Reports: Richard Pitino to coach Xavier, join Rick in Big East

Field Level Media|published: Tue 25th March, 22:43 2025

Mar 21, 2025; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Mexico Lobos head coach Richard Pitino reacts in the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the NCAA Tournament First Round at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Xavier is turning to Richard Pitino as its next head basketball coach, several outlets reported Tuesday night.

Pitino, who spent the past four seasons at New Mexico, replaces Sean Miller, who left for the Texas job earlier this week.

It also means Pitino will coach two games against his father, Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, in the Big East next season when the Musketeers face St. John's.

The younger Pitino, 42, was at Florida International for the 2012-13 season and coached Minnesota for the eight seasons after that. He has amassed a 247-186 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances, two at Minnesota and each of the past two years at New Mexico.

Richard Pitino guided the Lobos to a 27-8 record and a regular-season Mountain West championship this past season. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 10th-seeded New Mexico upset Big East member Marquette 75-66 before losing 71-63 to No. 2 seed Michigan State in the second round Sunday .

--Field Level Media

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