Pitino previously occupied the spot that Tom Thibodeau was forced to vacate on Tuesday, serving as the Knicks' head coach for two seasons (1987-89) and amassing a 90-74 record.

He returned to become the team's head coach for two more seasons (1987-88 and 1988-89) later that decade. It was during his time with the Knicks that Pitino got his start in the equine industry.

Pitino hopes to land that prize recruit, a sharpshooter named Ian Jackson. But Musselman is also in the picture. Jackson flattered those coaches by scheduling visits to their campuses.

FILE - This combo of filer photos show from left, St. John's coach Rick Pitino, left, and Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, the The Associated Press coaches of the year in men's college basketball.

FILE - This combo of filer photos show from left, St. John's coach Rick Pitino, left, and Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, the The Associated Press coaches of the year in men's college basketball.

Pitino's message included shoutouts to both Kelsey and Cards fans. To the coach, he said: "Very few have been fortunate enough to coach at the University of Louisville, and you're one of the few now.

Left: St. John's head coach Rick Pitino during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stony Brook, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ...

Rick Pitino. John Calipari. Two legendary college basketball coaches and Kentucky national champions will face off Saturday for a spot in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Pitino, who's in ...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rick Pitino and John Calipari. Gucci loafers vs. sneakers. The native New Yorker back in his hometown against a quintessential carpetbagger making yet another stop on the ...

In Part 1 of "Postcards of Pitino," FOX Sports spoke with five of Pitino's former players during his early years coaching at Syracuse, Boston University and Providence College.

Marisa Mazzuca of New Jersey, who’s dad went to St. John’s, takes a photo with Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino, whose team is the No. 2 seed in the NCAA West Regional.