Ed Kull has visions for St. John's basketball success in present and beyond

The vision for St. John's future was on display Tuesday afternoon in Queens as the school formally introduced Ed Kull as its new athletics director.

Kull, who is returning to Queens after spending time as the AD at Fordham, highlighted the need for immediate fundraising to bolster the public profile of the Johnnies for success not only in the present but long into the future, specifically with the men's basketball program.

He did not hide from the fact that head coach Rick Pitino, 72, is entering the second year of his 6-year contract that he signed in March 2023 and stated its his job to give the Hall of Famer all the resources he needs to bring the Johnnies back to prominence, but set up the program for success after Pitino.

"He’s got a passion and a fire burning inside of him to do this one more time and do it the right way." Kull said of Pitino.

"I think for St. John’s University, it’s the perfect opportunity to make sure that we, or Ed Kull, is building alongside that in terms of not only having successful season, or seasons, with St. John’s Basketball, but for the future that we are building, that is more sustainable opportunity and approach for us as a program moving forward."

Ed Kull and Rick Pitino did not know each other prior despite sharing a close friend in billionaire Red Storm booster Mike Repole.

Pitino explained he was not involved in the hiring process of Kull at all.

“I think he did fabulous," he said of Kull's opening address to all those assembled in Queens on Tuesday, which included nearly every head coach at the school.

"I did my own homework -- without anybody asking -- I spoke with the Fordham soccer coach, basketball coach, some people that work there, and they were all over the top with [Ed Kull]."

The marriage between Ed Kull and St. John's is still in the honeymoon stage but it has all the makings of a perfect relationship that could awake a sleeping giant in college athletics.

"I think it really is, no pun intended, a perfect storm of what it could be because of Rick’s desire and his focus," Kull continued. "His energy level is intense, his competitive juices are as high as ever and I really think that’s the opportunity St. John’s is able to seize in this partnership together.”