There is a rich history of St. John’s University basketball coaches. The coaches of John at the University basketball have been central in influencing this legacy. It is the historical landmarks of great coaches. They shaped the program. They have built a basketball powerhouse in New York City. Since the early times until the present age, the Red Storm has been characterized by leadership on the sidelines. It is a trip full of national titles, players in the Hall of Fame, and the uncompromising attachment to the heart of the college game.
The history of coaches in the program is a roster of basketball geniuses. These leaders created a culture of hardness, prowess, and triumph. They explored the shifting environment of college sports. They were able to maintain St. John in the national discourse. The new chapter is currently being written. Rick Pitino, a Hall of Famer, has replaced him. He is a new source of hope and high expectations. We will also delve into the history of basketball coaches of St. John’s University and those who were legendary, and the present-day staff that is molding the future.
The Foundation: Lapchick and Carnesecca.
Two legendary personalities shaped the personality of the basketball player of St. John. Coaching royalty is represented by Joe Lapchick and Lou Carnesecca. Their influence goes much further than victories and defeats. They created a culture. They also left St. John associated with basketball in New York City.
Joe Lapchick: The Pioneer
Joe Lapchick was an overpowering figure. He also coached in two seasons (1936-47, 1956-65). His teams were characterized by strict play. They were always present in the postseason. Lapchick steered the Redmen to four National Invitation Tournaments (NIT) titles. The NIT was the best college basketball competition in his time. The fact that he used the NIT pointed to its status in the day. Lapchick’s teams were tough. They were very well grounded. He had a record of 334-130 at the university. Everything that came after was based on his success. He made St. John’s a national program.
Lou Carnesecca: The Icon
Lou Carnesecca is possibly the most popular person in the history of St. John. His charismatic character was renowned. His sweaters were famous for their color. The program was in a golden age under the leadership of Carnesecca, who served as coach (19651970, 19731992). He took St. John’s to postseason during all 24 years of his leadership. His teams were regulars in the NCAA Tournament. The 1985 team stands out. That team headed to the Final Four under the leadership of Chris Mullin. Carneseaca was the National Coach of the Year twice. He was a 3-time winner of the Big East Coach of the Year award. He completed his career with 526 wins at St. John’s. On on-campus arena, Carneseoka Arena, is now named after him. It is an appropriate honor for his great contribution.
Navigating the Modern Era
The post-Carnesecca retirement years were associated with times of good and bad. The show possessed several coaches who attempted to revive such regular glory. Frank McGuire was a successful leader between 1947 and 1952. He took the team to the NCAA final in the year 1952. It was the inaugural Final Four appearance of this program. His winning by 102-36 is a testimony to his performance.
Mike Jarvis coached from 1998 to 2003. He took the Red Storm to the Elite Eight in the year 1999. Ron Artest was a star player on that team. In 2000, Jarvis also led the team to a championship in the Big East Tournament. He introduced dynamism to the show.
There were moments with other coaches, such as Steve Lavin and Chris Mullin. Lavin took the team to two NCAA Tournaments. Mullin, a legend in the programs as a player, came back to coach between 2015 and 2019. His last season saw him lead the team to an NCAA Tournament. Every coach left his chapter on the complicated history of the school. They did this to maintain their high standards as their predecessors did.
The Rick Pitino Era: A New Dawn
St. John’s in March 2023 made a historic hire. Rick Pitino was hired as the 22 nd coach at the university. Pitino is a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. He is a coach who has the greatest number of awards in the history of the sport. He was a significant change to the program. It attracted national publicity and high expectations in no time.
The resume of Pitino is incomparable. He is the coach to win the NCAA Championship at two schools (Kentucky and Louisville). However, he has made 3 programs to reach the Final Four. He has an incredible career record of 885-311. His teams are characterized by defensive pressure, speedy offense, and aggressive intensity.
His impact was immediate. Pitino is in his second season (2024-25), and he has already created a 31-5 record with the Red Storm. This was a record for the program in terms of wins. The group captured the outright title of the regular season of the Big East. They also won the Big East Tournament title. This was their first since 2000. St. John had earned a No. 2 in the NCAA Tournament. They won their inaugural tournament in more than 20 years. Pitino won the Coach of the Month of the Big East. He also swept the Great National Coach of the Year awards.
The Current Coaching Staff
Pitino has created a powerful staff. These coaches are full of experience. They play a very critical role in the revival of the program.
- Steve Masiello (Associate Head Coach): Masiello is a long-time friend of Pitino. He played for him at Kentucky. At Louisville, he had him as an assistant. He is also a former head coach, successful in his tenure at Manhattan College.
- Bob Walsh (Assistant Coach): Walsh is an experienced coach. He has coaching experience at the University of Maine and Rhode Island College as a head coach. His familiarity with the game is a big strength.
- Taliek Brown (Assistant Coach): Brown is an excellent player at UConn. He played with a national championship team. He has played at the top level, and his experience in this area can be extremely valuable to the present team.
They are concerned with the development of players, game-planning, and aggressive recruiting. Thus, they like the vision of Pitino for the program.
Conclusion
The decision to hire Rick Pitino was not an ordinary change of coaches. It was a statement of intent. St. John can no longer be satisfied with being relevant. The university is desiring the highest in college basketball. The instant success of Pitino is not accidental. It has become the work of a genius tactician healing a program with a glorious but slumbering past.
The future of St. John’s basketball has no more to do with the glory of the Carnesecca years. It is concerning the construction of a new identity. His demanding style is what forms this identity. It is laced with the grit and panache of New York City. The show has become a haven for the best talents. The team hosts its largest games at Madison Square Garden, the most famous arena in the world. This legendary coach, great site, and corporate investment make an awesome formula. St. John’s is not just back.
