St. John's Rick Pitino Announcement is Turning Heads

St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino is trending even after the team's 2025 NCAA Tournament loss, and for a big reason.

Pitino was named one of the four finalists for the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year award, with St. John's confirming the development on Monday—just two days after its loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Round of 32.

"Coach Pitino has been named one of four finalists for the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year award," St. John's wrote on X, along with an edited photo showing Pitino and the latest recognition.

Pitino was joined by the Houston Cougars' Kelvin Sampson, Auburn Tigers' Bruce Pearl and Duke Blue Devils' Jon Scheyer as finalists for the honor.

Coach Pitino has been named one of four finalists for the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year award 🏀🏆

🗞️: https://t.co/8bsFMao1ga @NaismithTrophy | #RedStorm pic.twitter.com/B9xYjC0VhC
— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) March 24, 2025

Sure enough, several fans expressed excitement about the development, noting that Rick Pitino deserves the recognition. After all, he led St. John's to a 31-5 record, including a new all-time mark of 18-2 in the Big East.

Under his tutelage, the Red Storm also won the Big East Tournament title, as well as their first NCAA Tournament game in 25 years.

St. John's head coach Rick Pitino gestures towards campus minister for athletics Richard Rock.Brad Penner-Imagn Images

"Well deserved," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "As he should!"

"Go Ricky!!!" a hyped supporter added.

Others, however, shared disappointment over Pitino's selection.

"There are so many better coaches that could be finalists than him. Obviously, the award is starting to be just a good old boys club," a critic wrote.

Another one mentioned his past scandals, noting, "Everyone forgets how he was banned and what he was banned for!!!"

A poster stated, "I will replace Rick Pitino with the coach for the University of Florida."

Regardless of what the critics say, though, there's no denying that Pitino has been huge in turning the St. John's program around. Whether or not he'll win the award remains to be seen, but he has certainly proven himself to still be an elite coach.

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St. John's Rick Pitino Announcement is Turning Heads

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