The season did not finish how Rick Pitino or the St. John’s basketball team had envisioned but the historic campaign ended with a bang for both the Hall of Famer and the program.
Pitino was named as the co-AP Coach of the Year on Friday at the Final Four. He shared the honor with Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, marking the first time in the award’s history that it has been shared.
It is the first time in his career that he has won the award as well as the first time a St. John’s coach has been tabbed with the honors since it was created in 1967.
Pitino said during his press conference in San Antonio that he thought he had won the award in a previous year but was told by his wife he had not and only won the Wooden Award.
His response to finally realizing that he won the Associated Press Coach of the Year, “That’s awesome!”
Rick Pitino is also a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year alongside Houston’s Kelvin Sampson, Duke’s Jon Scheyer, and Pearl.
The Red Storm capped off its best season in nearly 40 years, winning its first outright Big East regular season title since 1985, its first Big East Tournament Championship since 2000, and winning its first NCAA Tournament game in 25 years.
It’s 31 victories on the season tied a school record for most victories in a season.
Rick Pitino also took home the Big East Coach of the Year Award, which he won for the first time in his illustrious career.
“It is a special treat,” Pitino added. “We know why we win these awards; it’s dedicated players having a great season and dedicated [coaching] staffs and everybody coming together, and I certainly share with that, but I’m excited to win this.”
He has already jumpstarted the offseason for the Johnnies, adding Providence forward Bryce Hopkins and Arizona State guard Joson Sanon in the transfer portal.