Energized Rick Pitino is locked in and doesnt appear ready to stop coaching soon

Nobody really knows how much longer Rick Pitino will coach. Even himself, at the age of 72. The Hall of Fame coach has said as long as he has his health, he doesn’t plan to stop.His new athletic director, Ed Kull, has seen that passion up close. “His enthusiasm, his passion, is as high as ever.

His energy level is remarkable and it’s contagious, in terms of what it means not only for the players, for the staff and our administrators and our supporters,” Kull said over Zoom this week.“He’s as focused as I can imagine him being, and his energy is so incredible in terms of his attention to detail.

We talk about the practice facility, we talk a lot about seating in the arena, we talk a lot about what other schools have when we’re on the road, different things and initiatives they have or bells and whistles they’ve added to their campus or facility.” He doesn’t seem to have lost anything off his fastball.Pitino has St.

John’s off to its best start, at 16-3 overall, since the 1998-99 season.The Johnnies entered Wednesday night’s meeting with Xavier at the Garden all alone atop the Big East, having won seven of their eight league games.

Returning players, RJ Luis and Zuby Ejiofor, have taken major leaps under Pitino’s leadership and transfers Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall), Aaron Scott (North Texas) and Deivon Smith (Utah) have made a significant impact. “He’s as locked in, as focused, as I could ask for,” Kull said.“He talks a lot about being here for a while and seeing the projects, whether that be the practice facility or renovations for the arena, through.

I have the utmost [confidence] he’s going to go as long as he wants.He’s in tremendous condition.” The two haven’t discussed Pitino’s contract, which has three years remaining on it after this season.

But Pitino doesn’t talk like someone with an end date in mind.CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST.

JOHN’S STATSHe regularly speaks about bringing St....