Rick Pitino Signs Extension With St. John's, Becomes Big East's Second-Highest-Paid Coach

The 73-year-old coach's new deal keeps him at the school through the 2029-30 season.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:49am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a bold color scheme representing the energy and intensity of the sport.Pitino's contract extension solidifies St. John's commitment to maintaining its status as a Big East basketball powerhouse.Queens Today

Rick Pitino has signed a contract extension with St. John's that adds one year through the 2029-30 season and includes a substantial pay increase, making him the Big East's second-highest-paid coach behind UConn's Dan Hurley. The extension follows back-to-back historic seasons for the Red Storm, who became the first program in Big East history to capture both the regular season and conference tournament titles in consecutive years.

Why it matters

Pitino's extension signals continued investment in the St. John's basketball program and its commitment to restoring the school's standing as a powerhouse in the Big East. The Red Storm's resurgence under Pitino has reinvigorated the fan base and brought a new energy to the program not seen in nearly a generation.

The details

Pitino holds an 81-25 record in three seasons at St. John's, with two NCAA tournament appearances and 30 or more wins in each of the past two campaigns. The Sweet 16 run this season was the program's first since 1999 and made St. John's the fourth program Pitino has guided to the second weekend of the tournament.

  • Pitino was dismissed from Louisville in October 2017 following a federal investigation into college basketball.
  • Pitino returned stateside at Iona in 2020, where he guided the Gaels to two NCAA appearances in three seasons.
  • Pitino's new extension with St. John's runs through the 2029-30 season.

The players

Rick Pitino

A 73-year-old basketball coach who has signed a contract extension with St. John's University, making him the second-highest-paid coach in the Big East Conference.

Dan Hurley

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

Ed Kull

The athletic director of St. John's University, who expressed the school's excitement about Pitino's contract extension.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled that Coach Pitino has signed a new agreement to remain at St. John's, a deal that will keep him in Queens through the end of the decade. Coach Pitino has changed the culture of our community and we want his presence to be felt on this campus for years to come.”

— Ed Kull, Athletic Director, St. John's University

What’s next

The Red Storm will look to build on their recent success and continue their rise as a top program in the Big East under Pitino's leadership in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Pitino's contract extension solidifies St. John's commitment to maintaining its status as a basketball powerhouse in the Big East. The Red Storm's resurgence under Pitino has reinvigorated the fan base and brought a new energy to the program, and the school is clearly invested in keeping him at the helm for the foreseeable future.