Rick Pitino ‘Absolutely Not’ Interested In Knicks Job

Rick Pitino, head coach for the St. John’s Red Storm, was at Yankee Stadium to throw out the first pitch when he was asked a newly relevant question for a basketball coach in the city of New York: Are you interested in filling the coaching vacancy left by Tom Thibodeau, whom the New York Knicks let go on Tuesday afternoon?

“Absolutely not,” said Pitino on the Yankees broadcast.

Pitino is cruising with the Red Storm, so it would be kind of a shock to see him pursue the job. Pitino, 72, compiled a 90-74 record with two playoff appearances in two seasons as the head coach of the Knicks from 1987 to 1989.

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

“I think whoever comes in, if he doesn’t get to the Finals, it’s going to be deemed an unsuccessful season,” Pitino said. “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.”

In the broadcast, Pitino showed some sympathy for Thibodeau’s situation prior to the game, noting that he “feels bad” for the 67-year-old coach.

“I feel bad for Thibs because he captured all of New York, built something very, very special,” Pitino said. “A lot of us don’t comprehend what happened, but Thibs is going to be well taken care of and he’ll move on to other pastures.”

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

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 the Knicks.