For over a decade, Rick Pitino has been a towering figure in college basketball, with a career that includes two NCAA championships and a legacy that few can match. But while Rick was busy building his Hall of Fame resume, another story was quietly unfolding, one that belongs to his son, Richard Pitino. When Rick was pacing the sidelines at Louisville or Kentucky, Richard was often nearby, soaking in the game from a unique perspective. For Richard, the name on his jersey wasn’t just a reminder of his father’s success, it was a challenge to crave his own path in the world of basketball.

”I’ve always admired my dad, but I knew I had to find my own way,” Richard once said. Instead of being overwhelmed by the weight of expectations, Richard embraced the game on his own terms. He didn’t just want to be ”Rick’s son,” he wanted to be Richard Pitino, the coach.

From the Shadow of a Legend to Finding His Own Voice

Growing up in a basketball-centric household, Richard Pitino was destined to fall in love with the game. Born on September 16, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts, he spent his childhood watching his father go from a budding coach in Providence to crafting winning teams at Kentucky and Louisville. But it is the former where his memories dwell sweeter– Rick had found his footing leading the struggling program to Final Four. So years later, he’d be back at Providence once again. This time, as a student with dreams to make it as a head coach one day.

Most know Richard’s career began as a student manager under Tim Welsh when he was pursuing a degree in 2005. But the efforts ran deep.

The third one of the Pitino kids started out at St. Andrew’s, the prep school, with all the grunt work. “He swept the floor. He rode the bus. He broke down film. For two years he did all the things no one else wanted to do.” That’s how then coach Mike Hart described Richard’s dedication.

From there, he worked his way up, taking on assistant coaching roles at Northeastern, Duquesene, and the College of Charleston. But it was his time under Billy Donovan at Florida and his father at Louisville that truly shaped his coaching philosophy.

”I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best,” Richard said. “And if there’s no question that my father’s name opened a lot of doors along the way, once you’re in those doors it’s all on you,” he added another time. And he lived up to it.

Richard’s first head coaching opportunity came in 2012 at Florida International University (FIU), where he took over a struggling program. In just one season, he led the Panthers to an 18-14 record, their first winning season in 12 years. This early success caught the attention of Minnesota, where he was hired in 2013.

Over eight seasons with the Golden Gophers, Richard led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT Championship in 2014. Despite the ups and downs, he left Minnesota with 141-123 record, providing he could compete at the highest level.

Revitalizing New Mexico: A Program Reborn

When Richard Pitino took over as the head coach of the University of New Mexico in 2021, he inherited a program in disarray. The Lobos hadn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2014 and had struggled to find consistency in the years since. The challenges were immense.

The team hadn’t played a single home game in the season before his arrival due to the pandemic, practicing in makeshift gyms and hotels while finishing the season with just six scholarship players.

But Richard was undeterred. ”The magic has happened here before, and we want to bring that magic back again,” he said during his introductory press conference. His first season saw a seven-win improvement, and by his third year, the Lobos were back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade, winning the Mountain West Championship and finishing with a 26-10 record.

Richard’s success at New Mexico hasn’t just been about wins and losses. It’s been about building a culture. ”If you want to build a great culture, to me, it’s all about the people that you hire and the players you recruit,” he said. ”So I work very, very hard on that part of it.” His approach has resonated with the players, who have thrived under his leadership.

Junior guard Donovan Dent, one of the team’s key returners, emerged as a star, averaging 29.6 points and 6.5 assists per game. ”The biggest thing about Coach Pitino is the trust that he has in his players,” said senior guard CJ Noland. ”You always want to play for a coach that has confidence in you.”

A Legacy in the Making: Richard Pitino’s Future

Richard Pitino’s connection to his father remains strong, even as he continues to carve out his own legacy. The two have faced each other as coaches four times, with Rick holding a 3-1 advantage in their personal rivalry. After one of those wins, Rick would call his son, a great young coach. But for Richard, it’s not about competing with his father, it’s about honoring the lessons he’s learned while staying true to himself.

”I would say Coach K and my dad are the to best coaches to ever coach the game,” Richard said. ”But I can’t live my life that way mentally. I just have to be me.”

As Richard enters his fourth season at New Mexico, the future looks bright. The Lobos are poised to compete for another Mountain West title, and Richard’s leadership has the program on solid footing.

For Richard Pitino, it’s always been about winning, not just for himself, but for the players, the fans and the program he’s worked so hard to rebuild. And as he continues to write his story, one thing is clear: Richard Pitino is no longer just Rick’s son. He’s rising star in his own right, and his journey is far from over.