Richard Pitino, the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos, led the team near to its first Mountain West title since 2014. However, their journey in the tournament ended in the semifinals with a narrow loss to Bouse State.
Highlights
- Richard Pitino led New Mexico to progressive achievement, increasing the 13-19 record to a 24-6 win-loss ratio.
- Richard Pitino is married to his high school sweetheart, Jill Urbanus Pitino.
- Pitino’s couple is the parents of three children: son Jack and daughters Ava and Zoe.
On March 22, 2025, Lobos advanced with a 75-66 Win over Marquette in the NCAA First Round.
The New Mexico Lobos secured their first NCAA men’s basketball tournament win since 2012, defeating Marquette 75-66 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Moreover, under head coach Richard Pitino, the New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team has had a notable 2024-2025 season. They finished the season with a 26-7 record.
In the Mountain West Tournament 2023-24 season, New Mexico marked the victory against San Diego State with 68-61.
However, in the 2024-25 season, the team did advance to the semifinals after a 63-52 victory over San Jose State, but their run ended with a narrow 72-69 loss to Boise State in the semifinals.
I was told yesterday that Richard Pitino is one of the very best young coaches in the nation and a name that you should absolutely keep an eye on during #WVU’s coaching search.
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) March 19, 2025
Pitino, 42, led New Mexico to a 26-7 record this season. pic.twitter.com/8acQ5ldT6s
The progress of the New Mexico Lobos has dramatically improved since the arrival of head coach Richard Pitino in 2021.
Under his leadership, the Lobos have progressed from a 13-19 record in his first year to a 24-6 record this season, with a projected #9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Eventually, the Lobos earned a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region. In recognition of his accomplishments, Pitino signed a contract extension in May 2024, securing his position through the 2028-29 season.
Richard Pitino, With His Gorgeous Wife, Jill Urbanus Pitino, Nurturs Three Children: Two Daughters And A Son
Richard Pitino’s beloved wife, Jill Urbanus Pitino, has unwavering support for his professional achievements. The couple got married around 2008.
Moreover, the couple began dating at their respective high schools in Boston. Richard Pitino’s wife, Jill, is a well-spoken Boston College Grad.
After college, Jill worked as an Analyst at OpSec Security and for Genuine in the same position.
Craving a glass of water filled to the top with ice #Paris pic.twitter.com/liVn6tFyQA
— Richard Pitino (@LoboCoachPitino) August 12, 2018
Furthermore, from 2011 to 2012, when the family settled in Louisville, Richard was associate head coach for the university basketball team.
During that time, Jill worked as Executive Meeting Manager for Seelbach Hilton Louisville.
Richard Pitino and Jill Urbanus are the proud parents of their three kids: son Jack and two daughters Ava and Zoe.
The elder child, daughter Ava Catherine, 13, second child, son Jack -yeard-old, and youngest kid, Zoe, 9 -year-old.
The three kids of Richard and Jill Urbanus Pitino are fond of sports. They are often seen together, along with their father and mother, cheering up the team they support.
First Balloon Fiesta! Beautiful! #BalloonFiesta #ABQ pic.twitter.com/Rh9kH6imcd
— Richard Pitino (@LoboCoachPitino) October 2, 2021
On Richard Pitino’s X (former Twitter), there are plenty of pictures of Ava, Jack, and Zoe as sports fans.
Moreover, Richard Pitino was the head coach of the University of Minnesota basketball team from 2013 to 2021.
Thus, the kids primarily grew up supporting and watching Minnesota games. They have a soft spot for the team.
Additional Information
- Under the contract extension, Richard will make $1.2 million next season and $1.4 million in the final year of the contract.
- Richard Pitino’s father is Rick Pitino, a well-known American basketball coach currently the head coach of St. John University Men’s basketball.
- Richard Pitino’s mother is Joanne Minardi, and he has four siblings: Michael, Christopher, Ryan, and Jacqueline.