St. John’s Coach Rick Pitino Perfectly Described Story Behind Viral All-White Suit

The St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball coach certainly made a statement with his memorable look.

Rick Pitino made waves Sunday afternoon by debuting a new all-white suit to participate in the St. John’s fan “whiteout” for the Red Storm’s matchup against Big East foe Creighton.

It certainly caught the eye of all 12,061 fans at Madison Square Garden—and plenty more on social media.

Pitino is in his white suit. This game is about to be good #sjubb pic.twitter.com/Fzrdnb3Pkg

— Sara Kiernan (@SaraKiernan13) February 25, 2024

After the game, Pitino told the story behind his new look.

The 71-year-old Hall of Fame coach walked from his apartment to a nearby Armani store on Saturday to buy a new white suit and join the Red Storm fans in the planned whiteout. His wife, Joanne, had urged him to purchase a new white suit.

“I couldn’t fit in the old white suit,” Pitino said with a smile Sunday, referring to the outfit he famously wore previously at Louisville, per college basketball reporter John Fanta.

Until 2 o’clock yesterday, Rick Pitino was planning on wearing one of his traditional suits. But his wife Joanne kept pushing him for a white one. Here’s the story of how Pitino got a deal done with a tailor who was about to be off the clock: pic.twitter.com/iOoeKJnivu

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) February 25, 2024

Well, his new look worked. The Red Storm outscored Creighton by 13 points in the first half and hung on for an 80–66 win, taking down a Bluejays team just days removed from upsetting No. 1 UConn at home.

College basketball fans are clamoring for Pitino to keep his all-white look rolling:

Rick Pitino should wear his white suit the rest of the season since St. John’s beat Creighton today. https://t.co/3Osi8HG8kP

— Nate Weiser (@nweiser09) February 25, 2024

I think Rick Pitino should keep wearing the white suit.😂#CBB https://t.co/xJRAdUf3fH

— Jeffrey @ Only Talk Sports (@OnlyTalkSports) February 25, 2024

This is what basketball is all about https://t.co/XvFEB7v4LO

— morrisoncrying (@morrisoncrying) February 25, 2024

No way St. John’s was losing today. https://t.co/9Sn09OZK15

— Brendan Connelly (@BConnellysports) February 25, 2024

St. John’s improved to 16–12 overall and 8–9 in Big East play with Sunday’s win over Creighton (20–8, 11–6). The Red Storm return to the court Wednesday at Butler (16–12, 7–10) for an 8:30 p.m. ET tipoff.