Rick Pitino Declines Knicks Coaching Opportunity Amid Pressure

NEW YORK, New York – Rick Pitino, a prominent figure in New York basketball, firmly declined any interest in returning to coach the New York Knicks. During a recent broadcast, he was asked about the possibility of stepping back onto the NBA sidelines after the Knicks parted ways with Tom Thibodeau on May 5, 2025. Pitino’s response was swift: “Absolutely not,” he stated.

The Knicks made the coaching change after Thibodeau led the team to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000. Media speculation quickly pointed to Pitino, but he showcased a clear commitment to his current role at St. John's, where he recently completed a successful season.

“If [the new coach] doesn’t get to the Finals, it’s going to be deemed an unsuccessful season,” Pitino commented, highlighting the extreme pressure placed on any potential successor. At 72 years old, he emphasized his satisfaction with his team’s accomplishments.

Pitino completed his second year at St. John’s with a remarkable 31-5 record and earned honors as both national and Big East Coach of the Year. “I’m loving where I am,” he told YES Network’s Michael Kay. “At this stage in my life, I’m all about legacy, and that’s going to be built at St. John’s.”

As the Knicks continue their search for a new leader, it seems Rick Pitino’s coaching days in the NBA are firmly in his past.