Legendary coach Pitino joining St. John's
Two-time national championship-winning coach Rick Pitino agreed to become the next head coach at St. John's, the school announced Monday.
The deal is expected to span six seasons, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Pete Thamel.
Pitino coached at Iona for the last three seasons after being ousted at Louisville in 2017 due to an NCAA investigation.
The 70-year-old took the Gaels to the NCAA Tournament in two of his campaigns with the program, including this year. He made the Big Dance in 22 of his 32 eligible seasons as a college bench boss, split between Iona, Louisville, Kentucky, Providence, Boston University, and Hawaii.
The Red Storm parted ways with coach Mike Anderson earlier in March following four seasons with the program. The school hasn't advanced past the NCAA Tournament's First Four since 2015 and made the Big Dance just three times since 2002.
"I am excited that this seasoned coaching veteran - who has won at the highest levels and is as passionate as ever - is committed to leading our student-athletes and our program to national prominence," school president Brian J. Shanley said in a statement.
Pitino, a New York native, enters his first stint as a college coach in his hometown, though he did spend two seasons manning the New York Knicks from 1987-89.
Pitino's illustrious career includes seven Final Four appearances, a National Coach of the Year award, and a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.