There’s some exciting family rivalry brewing in the Big East as Richard Pitino takes the helm at Xavier, stepping into one of college basketball’s most storied programs. With the departure of Sean Miller to Texas, the Musketeers quickly found their new leader in Pitino, who comes off an impressive stint at New Mexico, where he guided the Lobos to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a solid 27-8 record this past season.
In his own words, Richard Pitino couldn’t be more enthused about joining Xavier: “Xavier is one of the great brands in all of college basketball. It has always been a dream of mine to coach in the Big East. The Cintas Center is going to be rocking. I can’t wait to get to work.” Such passion for the game and the program is a promising sign for Musketeers fans.
During his time at New Mexico, Pitino was recognized as the Mountain West Coach of the Year, leading the Lobos to a regular-season title. His coaching record at New Mexico stands at 88-49, boasting an overall coaching mark of 247-186. This will mark his fourth head coaching role, having previously managed the programs at Florida International and Minnesota, where he gained crucial experience that will now benefit Xavier.
Athletic director Greg Christopher voiced strong confidence in this new hire, stating, “He has proven himself as a winner as a head coach at New Mexico and has an impressive resume of success before that as a head coach at Minnesota.” Christopher’s endorsement reflects the sense of urgency for Xavier, aiming to achieve championship success in the competitive landscape of the Big East and beyond.
One notable aspect of his move is the potential for a father-son face-off in the conference. Richard Pitino will now be going up against his father, Rick, who leads St. John’s. Both coaches are primed for exciting matchups, especially given their history, including a game earlier this season when St. John’s took the win over New Mexico at Madison Square Garden.
Interestingly, Richard has emphasized the importance of program investment, hinting that NIL opportunities and future revenue sharing weighed heavily in his decision to move from New Mexico. “I think the balance of power has greatly, greatly shifted,” he said, recognizing the current dynamics of college basketball that every coach faces. This understanding will be pivotal as he navigates Xavier’s competitive landscape.
As Richard Pitino steps into his new role, he inherits a Musketeers program that has recently found success, making the NCAA Tournament two of the past three years. Following Miller’s impactful second tenure, expectations will be high for Pitino to continue that momentum. His journey at New Mexico yielded its first consecutive March Madness appearances since 2013-14, and the Lobos’ recent tournament win was a significant step, breaking a long drought of tournament victories.
Pitino’s maturity as a coach is evident as he reflects on his growth: “I understand it’s not about an out-of-bounds play or a turnover. It’s about the program that you build.” With a clear focus on developing talent and fostering a solid team environment, he seems poised to create a positive trajectory for Xavier basketball.
As he transitions into this new chapter, it will be interesting to keep an eye on whether some of his former players at New Mexico join him, following the recent transfer portal activity of some key Lobos players. With the energy and excitement he brings to the table, Richard Pitino’s tenure at Xavier promises to be a captivating journey for fans and a significant chapter in Big East basketball.
