For being just 43 years old, Richard Pitino doesn’t lack in the experience department as he begins his first season as Xavier’s men’s basketball coach. Thirteen years of being a Division I head coach has prepared him for the new challenge of the Big East.
Over a decade ago, he likely would’ve disagreed on the importance of a coach having those years under their belt.
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“When you first start out, you try to justify why experience doesn’t matter because you’re a young head coach. It does… I’m secure in my beliefs more so now than I ever was at the start of my career because I was trying to prove myself,” said Pitino, who got his head-coaching start at 30 years old with Florida International. “I’m not trying to prove myself anymore. I’m trying to win at a high, high level.”
Pitino has been all over town getting engrained with the community since being formally introduced as Xavier’s next head coach in April. He threw out the first pitch to his son at Great American Ball Park, pulling the sword before an FC Cincinnati matchup at TQL Stadium and pre-season shows at Sorrento’s Italian Joint in Norwood.
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“It’s starting to feel like home,” Pitino said.
Richard Pitino speaks after being introduced as the new Xavier men’s basketball head coach on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
The time for meeting Xavier fans across the city is over. Pitino addressed the media on Sept. 22 as fall practices began across the college basketball landscape. Xavier will have 30 practices over a 42-day span leading up to the season-opener Nov. 3 against Marist at home. The Musketeers will also have an exhibition Oct. 18 vs. Murray State at Cintas Center.
“Maybe at the beginning, when I first started doing this profession, I was trying to do everything myself. I think I have more of the confidence to go let my people work,” Pitino said. “I know what we need to do. It’s gonna take some time, but I certainly know what we need to do.”
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Xavier Musketeers ‘starting from scratch’ with new coach, roster
Roster turnovers are common in the world of NIL and the transfer portal. In Pitino’s case, Xavier is truly building from the ground up with zero returners among its 12 scholarship players (guard Roddie Anderson was a redshirt last season).
When Pitino took the job, Anderson was the lone player on the roster. The Musketeers quickly filled out the roster through the transfer portal with 10 additions via the portal and one from the Class of 2025 in 7-foot center Kason Westphal.
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“You gotta get everybody on the same page. You have to be clear about what your terminology is, how we’re gonna operate on a daily basis, this is what we’re gonna call switching a ball screen, hedging or offensive concepts,” Pitino explained. “When you’re starting the way we are, we’re starting from scratch.”
Making sure everyone is grasping the playbook is step one. In terms of a potential starting lineup, it’s too early to tell. With four players at 6-foot-10 or taller, Pitino has tinkered with bigger lineups and small-ball rotations on a daily basis. Versatility is an emphasis early on.
“You’ve gotta have a B plan, a C plan, a D plan. I’ve liked it. I’ve liked other lineups, as well,” he said. “The attitude’s been great, the effort has been really, really good, guys are getting better, but I’m constantly changing the lineup to see what I’ve got versatility wise.”
Xavier guard Roddie Anderson is the lone returner from last year’s team that made the NCAA Tournament. Anderson redshirted last season.
Musketeers getting in shape in Pitino’s up-tempo scheme
With the team practicing more consistently, Pitino and company can take off the training wheels and implement the high-speed scheme he’s known for.
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Last season, New Mexico was one of nine teams in the country to average more fast-break points than Xavier. The Lobos ranked No. 4 in that category and were No. 7 in adjusted tempo, according to KenPom.
“That’s the key to what we’re trying to do is to be able to not get tired and be able to, 10 minutes in, when the pace is going, maybe we can fatigue the opponent,” Pitino said.
One of Xavier’s key offseason additions, wing Gabriel Pozzato, is still recovering from a meniscus injury he suffered over the summer. With more questions than answers when it comes to the Musketeers’ rotation at the start of fall practice, there are minutes up for grabs with the season-opener just six weeks away.
“If you can help us win, I’m gonna play ya. That’s really what this thing comes down to. Who can impact winning?” Pitino said. “When we play Nov. 3, I’m gonna coach that thing like it’s the national championship. If you can help us win, you’re gonna play.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Xavier basketball opens fall practice with new head coach, roster
