History of Rick Pitino in Timeline
Rick Pitino is a prominent American basketball coach currently leading St. John's University's men's basketball team. He also coached Greece's national team. Over his extensive career, Pitino has coached multiple NCAA Division I teams, including Boston University, Providence College, Kentucky, and Louisville, achieving considerable success. He also spent time coaching in the NBA with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. Furthermore, Pitino coached professionally in Greece for Panathinaikos and most recently at Iona University before returning to a high-profile position at St. John's.
1976: Pitino Marries Joanne Minardi
In 1976, Rick Pitino married Joanne Minardi.
1987: Death of Son, Daniel Pitino
In 1987, Rick and Joanne Pitino's son, Daniel, died from congenital heart failure at the age of six months.
1987: Adoption of 3-Point Shot by NCAA
In 1987, the NCAA adopted the 3-point shot, and Rick Pitino is considered one of the first coaches to fully utilize it.
1988: Publication of Born to Coach
In 1988, Rick Pitino published his autobiography entitled "Born to Coach", describing his life up until his time with the Knicks.
1990: Kentucky Ineligible for NCAA and SEC Tournaments
In 1990, Kentucky was ineligible for both the NCAA and SEC Tournaments due to sanctions from the Eddie Sutton-era.
1991: Kentucky Ineligible for NCAA and SEC Tournaments
In 1991, Kentucky was ineligible for both the NCAA and SEC Tournaments due to sanctions from the Eddie Sutton-era.
September 11, 2001: Death of Billy Minardi in 9/11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, Joanne Pitino's brother and Rick's closest friend, Billy Minardi, died in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center.
2002: Billy Minardi Classic Established
Since 2002, the University of Louisville has designated a December home game as the Billy Minardi Classic.
August 1, 2003: Pitino admits to sexual relations with Cunagin
On August 1, 2003, Pitino admitted that he had sexual relations with Karen Cunagin at Porcini restaurant in Louisville.
January 28, 2004: Pitino Credited With Win Despite Medical Leave
On January 28, 2004, Rick Pitino did not coach in one win (vs. Houston) due to medical leave, but is credited with the victory.
2005: Louisville Ties for Most Single-Season Wins
In 2005, Rick Pitino's Louisville team tied for the most single-season wins in school history with 33.
April 18, 2009: Pitino Target of Extortion Attempt
On April 18, 2009, Rick Pitino announced that he was the target of an extortion attempt by Karen Cunagin Sypher.
August 6, 2010: Cunagin Found Guilty of Extortion
On August 6, 2010, Karen Cunagin was found guilty of extortion and lying to federal agents in her case against Rick Pitino.
December 20, 2010: Pitino Hired as Head Coach of Puerto Rico National Team
On December 20, 2010, Rick Pitino was hired as head coach of the senior Puerto Rico national team.
April 29, 2011: Pitino Steps Down as Puerto Rico Coach
On April 29, 2011, Rick Pitino stepped down as coach of the Puerto Rico national team due to scheduling conflicts and NCAA regulations.
2011: Louisville Vacates Victories and Losses
In 2011, Louisville vacated all of its victories and three losses from the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 seasons.
2012: Louisville Vacates Victories and Losses
In 2012, Louisville vacated all of its victories and three losses from the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 seasons.
2013: Goldencents Wins Santa Anita Derby
In 2013, Goldencents, in which Pitino's RAP Racing owns a share, won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.
2013: Louisville Vacates Victories and Losses
In 2013, Louisville vacated all of its victories and three losses from the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 seasons.
2013: Louisville Wins NCAA Title
In 2013, Rick Pitino coached the Louisville Cardinals to win the NCAA title, later vacated.
2014: Louisville Vacates Victories and Losses
In 2014, Louisville vacated all of its victories and three losses from the 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 seasons.
2015: Louisville Self-Imposed Postseason Ineligibility
In 2015, Louisville self-imposed ineligibility for the 2015–16 postseason due to an ongoing NCAA investigation.
2015: Pitino Coaches Puerto Rico in FIBA Americas Championship
In 2015, Rick Pitino coached the Puerto Rican national team at the FIBA Americas Championship, in Mexico City, Mexico, where they finished the tournament in 5th place.
January 2017: Cunagin Released to Halfway House
In January 2017, Karen Cunagin, who was convicted of extorting Rick Pitino, was released to a halfway house.
December 26, 2018: Pitino Announced as Head Coach of Panathinaikos
On December 26, 2018, Rick Pitino was announced as the head coach of Panathinaikos until the end of the season, marking his debut in the EuroLeague.
2018: Publication of Pitino: My Story
In 2018, Rick Pitino's book, "Pitino: My Story" was published.
February 17, 2019: Panathinaikos Wins Greek Cup
On February 17, 2019, Pitino's Panathinaikos team won the 2018–19 Greek Cup against PAOK in the final.
November 8, 2019: Pitino Hired as Head Coach of Greece National Team
On November 8, 2019, Rick Pitino was hired as head coach of Greece's senior national team for the 2020 FIBA Victoria Olympic qualifying tournament and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
November 26, 2019: Pitino Rehired by Panathinaikos
On November 26, 2019, Rick Pitino was rehired by Panathinaikos as the team's head coach on a two-year deal after the firing of Argyris Pedoulakis.
March 14, 2020: Pitino Named Head Coach of Iona College
On March 14, 2020, Rick Pitino was named head coach of Iona College after Tim Cluess stepped down due to health issues.
March 2020: Pitino Leaves Panathinaikos
In March 2020, Rick Pitino left Panathinaikos when the 2019–20 EuroLeague season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Panathinaikos in sixth place.
2020: Iona College Reaches NCAA Tournament
In 2020, Rick Pitino led Iona College to the NCAA tournament after winning the MAAC tournament, making him the third coach to lead five different programs to the NCAA tournament.
2020: Pitino to coach Greece at Olympics
In 2020, Rick Pitino was scheduled to coach Greece at the 2020 Summer Olympics, should Greece qualify.
2021: Pitino's Collegiate Coaching Record
As of 2021, Rick Pitino had compiled a 684–282 record as a collegiate head coach.
2021: Skourtopoulos to coach Greece at EuroBasket
In 2021, Thanasis Skourtopoulos was to serve as Greece's head coach for the 2021 EuroBasket qualification tournament.
2022: Pitino's NCAA Tournament Winning Percentage Ranked Seventh
As of 2022, Rick Pitino's .730 winning percentage in 74 NCAA Tournament games ranked seventh among all coaches.
