St. John's Extends Rick Pitino's Contract Through 2030

The Hall of Fame coach will remain with the Red Storm for another 8 seasons.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:23am

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According to multiple reports, St. John's University has signed Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino to a new contract extension that will keep him with the school through the 2029-30 season. Pitino was originally hired in March 2023 on a 6-year deal, but the restructured agreement adds an additional year and a raise that will make him the second-highest paid coach in the Big East conference behind UConn's Dan Hurley.

Why it matters

Retaining a high-profile coach like Pitino is a major coup for St. John's as they look to rebuild their men's basketball program into a national contender. Pitino's track record of success and ability to recruit top talent should help elevate the Red Storm back to prominence in the Big East and NCAA Tournament.

The details

Pitino's new contract will reportedly pay him a salary that places him second only to UConn's Dan Hurley among Big East head coaches. The extension adds an additional year to Pitino's original 6-year deal, keeping him in Queens through the 2029-30 season. St. John's is hoping Pitino can replicate the success he had at previous stops, including winning a national championship at Kentucky in 1996 and leading Louisville to the 2013 title.

  • Pitino was hired as St. John's head coach in March 2023 on a 6-year contract.
  • The new extension announced on March 30, 2026 adds an additional year to Pitino's deal, keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season.

The players

Rick Pitino

A Hall of Fame basketball coach who was hired by St. John's in 2023 and has now signed a contract extension that will keep him with the program through the 2029-30 season.

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the University of Connecticut men's basketball team, who is currently the highest paid coach in the Big East conference.

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What they’re saying

“Retaining a coach of Rick Pitino's caliber is a major statement about the direction of our program. We're thrilled to have him leading St. John's basketball for the foreseeable future.”

— Mike Cragg, St. John's Athletic Director

What’s next

St. John's will look to build on Pitino's first few seasons with the program and compete for a Big East championship and NCAA Tournament berth in the coming years.

The takeaway

St. John's has made a long-term commitment to Rick Pitino, betting that the Hall of Fame coach can restore the Red Storm to national prominence in men's college basketball. Pitino's track record of success should provide a boost in recruiting and help elevate St. John's back to the upper echelon of the Big East conference.