Dan Dakich Discusses Rick Pitino’s Potential Historic Achievement
If St. John’s Wins the Championship …
Rick Pitino: The Greatest of All Time!

Published March 22, 2025 12:50 AM PDT

If St. John’s secures the championship title in San Antonio next month, it would be time to recognize Rick Pitino as the greatest coach of all time, according to Dan Dakich. Dakich believes that a victory for the Red Storm this year would establish Pitino’s legacy as unparalleled in the world of college basketball, elevating him above all other coaches in the sport’s history.

During his recent interview with TMZ Sports, Dakich was emphatic, stating that if Pitino achieves the remarkable feat of winning a championship with three different programs, he would immediately be recognized as one of the all-time greats. This would not only solidify his career but also set a benchmark for future coaches striving for greatness in college basketball.

“Winning championships at three different schools?” Dakich questioned rhetorically. “That would make him the greatest coach in the history of college basketball.” Pitino’s journey through the sport is marked by his significant achievements, and another title would further cement his status as a coaching legend.

Rick Pitino’s first national title came in 1996 when he expertly guided Kentucky to victory against Syracuse. His second championship arrived in 2013, when he brilliantly led Louisville to a win over Michigan. These triumphs have already made him a formidable figure in NCAA history, but achieving a third title with a different program would elevate his legacy even further.

Pitino stands out as the only coach to have won a national championship at two different schools, and Dakich emphasized that if he adds yet another ring at St. John’s, both Mike Krzyzewski and John Wooden will need to make room for him among the greatest coaches of all time. This potential achievement would undoubtedly spark debates on the hierarchy of coaching legends in college basketball.

However, the path to glory is fraught with challenges. Pitino faces a tough matchup against John Calipari and Arkansas this Saturday. Should St. John’s triumph in that match, they may face the top-seeded Florida in the next round. The road is long and difficult, but the potential reward is monumental.

If Pitino manages to navigate these challenges and ultimately lifts the championship trophy at the conclusion of this prestigious tournament, Dakich suggests that it may be time to crown him as the undisputed king of college basketball coaching. The anticipation for such an outcome creates excitement among fans and analysts alike.

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