Rick Pitino, an American basketball coach, has built a net worth of $45 million and currently earns $7.7 million per celebritynetworth.
Throughout his career, Pitino has been the head coach for various NCAA Division I and NBA teams, including the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, the New York Knicks, and the Boston Celtics.
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Coaching Career
Rick Pitino began his career in coaching as a graduate of the University of Hawaii in 1974, and the following year, he became a full-time assistant.
He served as Hawaii’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 1975-1976 season. Pitino moved on to Syracuse University, where he was Jim Boeheim’s first assistant coach.
In 1978, he landed his first head coaching job at Boston University, where he led the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 24 years.
After his stint at Boston University, Pitino left for the NBA, where he worked as an assistant coach for the NY Knicks under coach Hubie Brown.
He returned to the college ranks in 1985 as head coach at Providence College, where he led the team to the Final Four.
He then became head coach of the New York Knicks in 1987 and helped them win their first division title in nearly two decades. In 1989, he left the Knicks to take over as head coach of the University of Kentucky.
At Kentucky, Pitino implemented his signature style of full-court pressure defense and found great success.
He led the team to the 1993 NCAA tournament and won the national title in the 1996 NCAA tournament.
He then returned to the NBA to coach the Boston Celtics from 1997 to 2001, where he struggled to find success.
Pitino returned to the college ranks in 2001 as head of the University of Louisville, where he remained until 2017.
During his tenure at Louisville, Pitino led the team to their first Final Four appearance in 19 years and became the first coach in NCAA history to lead 3 different schools to the Final 4. However, the 2013 NCAA National Championship was later vacated due to a scandal.
Pitino made his debut in the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos in 2018, where he stayed until 2020, when he was titled the head coach of Iona College.
He has also performed as the head coach of the Puerto Rico national team and Greece’s senior national team.
$40 Million Louisville Lawsuit
Following the FBI probe into college basketball corruption, Rick Pitino was placed on indefinite leave from his coaching position at Louisville on September 27, 2017.
Had he been terminated for cause, he would have lost up to $55 million in future contract compensation.
Consequently, Pitino filed a lawsuit against the university, requesting only the $38.7 million base salary that remained on his contract.
Two years later, the dispute was resolved through a settlement in which Louisville did not provide Pitino with any additional funds but instead agreed to alter the classification of his departure from termination to resignation.
Rick Pitino House
Let’s look at some luxurious mansions owned by the wealthiest coach.
Miami Mansion
In November of 2017, Pitino put his 12,000-square-foot mansion in Miami on the market for $29 million. The following month, he reduced the asking price to $26 million. He originally bought the property in 1999 for $5.4 million. In April 2020, he sold the estate for $17 million.
Florida
Following the sale of his Miami mansion, the coach turned his attention to another property in Florida.
In 2018, Pitino purchased a residence in Florida for $1.38 million. Two years later, he may make a modest profit as he lists the waterfront home in Fort Lauderdale for $1.55 million.
The listing comes not long after Iona College hired the coach to lead their basketball program in New Rochelle, NY.
Rick Pitino Cars
Pitino’s immense wealth appears to be rapidly increasing, as evidenced by his impressive car collection. The coach frequently posts photos of his garage, showcasing a stunning array of luxurious vehicles.
One of his current rides is a Lexus, which carries a price tag comparable to a mansion. Lexus automobiles are sold in over 70 countries and territories across the globe. Pitino reportedly shelled out $450,000 for this car, a true beast on the road.
Rick Pitino Deserves A Comeback: Programs Should Hire Him
Rick Pitino, former coach of the Iona Gaels, is ready to return to the big time, and St. John’s may be his best option.
Pitino is a proven winner, having won over 40 of 49 conference games during his three seasons with Iona.
His teams are known for their pressing and fast pace. While his past scandals may be a concern, there is no doubt hiring Pitino will result in success.
Many schools that need a good coach, such as Georgetown, are reportedly not interested in him, which could prove a mistake.
Someone will leap and bring Pitino back to the big stage, which could lead to a national championship.