Rick Pitino: The Greatest College Basketball Coach Alive—Possibly Ever

In the world of college basketball, few names command as much respect as Rick Pitino. Now leading St. John’s, Pitino continues to prove his brilliance, cementing his status as not just the best coach alive, but possibly the greatest to ever do it.

His resume speaks for itself: multiple Final Fours, national championships, and an ability to turn struggling programs into powerhouses. But what if historyRic had taken a different turn?

Many Kentucky fans still wonder—what if UK had listened to Pitino and built a modern arena instead of clinging to Rupp Arena? Pitino wanted a state-of-the-art facility to keep UK ahead of the competition, but when the administration refused, he left for the NBA. Had he stayed, it’s easy to imagine Kentucky dominating college basketball even more than it already has. Fifteen, maybe even twenty national championships? Not out of the question.

Instead, UK remained at Rupp, and Pitino moved on. The program has had success, but nothing like the dynasty that could have been under Pitino’s continued leadership. Meanwhile, Pitino’s coaching genius has never faded.

Now at St. John’s, he’s once again proving that no coach—past or present—matches his ability to build, innovate, and win. The legacy of Rick Pitino is undeniable. The only question left is: What could have been?