By JAMES MADDEN
Legendary head coach Rick Pitino won his 900th career game on Saturday, an 88-83 win over his son Richard, and Xavier in Cincinnati. Pitino became the fourth coach to reach 900 career wins at the Division I level, joining Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim and Roy Williams.
Pitino has scattered these 900 wins across stints with seven different schools, including Hawai’i, Boston University, Providence, Louisville, Kentucky, Iona and St. John’s.
Having had two different NBA stints, Pitino would likely be well over 1,000 career wins and closing in on Krzyzewski, the all-time winningest coach in Division I history, had he remained in college for his entire career.
In the fifth ever meeting between Rick Pitino and his son, Richard, Rick improved his record against Richard to 4-1 all-time. Saturday’s matchup was the pair’s first meeting since November 17, 2024, when St. John’s beat New Mexico 85-71.
Pitino was asked postgame about his 900th and what it meant to reach the milestone in front of the majority of his family, including Richard.
“I don’t like beating (Richard) obviously, but it’s beating Xavier. Richard did a phenomenal job,” Pitino said.
Andy Katz asked Pitino what was next for him, after reaching his 900th win. The Hall of Famer kept it short and sweet.
“1,000,” he said with a laugh.
Rick’s son, Richard, was asked postgame about his father’s milestone and didn’t hold back his praise.
“He’s the best college basketball coach ever… When your dad is 73, you just want him to be happy and healthy… It keeps him young. I hope he continues to coach. He’s a phenomenal coach. I’m really, really lucky to have him as a father,” Pitino told reporters.
Rick Pitino could have the possibility of going for his 903rd career win against his son, when the Red Storm hosts Xavier on February 14th at Madison Square Garden.
St. John’s will host Butler next Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, after improving to 15-5 with its win against Xavier on Saturday.
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