and consistent intensity.
Ejiofor said Pitino’s passion and love for coaching is evident in how hard he coaches his players and the amount of time he spends coaching them.
RJ Lewis Jr. passes Jordan Derkac during St. John’s 91-85 preseason win over Rutgers on Oct. 23, 2024. Wendell Cruz-Iman Image
That extends beyond the court as well. He meets with donors multiple times a week to raise money for NIL. It’s hard to believe that the legendary coach is 72 years old.
“In some ways, it’s taking me more time today because of the NIL, but if I can get through this and stay healthy, I think I’m going to continue coaching until the day I die,” Pitino said. “How many more years can I stay healthy?” That’s the name of the game. ”
“I think I’m better today than I’ve ever been in my coaching career because I don’t let the little things get me down,” he continued. “That’s a necessary evil in order to get by in coaching today. It’s not just me being out of shape because of the NIL, it’s making the retiring coach out of shape. That doesn’t bother me at all. go out and raise money.”
When asked how long he would be able to coach at St. John’s, Pitino said that in an ideal world, he would like to extend it at some point. He has five years left on his contract (including this year).
He’s excited about the new team and the additions St. John’s has made, from a new weight room to meeting and movie rooms to a fueling room for the team. A new state-of-the-art practice facility is under construction.
Of course, as he mentioned, health will be a factor in how long he stays on the sideline.
However, there is no doubt that the current situation in the game, which has seen top coaches forced out, will influence that decision. He’s not going anywhere.
