Rick Pitino uncertain of teaching future after Iona bounced from NCAA Tournament in first spherical

Legendary faculty basketball coach Rick Pitino has coached Iona for 3 seasons. 

A fourth is up within the air. 

Head coach Rick Pitino of the Iona Gaels seems on through the first half in opposition to the Connecticut Huskies through the first spherical of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York.  (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos by way of Getty Images)

Following Iona’s 87-63 loss to the UConn Huskies on Friday, Pitino was requested whether or not the first-round loss was his final as head coach of the Gaels. 

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“I actually do not have a solution to it, to be trustworthy with you,” Pitino mentioned. “I don’t know whether it is or is not, as a result of I’ve centered all the things on this sport, attempting to develop a plan to beat Connecticut.” 

Pitino has been rumored to be the popular candidate for the pinnacle teaching place at St. John’s, a college simply 20 miles away from Iona. 

Head coach Rick Pitino of the Iona Gaels reacts within the second half in opposition to the Connecticut Huskies through the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York.  (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

“I actually have not put any thought into it in any respect,” Pitino mentioned when requested whether or not he had a timeline for making a choice on his future. “I hear the query from you, and I feel if you begin pondering forward, you at all times fail.

“We put numerous effort into this sport. I do not know. I do not know if it is proper for me, one other job. I do not know that. It’s one thing, like I mentioned earlier than, I do know you are all alluding to St. John’s, however I’ve by no means seen St. John’s. Somebody despatched me a clip.” 

St. John’s fired head coach Mike Anderson final week after 4 seasons and failing to get the Red Storm to the NCAA Tournament. 

“After absolutely evaluating the lads’s basketball program, our University has determined a change is required in each the management and route of St. John’s Basketball,” athletic director Mike Cragg mentioned in a press release, in keeping with ESPN. “We want Coach Mike Anderson and his household the very best of their future.”

Head coach Rick Pitino of the Iona Gaels seems on within the first half in opposition to the Connecticut Huskies through the first spherical of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at MVP Arena on March 17, 2023, in Albany, New York.  (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Pitino’s Gaels went 27-8 earlier than falling to UConn within the match and put collectively an awesome first-half effort in opposition to the Huskies. 

Iona took a 39-37 lead into halftime earlier than being outscored by 26 within the second half. 

“I assumed we had a legit probability of beating them going into the sport, however we got here out within the second half, they usually simply dominated us,” Pitino mentioned. “So they deserve all of the congratulations.”