National Coach Exposes Dad Rick Pitino’s Antics That Caused Him “PTSD” at Home

Basketball is all about resilience, but growing up under Rick Pitino meant learning that lesson the hard way. Every missed shot, every lazy play, every moment of weakness wasn’t just a mistake—it was a teaching moment, often delivered with the same fire and intensity as one of his legendary halftime speeches.

Now a national coach himself, Richard couldn’t help but recall those moments when he recently came across a fiery clip of his father delivering a passionate rant in the St. John’s locker room. With a mix of humor and nostalgia, he took to social media, writing, “PTSD of the time I didn’t make my bed.”

The video, originally posted by Vice Sports, captured Rick Pitino in his element—halftime of St. John’s game against Providence. Down big at the break, the Red Storm looked defeated, but Pitino wasn’t having it. His words weren’t just about basketball; they were a masterclass in mental toughness:

“Dig in and be a basketball player. Dig in. Every time you miss a shot, your game deflates. We don’t care about your missed shots. Play f— defense.” He didn’t stop there.

“You guys keep blowing opportunity upon opportunity upon opportunity. You’re like children with bad things happening. Instead of digging in to be tougher, you wilt. Where is your f— toughness? Where have you guys been raised that you’re so weak mentally that you just f— give up when something doesn’t go right for you? Don’t you know what adversity is all about?”

By the time the second half rolled around, Pitino’s words had done their job. St. John’s stormed back to win 72-70, flipping a 42-29 halftime deficit into a victory. It was classic Pitino—tough love, high expectations, and a relentless demand for more.

For Richard, watching the clip was like stepping into a time machine. Now in his 13th season as a national head coach, he’s still applying the lessons drilled into him as a kid. Of course, his father has had a 36-year head start, but their shared success speaks volumes about the Pitino legacy.

Rick Pitino’s fire-built champions—now his son carries the torch. but was it tough love or just tough to handle?

Despite Rick Pitino’s hard-edged approach, there’s no denying the deep bond between father and son. In a recent interview posted by SportsCenter, Richard reflected on his father’s career, saying, “It’s fun to watch your dad doing great things. You know, he’s not done yet, but to do this towards the end of his career, it’s a really special moment for all of us.”

Rick, in turn, expressed his pride—not just in his team, but in the man his son has become.

“You know, I just told my team tonight, I said, ‘I’m so proud of you. I don’t know how my team wins sometimes because the shooting percentage is so awful. Richard reminds me of that all the time. But for me, I would much rather be a proud father than a proud coach. I’m so proud of him.’”

And there’s plenty for both Pitinos to be proud of. Rick has turned St. John’s into a powerhouse, leading them to a 22-4 record, the top spot in the Big East, and a No. 10 ranking in the AP Poll. Along the way, they’ve taken down UConn, Creighton, and are now gearing up for a rematch with the Huskies on February 23.

For Richard, now leading New Mexico basketball, the lessons of his father’s fiery speeches and relentless expectations have shaped his own coaching career. He may joke about “PTSD” from his upbringing, but deep down, he knows that those moments—however intense—were what built him into the coach he is today.