Rick Pitino wants son, Richard, to take St. John's basketball job after retirement

The St. John's basketball program might be keeping it within the family after Rick Pitino retires.

At least that's the hope of the Hall of Famer.

Pitino was asked about the disaster of a situation surrounding the DePaul program following the 85-57 Red Storm victory on Tuesday night over the Blue Demons, and if he believes his son, Richard, would be a good candidate for vacant job.

"I'll say this about my son because he was my assistant coach [at Louisville]," Pitino started his remarks.

"Richard was responsible for one Final Four, without him we wouldn't have gotten there. Richard is one of the bright minds in the game today."

The youngest Pitino has currently guided New Mexico (18-5, 7-3 Mountain West) to a No. 25 ranking in the Associated Press Poll and has the Lobos looking like a bonafide NCAA Tournament team.

Rick Pitino visited with his son during St. John's bye week and watched New Mexico defeat Nevada, 89-55, on January 28.

"He's a great coach, he's a great communicator," Pitino continued.

"I want him to stay at New Mexico until I leave St. John's and he can take my place then."

Richard Pitino began his coaching career at Florida International in 2012 and led the Panthers to its first winning season since 2000 before leaving for Minnesota after just once season.

Pitino was the head coach of the Golden Gophers for eight years, winning the NIT during his inaugural campaign and earning two NCAA Tournament bids, before getting fired after the 2021 season, his second consecutive losing season.

"They just have to hire the right person," Pitino added about DePaul. "I just don't want it to be my son, I want him to stay at New Mexico."

However, there is a caveat.

"The one thing I can tell you about my son Richard, I have no say in what he does. I did when he was my assistant coach. He's his own man. If he wants to go to DePaul, or any place else, that's going to be his call."

As for St. John's, they are looking to nail down an NCAA Tournament berth in the first year of Rick Pitino and could potentially see Richard Pitino and the Lobos in the Round of 64 if the selection committee has a sense of humor.