Rick Pitino says he would 'absolutely not' coach Knicks

Field Level Media|published: Thu 5th June, 10:57 2025

Mar 15, 2025; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino coaches against the Creighton Bluejays during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

St. John's coach Rick Pitino said he has zero interest in becoming head coach of the New York Knicks again.

"Absolutely not," Pitino said during a broadcast of Wednesday's game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians, per CBS Sports.

"I think whoever comes in, if he doesn't get to the Finals, it's going to be deemed an unsuccessful season," he continued. "So, whoever comes in has got so much pressure on them to take this team to the next level cause that's why they're doing it, obviously, in their minds."

The Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday despite reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

The Knicks haven't reached the NBA Finals since 1999 and have not won a championship since 1973.

Pitino, 72, compiled a 90-74 record with two playoff appearances in two seasons as the head coach for New York from 1987-89.

The Hall of Famer completed his second season as the head coach at St. John's in 2024-25, winning national and Big East Coach of the Year honors after finishing 31-5.

Thibodeau compiled a 226-174 (.565) record in five seasons with the Knicks, including a 51-31 finish this season. He was 24-23 in the playoffs with New York.

--Field Level Media

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