Rick Pitino has been a head college basketball coach on and off since 1978, so he has seen a lot of change not only within the sport, but in life. As a result, the 71-year-old is forced to adapt and change with the modernization of society, and bring those adjustments to the hardwood.
A big part of what makes Rick Pitino successful, as his star guard reiterated earlier this week, is the ability to relate to his players and develop strong relationships on a personal level that translate to the professional side of basketball. Part of that comes with an understanding of the modern era.
College athletes today live very differently than they did while Pitino was just starting out at Boston and Providence in the 70s and 80s. Technology is a big part of that.
Mobile phones, let alone iPhones and Androids, didn’t exist. They were not nearly as advanced as they are today when Pitino got started at Louisville in 2001.
Having coached through the rise of technology, Pitino approaches the game very differently than he did 40+ years ago. And now, after four years at Iona, the two-time* national champion coach is back on the highest level of the sport with St. John’s.
There is a lot of hope that the Red Storm could be really good right away. A tangible buzz has come over New York City. This will likely be Pitino’s last stop and a third ring* is on his mind.
Rick Pitino is taking a modern approach to college basketball at St. John’s.
A large part of any success in year one and beyond, he says, will come down to film. It is something that Pitino has learned about his athletes over the last few years.
Their phones are attached to their hips. They are visual people.
Drawing things up on a chalkboard will not go as far as video imagery.
Although what Pitino said may not be a ground-breaking revelation, it is interesting to hear his perspective. Coaches are often unwilling to change their ways. Pitino sees it as the only way forward.
He has evaluated the modern day college athlete, built connections, and caterered his teachings to their needs— rather than the other way around. Pitino isn’t forcing his players to conform to his way of coaching, he is evolving to meet them where they need to be. Pretty cool insight!