Musketeer Madness

Jon Rothstein. says X is hiring Richard Pitino

Wow. Good for X. Hope he gets a decent chance.

Pitinos resume

I wanted Mack, but am happy with this too, especially if he can convince his PG Dent to come. He was a little better than average during his 8 (?) yr run at Minnesota, by no one has won there since the program had a lot of academic infractions with Clem Haskins.

He was 88-49 at New Mexico, going to the Tourney the last two years, losing key transfers, including JT Toppin and another contributor from last year's team, but still gave MSU all they could handle in the round of 32. He inherited a New Mexico program coached by Paul Weir, who was 58-63, and 6-16 in 20-21 (Covid year). He won more games each of each four years, with an 88-48 record overall, and MW Coach of the Year in 24-25.'

He apparently blew Christopher away. I think with great success, he'll take over St. John's for his dad, but I don't care. Winning programs bring in winning coaches, regardless of the risk.

It would be nice to bring Dent with him. Hope he can recruit. I don't care when he leaves. I think it's a good hire for x

the news out of X is that Christopher never considered Mack for a lot of reasons. Some of the big donors are shocked at the hire. Now will they come in line because Mack was not hired.

The offer must have been good because he was on the short list for Nova & West VA. Nova fans are godsmacked on X - Twitter. Someone reported today that he was going to be hired there.

3 of New Mexico's top 4 have eligibility. I want Dent and their 6'10" center. He was impressive during the Tourney. Dent will be tough. He will be a top 5 transfer.

muskieman wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 25, 2025 10:41 pm

the news out of X is that Christopher never considered Mack for a lot of reasons. Some of the big donors are shocked at the hire. Now will they come in line because Mack was not hired.

Like all teams, X leaked Mack's name to get a pulse since he was being fast-tracked. I heard it was his to lose. However, I don't think he lost it, but think Pitino won it. Again, Pitino supposedly wowed Christopher. Mman, you know as well as anyone there were advocates-detractors for both guys and I'm sure Christopher took the big donor's input into great consideration, as all ADs would.

Again, Pitino had it rolling at New Mexico and was being courted by at least two hire majors, including one who has won the NC in 2 of the last 8 years. I don't think he would come to X if he didn't feel the infrastructure, including NIL was in place to be successful. Picking X over Nova speaks volumes, especially when you consider that they have one of the highest NIL budgets outside of the top 15 and were becoming a Blue Blood until Wright retired.

Kevin Reilly wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 25, 2025 10:39 pm

It would be nice to bring Dent with him. Hope he can recruit. I don't care when he leaves. I think it's a good hire for x

Agreed.

Anti-Homer wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 25, 2025 10:43 pm

The offer must have been good because he was on the short list for Nova & West VA. Nova fans are godsmacked on X - Twitter. Someone reported today that he was going to be hired there.

3 of New Mexico's top 4 have eligibility. I want Dent and their 6'10" center. He was impressive during the Tourney. Dent will be tough. He will be a top 5 transfer.

Nova was pursuing Willard, never extended an offer to Pitino, but it looks like the new AD at Maryland has had talks with Willard and he may (or may not) stay

Richard Pitino -> Xavier home run 42 8 years at Big Ten school...New Mexico finished first after being picked 8 in their league.
Phil Martelli Jr. -> VCU
Fran McCaffery -> Penn

This hire will make the St Johns vs Xavier the marquee games next year and FOX will highlight the games. If Dent comes to X will get more players and the NCAA doesn't appear to be lost for next year.