Lobos coach Richard Pitino to leave for Xavier
The decision comes after the Lobos made two straight NCAA Tournaments and won a pair Mountain West titles
Updated: 8:41 PM MDT Mar 25, 2025
University of New Mexico men’s basketball head coach Richard Pitino will be the next head coach at Xavier, according to the Albuquerque Journal.The decision comes after Pitino made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2024 and 2025. The Lobos won the regular season Mountain West title after a 17-3 conference record.Pitino was also named Mountain West coach of the year earlier in March. He will replace Sean Miller, who led the Musketeers to a 185-87 record in three seasons. UNM were able to advance to the round of 32 after defeating Marquette, 75-66. Their postseason run came to an end after a narrow eight-point loss to Michigan State.The Lobos secured an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament in 2024 after winning the Mountain West conference tournament. Pitino held a record of 88-49 during his four years at New Mexico.Pitino came to UNM from the University of Minnesota, where he coached for eight seasons. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 25.Stay updated on the latest sports news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —University of New Mexico men’s basketball head coach Richard Pitino will be the next head coach at Xavier, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
The decision comes after Pitino made back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2024 and 2025. The Lobos won the regular season Mountain West title after a 17-3 conference record.
Pitino was also named Mountain West coach of the year earlier in March. He will replace Sean Miller, who led the Musketeers to a 185-87 record in three seasons.
UNM were able to advance to the round of 32 after defeating Marquette, 75-66. Their postseason run came to an end after a narrow eight-point loss to Michigan State.
The Lobos secured an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament in 2024 after winning the Mountain West conference tournament. Pitino held a record of 88-49 during his four years at New Mexico.
Pitino came to UNM from the University of Minnesota, where he coached for eight seasons. The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 25.
Stay updated on the latest sports news with the KOAT app. You can download it here.
