Rick Pitino, Bruce Pearl Share 2025 AP Coach of the Year Honors

Rick Pitino and Bruce Pearl made history by sharing the 2025 Associated Press Coach of the Year award, the first tie in the award's 58-year history. Pitino, in his second season at St. John's, led the team to a record 31-win season, their first Big East title in 40 years, and their first NCAA tournament win since 2000. Pearl has transformed Auburn into a basketball powerhouse, guiding them to the Final Four while also receiving the SEC Coach of the Year title. Both coaches expressed mutual respect, with Pearl calling Pitino the best coach he has faced. This recognition not only highlights their impressive achievements this season but also reflects their long journeys in coaching, having started their careers around the same time in Massachusetts. The shared honor has sparked diverse reactions among fans and analysts alike, indicating the significance of this moment in college basketball.