Auburn’s Pearl and St. John’s’ Pitino share AP coach of the year honors, 1st tie in history of award
In a remarkable and unprecedented turn of events, the Associated Press (AP) College Basketball Coach of the Year award has been split for the first time in its history. Bruce Pearl, the head coach of Auburn University, and Rick Pitino, the legendary coach at St. John’s University, have both been named co-recipients of the prestigious honor. This historic tie not only signifies the exceptional performances of both coaches during the 2024-2025 college basketball season but also reflects the changing landscape of college basketball itself.
The AP Coach of the Year Award: A Storied Tradition
The AP Coach of the Year award has been a symbol of excellence in college basketball coaching since its inception in 1969. Each year, the award is given to the coach who has had the most significant impact on their team and program, whether through overcoming adversity, guiding a team to an unexpected level of success, or inspiring players to perform beyond expectations. The winner is typically selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who closely follow college basketball throughout the season.
In the past, the award has often been dominated by coaches who have led their teams to championship-caliber performances or elevated historically underachieving programs to national prominence. Legendary figures such as Mike Krzyzewski, Bill Self, Roy Williams, and John Calipari have all earned the distinction multiple times, cementing their legacies as icons in the sport.
However, 2025 marked the first time in the award’s history that two coaches, from entirely different basketball programs and conferences, were named co-coaches of the year. This development is a testament to the significant and unique accomplishments of both Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino.
Bruce Pearl: Transforming Auburn’s Basketball Program
Bruce Pearl has been at the helm of Auburn basketball since 2014, and his impact on the program has been nothing short of transformative. Before his arrival, Auburn was a program mired in mediocrity, struggling to keep up in the competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). Pearl’s arrival changed the trajectory of Auburn basketball, as he instilled a culture of excellence, discipline, and high expectations. Under his leadership, the Tigers quickly rose to prominence, culminating in a Final Four appearance in 2019 and becoming a perennial contender in the SEC.
However, the 2024-2025 season was a true testament to Pearl’s coaching acumen and his ability to adapt and overcome challenges. Despite facing significant injuries to key players and dealing with roster turnover, Pearl led Auburn to a remarkable season. The Tigers finished the year with an impressive 28-5 record, securing a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The adversity faced by Auburn, particularly due to injuries to some of its star players, did not deter Pearl. His ability to adjust his coaching strategy, utilize his depth effectively, and continue to compete at the highest level in the SEC earned him widespread recognition. His teams were known for their relentless defense, high-tempo offense, and unselfish ball movement, all of which were on full display during the 2024-2025 season.
One of Pearl’s key strengths as a coach is his ability to develop talent. This season, several Auburn players had breakout performances, including standout guard Allen Flanigan and forward Johni Broome. Pearl’s ability to get the best out of his players, both individually and as a collective unit, was instrumental in Auburn’s success.
Auburn’s success under Pearl was not just about winning games but also about building a culture. The Tigers became a symbol of resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering belief in the coaching staff’s vision. For many, Auburn’s rise in college basketball under Pearl was nothing short of a fairy tale, and his recognition as co-Coach of the Year is a fitting tribute to his leadership.
Rick Pitino: The Rebirth of St. John’s Basketball
Rick Pitino’s coaching career is one of the most storied in college basketball history. With national championships at Louisville and Kentucky, and a reputation for turning struggling programs into perennial contenders, Pitino’s career has been defined by success at the highest levels. After a tumultuous departure from Louisville, Pitino returned to the college basketball spotlight in 2020 when he took over the reins at St. John’s University, a program that had struggled for much of the past several decades.
The 2024-2025 season marked a defining moment in Pitino’s tenure at St. John’s. The Red Storm, who had long been considered a sleeping giant in college basketball, experienced a renaissance under Pitino’s leadership. St. John’s finished the season with a 26-7 record, securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament and capturing the attention of college basketball fans across the nation.
