Rick Pitino Inks New Deal to Stay at St. John's

Veteran coach signs contract extension through 2030 season.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:35pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic final seconds of a college basketball game, with players and the court rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the dramatic final moments of St. John's NCAA Tournament victory over Kansas.Queens Today

After leading St. John's to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, veteran head coach Rick Pitino has signed a new contract extension that will keep him with the Red Storm through the 2029-30 season, according to reports. The deal reportedly makes Pitino the second-highest paid coach in the Big East conference.

Why it matters

Pitino's contract extension provides stability and continuity for the St. John's basketball program, which has seen a resurgence in recent years under the Hall of Fame coach's leadership. Retaining Pitino is a major coup for the university as it looks to build on its recent tournament success and compete for Big East titles.

The details

The new contract extension will reportedly pay Pitino a salary that trails only UConn's Dan Hurley among Big East coaches. Pitino's Red Storm squad made a surprise run to the Sweet 16 this past season, highlighted by a dramatic buzzer-beater win over Kansas in the second round.

  • St. John's season ended in the Sweet 16 on March 24, 2026.
  • Pitino signed the new contract extension on March 29, 2026.

The players

Rick Pitino

A Hall of Fame college basketball coach who has led St. John's to new heights since taking over the program in 2021.

Dan Hurley

The head coach of the UConn Huskies, who is currently the highest-paid coach in the Big East conference.

Dylan Darling

A star player for St. John's who hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to defeat Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Retaining Coach Pitino is a huge win for our program and our university. He has brought St. John's basketball back to national prominence, and we're thrilled to have him leading our team for years to come.”

— Rev. Brian Shanley, President, St. John's University

What’s next

St. John's will look to build on its Sweet 16 appearance and compete for a Big East title next season with Pitino at the helm.

The takeaway

Pitino's contract extension solidifies St. John's as a rising power in the Big East and demonstrates the university's commitment to maintaining the program's recent success under the Hall of Fame coach's leadership.