01/24/26 05:01:00
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01/24 16:59 CST Rick Pitino savors reaching 900 victories as a college head
coach in St. John's win over Xavier
Rick Pitino savors reaching 900 victories as a college head coach in St. John's
win over Xavier
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
CINCINNATI (AP) --- Rick Pitino has rarely considered number of victories when
it comes to milestones. For him, it has always been about championships.
The Hall of Fame coach though did admit becoming the fourth Division I men's
basketball coach to reach 900 victories was one to savor.
St. John's rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to defeat Xavier
88-83 on Saturday. The milestone victory came at the expense of his son,
Richard, who is in his first season coaching the Musketeers.
"My son it doesn't matter," said Pitino about the win coming against his son.
"The great thing is I could spend time with him and the grand kids."
The 73-year-old Pitino is 900-316 overall in 38 seasons as a head coach in
college. It began with six games as an interim at Hawaii in 1976.
He is the only coach to win an NCAA title at two schools (Kentucky and
Louisville) and the first to take three schools to the Final Four (Providence,
Kentucky and Louisville).
He's also the only coach to direct six schools to the NCAA Tournament,
including Boston University, Iona and St. John's.
Pitino also coached at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and
Iona. He also has 10 years in the pros, including with the New York Knicks and
Boston Celtics, along with Greek team Panathinaikos.
"But 900 means that I've had longevity. 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 and assistant coaches for helping me get there," he said.
One of those assistants was Richard, who was on his dad's staff for three
seasons at Louisville.
"I'm happy for him that he won 900. I think he's the best coach to ever coach
college basketball. He'd have a lot more if he had stayed at Kentucky," Richard
Pitino said. "When your dad is 73, you just want him to be happy and healthy.
We all are reminded way too much at how short life is.
"To see him doing great, being celebrated at St. John's, that's all I care
about. It keeps him young. I hope he continues to coach. He's a phenomenal
coach but I'm really, really lucky to have him as a father."
The younger Pitino surprised his father by wearing a suit on the sidelines for
the first time this season. Rick Pitino said it was a nice compliment and was
appreciative because he knows his 43-year old son hates wearing suits.
When asked where the suit came from, Rick Pitino smiled and said "It's probably
my suit."
It was the second straight game the Red Storm rallied from at least 15 down to
win. Tuesday's win against Seton Hall was at home though. Saturday's victory
came in front of a sold out and raucous crowd at Xavier.
"It was a lot of fun. Definitely just the atmosphere and coach going up against
his son. It was a tough win but a good win," said forward Dillon Mitchell, who
had 17 points and seven rebounds.
St. John's players donned T-shirts on the court and in the locker room marking
the milestone. They also doused Pitino with water and Gatorade in the visitors'
locker room at Cintas Center.
Pitino took off his trademark suit and was in St. John's workout gear when he
talked with reporters after drying off.
"I've said this all along how enjoyable this team is, but tonight was the icing
on the cake because a lot of teams would break down 12, down 10, and they never
broke," Pitino said.
The NCAA recognizes Pitino with only 777 wins after stripping him of 123
because of infractions at Louisville. Bob Knight had 899 victories, but is
credited with 902 by the NCAA because three losses were later ruled forfeits as
punishment for program violations by Indiana opponents.
Mike Krzyzewski leads the way with 1,202 wins, followed by Jim Boeheim (1,116)
and Roy Williams (903).
The elder Pitino has won four of five meetings against his son, who previously
coached at Florida International, Minnesota and New Mexico.
It is also the 20th time in 23 Division I matchups the father has defeated the
son.
"He didn't say it, but we all know he really wanted it against his son and
happy to pull it through," said guard Dylan Darling, who hit the go-ahead
basket.
___
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