Pitino’s coaching philosophy is built around defense, discipline, and a fast-paced, up-tempo style of play. In his first few seasons at St. John’s, he instilled a sense of pride and purpose within the program, focusing on recruiting players who embodied his vision. In 2024-2025, the Red Storm’s defense was one of the toughest in the nation, and their offense, though sometimes inconsistent, was electrifying at its best.
Perhaps Pitino’s greatest achievement in the 2024-2025 season was his ability to mold a diverse roster into a cohesive unit. Players who had previously struggled to find their identity under other coaches thrived in Pitino’s system. Star guard Posh Alexander emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the Big East, while big men like Joel Soriano and David Jones played key roles in both ends of the floor.
Pitino’s impact on St. John’s was not just on the court. Off the court, he revitalized the program’s recruiting efforts, attracting top-tier talent from across the nation and even overseas. The St. John’s program became a hotbed for high-level recruits, as Pitino’s reputation as one of the greatest coaches of all time drew attention from players who wanted to learn from a master of the craft.
Much like Pearl, Pitino’s coaching success wasn’t just about winning games; it was about changing the culture of the program. Under his leadership, St. John’s went from an afterthought in the Big East to a legitimate contender, with their 2024-2025 season serving as a statement that the Red Storm were back.
The Historic Tie: A Sign of a Changing Landscape in College Basketball
The co-recognition of Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino is not just about their individual successes; it is also a reflection of the changing landscape of college basketball. In recent years, the NCAA Tournament has seen an increase in parity, with mid-major programs and underdog teams making deep runs into March Madness. The 2025 Coach of the Year award acknowledges that success in college basketball is no longer solely defined by the powerhouses of the sport.
Both Auburn and St. John’s are programs that were once seen as second-tier, but with the right leadership, they have become elite programs in their respective conferences. Pearl and Pitino’s success proves that with a clear vision, a commitment to building a strong team culture, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, any program can rise to national prominence.
The tie also speaks to the respect that both Pearl and Pitino have earned among their peers and the college basketball community. While they come from different backgrounds and coaching philosophies, both have demonstrated that they are among the best in the business. The mutual recognition is a nod to their shared ability to create winning programs from the ground up, even in the face of adversity.
The Legacy of Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino
Both Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino have already secured their places in college basketball history. Pearl’s success at Auburn has elevated the program into one of the SEC’s most competitive teams, while Pitino’s resurgence of St. John’s has restored a sense of pride to one of the most storied programs in the sport’s history.
For Pearl, the 2025 Coach of the Year honor cements his status as one of the top coaches in the country, and it highlights the sustained excellence he has brought to Auburn basketball. He has built a program that can compete with the best in the nation year in and year out, and his innovative coaching style has become a hallmark of his success.
Pitino, on the other hand, is already a Hall of Fame coach, and his work at St. John’s only adds to his legendary legacy. His ability to turn around a program like St. John’s is a testament to his enduring coaching brilliance, and the 2025 season will be remembered as one of the great coaching performances in recent college basketball history.
The AP Coach of the Year award tie also speaks to the future of college basketball. With new challenges, such as the evolving landscape of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), the transfer portal, and changes in conference alignment, coaches like Pearl and Pitino are proving that success can still be achieved with the right leadership, adaptability, and determination.
The historic tie between Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino for the AP Coach of the Year award is a moment of celebration not only for the two coaches but for the sport of college basketball as a whole. It is a testament to the growing parity in the sport and the ability of elite coaches to turn struggling programs into national contenders. Both Pearl and Pitino have left an indelible mark on their respective programs and the game itself, and their shared recognition is a fitting tribute to their exceptional coaching careers.
In a world where success is often defined by championships and titles, the 2025 AP Coach of the Year award serves as a reminder that greatness can be found in many forms. For Auburn and St. John’s, the future looks bright, and with coaches like Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino leading the way, the best may still be yet to come.
