Rick Pitino Defeats Son Richard in Latest Coaching Clash as St. John’s Tops New Mexico

Rick Pitino, the head coach of No. 22 St. John's, secured a victory against his son Richard Pitino’s New Mexico team in their latest coaching matchup. The game, which took place on November 17, saw St. John’s emerge victorious with a score of 85-71. This win improved Rick Pitino’s record to 3-1 in coaching matchups against his son.

The game was part of the NYC Hoops for Heroes Classic, benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a cause close to the Pitino family due to the loss of Rick Pitino’s brother-in-law and closest friend, Billy Minardi, in the 9/11 attacks. The event held significant emotional value, with Rick Pitino praising the support from the crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Rick Pitino expressed admiration for his son’s coaching abilities, describing Richard as a “great young coach” with a “brilliant” offensive mind. Despite the loss, Richard Pitino was grateful for the experience and the opportunity for his players to play at Madison Square Garden, a venue New Mexico had not visited since the 1990 National Invitation Tournament.

The family dynamics were evident during the game, with Rick Pitino’s wife, Joanne, and her sister and best friend supporting Richard from behind the New Mexico bench. Rick Pitino’s daughter, Jacqueline, and another son, Ryan, opted to remain neutral by sitting behind the St. John’s bench.

The game also featured Nelly Junior Joseph, who played for Rick Pitino at Iona before transferring to New Mexico, scoring 16 points in the loss. The matchup was marked by a moment where Rick Pitino had to urge St. John’s fans to stop a disrespectful chant directed at his son).