Rick Pitino abortion case: A look back on infamous scandal of new St. John's head coach

Rick Pitino has signed a six-year deal to become the new coach at St. John's. Pitino will leave Iona after three seasons, helping them make the NCAA tournament twice.

The Hall of Fame returned to college basketball in 2020 after his controversial and tumultuous exit from Louisville three years earlier. He remains one of the best coaches in the nation despite his age and past issues.

Pitino has an overall record of 711-290 with two NCAA title wins in 1996 for Kentucky and 2013 for Louisville. However, it should be noted that Pitino and the Cardinals had to vacate their 2013 championship due to the corruption scandal that rocked college basketball in 2017.

Apart from the corruption scandal in 2017 with Louisville, Rick Pitino was also investigated early in his career in the 1970s. Pitino, who was coaching Hawaii at the time, was placed on probation by the NCAA for several violations.

There was also an extortion attempt on Pitino in 2009 by Karen Cunagin Sypher. She was the wife of Tim Sypher, who was Louisville's equipment manager. While Karen was found guilty, Pitino admitted to having a sexual relationship with her in 2003 that resulted in pregnancy.

Karen wanted to get an abortion but did not have the insurance to pay for it. Pitino gave her $3,000 to get the abortion done, and the coach proceeded to make a public apology for his extramarrital affair.

"I do want to say that the past seven months have been very difficult on the people I love," Pitino said. "I am here today because I personally apologize to my family every single day. I let them down with my indiscretion six years ago, and I'm sorry for that and I tell them that every day."

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Rick Pitino reveals plans for St. John's programme

Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino has huge plans for St. John's after getting hired as their new coach, replacing Mike Anderson, who was in charge for four seasons. St. John's was once a college basketball powerhouse but has not made it to the NCAA tournament since 2015.

Pitino told the New York Post in an interview that he wants to take the Red Storm back to their glory days under Lou Carnesecca. He also revealed his plans to make St. John's a top-20 program in the nation.

"I want to make it a top-20 programme," Pitino said. "I want to go back to Loois' when they were a perennial power, not only in the Big East, but the entire country. I wouldn’t even consider taking it if I didn't think that was a distinct possibility."

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