Rick Pitino addresses coaching future, college basketball landscape: 'I wish it wasn't this way'

Rick Pitino is currently wrapping up his 36th season as a collegiate head coach in his first with St. John’s. He could have several more to go, though, depending on how where his joy is, especially considering where college sports are and are heading.

Pitino addressed the future and final years of his career during an interview on ‘Pardon My Take’ on Monday. He said that, in regards to him personally, there’s nothing about his body or spirit that would keep him from going on for the next few seasons.

“Well, as I said earlier – I always said this. I’m going to coach until I’m not having fun,” said Pitino.

“I’m in good shape, mentally and physically. I love the game,” Pitino said.

With that said, Pitino said the trajectory of the sport on their level is what will be his challenge.

Name, image, and likeness along with the transfer portal are aspects that have tested the patience of a few coaches over the last few years. However, since it’s the way of things now, Pitino is doing what he can to learn to adjust to it, even if he disagrees with it completely.

“I did make a statement that I wasn’t having fun. But it has nothing to do with what’s being played on the court between the lines. It has been a tough year, really tough year being part of this, what’s happening in college basketball. So I’ve got to get my mind right with this,” said Pitino. “I’m very lucky that I have some boosters that are willing to step up.”

“I wish it wasn’t this way anymore but it is this way and I’ve got to live with it,” Pitino said. “This free agency every single year now? Just a year ago, I was told that, if you get a transfer, he can’t transfer again. So I said, ‘Okay, let’s go after transfers’. So we have them and we can build them, nurture them, and make them good basketball players. Now, all of a sudden, that’s out. Midway through this year, that’s out. There’s going to come a time where someone is going to transfer in December and he’s going to be able to play right away because he’s going to take it to court. So, I don’t like it but I have to live with it.”

It seems like neither Pitino nor these facets are going anywhere anytime soon. That means both, much like other coaches, are going to have to learn to accept it in some sense.

Then, if he can do that and manage to keep his happiness where he wants it to be, Pitino will still remain on the sidelines for the next couple years to come.

“I think I’m going to coach as long as I can be happy,” said Pitino. “I don’t think it’s a matter of age. Just be happy.”