Rick Pitino Sends Farewell Message to Team After NCAA Tournament Loss

The St. John's Red Storm fell 80–75 to the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Friday, officially ending their season and concluding head coach Rick Pitino's third year leading the program.

Pitino has made steady progress during his time in New York, reaching the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons, winning consecutive Big East regular-season and conference tournament titles, and advancing to the Sweet 16 after a second-round exit last year.

On Saturday morning, Pitino shared a farewell message on social media for this year's team, which will undergo significant roster turnover, most notably losing star forward Zuby Ejiofor, who has been with the program for all three of Pitino's seasons.

"It's not often you coach a group of young men who care so much for each other and gave me every ounce of perspiration they had in them. Loved every day I was with them," Pitino posted. "Thank you, men!!!"

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Fans echoed Pitino's sentiment, offering words of encouragement for St. John's season.

"Thanks for a GREAT season, Coach!" one fan wrote.

Another added, "Thank you, Coach. Congrats on a great season. Best to ever do it."

"This team was such a joy to watch and root for. An unsatisfying ending, but a tremendous season. Hard to express how great it feels to be forging great memories while also looking forward to a bright future as a Johnnies fan. Thank you, Coach," a fan said.

One fan wrote, "It was an absolute pleasure watching those young men compete this season. Wish them all nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

"Thank you, Coach, for all of your hard work molding this team. I wish you success in the portal and hope that by this time next year we are still playing," another fan added.

Pitino is expected to sign a restructured deal with St. John's in the coming days, a contract that will make him the second-highest paid coach in the Big East, according to NJ Advanced Media's Adam Zagoria.

The transfer portal opens on April 7, and Pitino is expected to be very active if he follows the approach he has taken in each of the last three offseasons.

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This story was originally published March 28, 2026 at 12:06 PM.