The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon never fails to deliver entertaining and captivating moments, and a recent interview with legendary coach Rick Pitino was no exception. Pitino, who recently led St. John’s to their first outright Big East title in 40 years, sat down with Fallon to discuss his coaching career and share some remarkable anecdotes.
As Fallon kicked off the interview, he couldn’t help but acknowledge Pitino’s impressive accomplishment. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, recognizing the magnitude of the victory. Pitino, who has coached all over the world, explained why winning in New York felt different. He revealed that he had coached the Knicks in his 30s and even had the opportunity to face off against the legendary Lou Carnesecca when he was named the Providence coach.
At 72 years old, Pitino’s coaching journey started over 50 years ago. Fallon applauded his longevity and inquired about his early days as a player. Pitino fondly reminisced about his time playing for UMass in 1972, alongside Al Skinner and the legendary Julius Erving, also known as Doctor J. They had chosen UMass with the intention of being teammates with Erving, but their plans took an unexpected turn when the ABA was formed, and Erving left for the professional league.
Curiosity piqued, Fallon delved into a fascinating story that had circulated regarding Pitino’s wedding night. It turns out that Pitino had received a call from Jim Boeheim, a well-known figure in the basketball world, who had just been named the coach at Syracuse University. Without a job at the time, Pitino made the choice to leave his wife for an hour to interview for the Syracuse coaching position. He assured his wife, who was half-Italian and half-Irish, that he would be right back. However, the interview took longer than expected, and Pitino had his wife open their wedding envelopes as a temporary distraction. To their surprise, they discovered the “fun ticket” inside – a $100 bill that Italians traditionally gift. Pitino finally returned to his wife, exclaiming, “Honey, just open the envelopes, and I’ll be right up.” He joyfully announced that he had landed the job, albeit at the cost of their honeymoon.
Throughout the interview, Pitino’s charisma and humor shone through. He shared his experiences coaching alongside Jim Boeheim, but humorously mentioned that his wife left him a year later. Nevertheless, his dedication to coaching remained unwavering, and he has been married for an impressive 47 or 48 years (he wasn’t quite certain). The audience erupted in cheers, acknowledging the strength of their long-lasting relationship.
Pitino also discussed his recent venture into reality television with the show “Pitino: Red Storm Rising” on Vice TV. The show follows his coaching journey at St. John’s, and Pitino expressed his gratitude to Vice TV for their support. He explained that in the modern era of professional athletes, the show allowed the program to gain exposure and financial support through the NIL (name, image, likeness) arrangement.
To give the audience a taste of the show, Fallon played a clip from the first episode. In the clip, Pitino delivers an impassioned halftime speech, encouraging his team to dig in and embrace adversity. The fiery speech quickly went viral, with Pitino’s passionate delivery resonating with viewers. However, to the surprise of many, Pitino revealed that despite the powerful message, his team actually won the game, defying the odds and completing a remarkable comeback.
As the interview wrapped up, Fallon commended Pitino on his coaching prowess and wished him continued success. The segment ended on a high note, with Fallon promising an exciting performance from Julia Michaels and Maren Morris to follow.
Make sure to catch “Pitino: Red Storm Rising” on Vice TV to witness the captivating behind-the-scenes moments of Pitino’s coaching journey. Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. are the perfect time to immerse yourself in the world of basketball and witness Pitino’s infectious energy firsthand.
