In a recent broadcast during the Yankees-Guardians game, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino made it clear that he has no intention of returning to the New York Knicks as their head coach. When asked about the possibility, he responded with an emphatic, “Absolutely not.”
Pitino’s comments come at a time when the pressure is mounting for the Knicks following the firing of coach Tom Thibodeau. Despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, Thibodeau’s tenure is now officially over. Pitino remarked on the high expectations that come with taking the Knicks’ helm, emphasizing that any new coach will face immense pressure to bring the team to the NBA Finals, a benchmark that hasn’t been reached since 1999. “Whoever comes in has got so much pressure on them to take this team to the next level,” he said, capturing the intense scrutiny that surrounds the franchise.
Thibodeau’s departure came after a solid five-season run with the Knicks, where he amassed a record of 226-174. This season alone, the team finished with a commendable 51-31 record, and while he navigated a challenging playoff journey, finishing 24-23, it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure his position.
Reflecting on his own time in New York, Pitino coached the Knicks from 1987 to 1989 and had a respectable record of 90-74 with two playoff appearances. Now, he leads St. John’s, where in the 2024-25 season, he garnered accolades as both the national and Big East Coach of the Year after steering the team to a remarkable 31-5 finish.
As the Knicks search for their next head coach, the narrative is all too familiar: a storied franchise grappling with high expectations and a championship drought that stretches back to 1973. The weight is heavy for whoever steps into the role next, and Pitino’s disinterest signals not just personal preference but an understanding of the daunting challenge that lies ahead.
