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Richard Pitino will be the next head basketball coach at Xavier University. He replaces Sean Miller, who bolted for Texas after three seasons.
The former New Mexico headman will now join his legendary father in the Big East. The Musketeers pulled the trigger on Pitino when a conference rival wouldn’t.
Pitino is fresh off his second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance with the Lobos. His team went 27-8 last season and advanced to the Round of 32 in the Big Dance.
After beating Big East foe Marquette in the March Madness opener, his squad fell in a close loss to Michigan State. Soon after the season ended, speculation emerged.
Richard Pitino’s name popped up for a number of notable jobs on the college basketball market. Two happened to reside in the same league as his father’s St. John’s Red Storm.
Across four seasons in Albuquerque, Pitino posted an 88-49 overall record. His last three teams won 20 games or more. He has experience at the Power 4 level having spent eight seasons at Minnesota. His resume is legit.
Villanova and Xavier were both mentioned in connection to the head coach. One made the call while the other waited for a better option.
Villanova wouldn’t extend an offer to Richard Pitino.
College basketball personality John Fanta broke down the Xavier hire on Tuesday night. The Musketeers got their guy quickly after losing Sean Miller to Texas.
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“There will be two Pitinos in the Big East Conference,” he said in a video response. “Richard Pitino is headed to the Xavier Musketeers… It’s a home run by [athletic director] Greg Christopher. Richard Pitino is so motivated to get redemption at the high major level… He’s ready for this.
“He was up for the Villanova job. There was not an offer extended… Greg Christopher did not waste time.”
Xavier acted quickly in securing its next head coach. Villanova appears to be holding out hope for a bigger name, possibly Kevin Willard who’s still coaching Maryland in the Sweet 16.
Willard has expressed unhappiness with his current situation, claiming the athletic department refuses to make a true investment in his program. With that being said, he noted that he intends to stay should his list of demands be met.
If Willard does stay put, Villanova will have to find another option. That option won’t be Richard Pitino. He’s headed to a rival, and he could have a vendetta against the Wildcats following the recent rejection.