Rick Pitino Declares 'Absolutely Not' To Knicks Return Following Thibodeau's Departure

Rick Pitino, the coach of St. John's, has dismissed any speculation about returning to the New York Knicks after Tom Thibodeau's exit. Despite Thibodeau leading the team to their first Eastern Conference finals in 25 years, he parted ways with the Knicks on Tuesday. Their playoff journey ended with a 4-2 series defeat to the Indiana Pacers, having lost the initial two games.

Pitino previously coached the Knicks from 1987 to 1989, achieving two playoff appearances and a 90-74 record. He earned national and Big East Coach of the Year accolades during his second season at St. John's. However, Pitino has expressed no interest in rejoining his former NBA team.

When asked about a potential return to the Knicks, Pitino firmly stated, "Absolutely not." He added that any new coach would face immense pressure to reach the Finals, suggesting that anything less would be seen as a failure. This pressure stems from the team's long-standing ambition to elevate their performance.

Thibodeau joined the Knicks in 2020 and led them to four playoff appearances over five seasons. His tenure concluded with a 226-174 record, placing him fourth in franchise history for total wins as head coach. Despite these achievements, the Knicks have not reached the NBA Finals since 1999.

The last time the Knicks secured an NBA championship was in 1973. This long drought adds further pressure on whoever takes over as head coach next. The expectations are high for any new leader to break this cycle and bring success back to New York.

Pitino's decision not to pursue a return highlights his contentment with his current role at St. John's and his reluctance to step into a high-pressure situation with his former team.