Rick Pitino, the head coach of the St. John’s Red Storm, made a memorable appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” recently, showcasing not only his coaching skills but also his sense of humor. This visit came just as his team secured its first outright Big East regular-season title in 40 years, a significant achievement in the program’s history.
During the show, which aired on NBC, Pitino shared anecdotes about his long coaching career, which he humorously claimed spans 50 years, jokingly adding that he is “actually 101.” The audience responded with laughter, enjoying his light-hearted take on his extensive experience in basketball.
One of the standout moments from his interview was when he recounted a surprising story about sneaking away on his wedding night to interview for a coaching job with the legendary Jim Boeheim at Syracuse. He confirmed the authenticity of this story and humorously revealed the “bad news” he had to share with his wife: that the job was in upstate New York and that he would start the next day, cutting their honeymoon in Hawaii short.
While Pitino was the main guest, his players participated in a fun pre-recorded sketch, where they sang a sea shanty alongside him, all while he donned his signature white suit. This creative segment added a unique flair to the show and highlighted the camaraderie between Pitino and his team.
As Pitino continues his second season with St. John’s, the team is riding high on a historic run, having achieved a program record of 17 Big East wins. This success has raised expectations as they prepare for the upcoming Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament later this month. Pitino acknowledged the pressure but also the potential of his team, stating they could either exit early in the tournament or make a deep run, even to the Final Four.
Fallon even extended an invitation for Pitino to return to the show if he wins March Madness, to which Pitino agreed, though he noted that some players were currently injured. The episode aired at 11:35 p.m. ET and is available for streaming on Peacock.
Pitino’s blend of humor and insight into his team’s journey made for an engaging segment, reflecting both his personality and the excitement surrounding St. John’s basketball this season.