Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr. Embrace Their Fathers' Legacy in March Madness

Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr. Embrace Their Fathers' Legacy in March Madness

Richard Pitino, head coach of New Mexico, turned to his son, Jack, ahead of his team’s first-round matchup with Marquette, and playfully asked who Jack had picked to win it all in his bracket.

"St. John's," Jack replied.

Of course, St. John's is coached by Jack's grandfather, Hall of Famer Rick Pitino.

"Well, there you go," Richard said with a smile. "You see where his loyalty lies."

Such moments highlight the unique experience of being part of a family legacy in the world of college basketball. For Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr., both of whom have carved their own careers, the legacy of their famous fathers — Rick Pitino and Phil Martelli Sr. — is something they live with every day.

Despite leading their respective teams to success, including consecutive NCAA Tournament berths with New Mexico this year, Richard Pitino knows that his father’s legacy looms large, even within his own family. Sometimes, it feels like no matter what he does, he's still second to Rick Pitino in his family's eyes.

Likewise, Phil Martelli Jr. is well aware of the shadow cast by his father, Phil Sr., a coaching legend who led Saint Joseph’s to prominence in the 2000s. The 43-year-old Martelli has said that he often hears his father’s advice come out of his own mouth during practices, sometimes multiple times a day. For Martelli Jr., the mentorship he received from his father has shaped him not only as a coach but as a person.

“He’s mentored me more as a man than as a coach,” said Martelli, who will lead his 15th-seeded Bryant team against second-seeded Michigan State on Friday. “It’s always about people — coaching basketball is just a part of it.”

Both Pitino and Martelli Jr. made intentional efforts to carve their own paths in coaching. Richard Pitino worked briefly for his father at Louisville before making the pivotal decision to join Billy Donovan’s staff at Florida. That move, he says, was one of the best choices he ever made because it pushed him out of his comfort zone and away from simply trying to emulate his father’s style.

“It made me think differently,” Richard said. “It taught me how to be my own man.”

Though Richard shares his father’s drive and intense coaching style, he’s known to take a more relaxed approach. His players, like New Mexico guard Donovan Dent, have noticed the difference.

“He tries to stay away from his dad's more intense, yelling style,” Dent said. “Coach Pitino is more relaxed, but he’s still tough when he needs to be.”

Despite the differences, Richard Pitino and Phil Martelli Jr. both acknowledge that their fathers' success in March Madness had a major influence on their own careers. They recall watching their fathers work during the most high-stakes month in college basketball, a pivotal experience that guided them toward coaching.

As for the next generation, it remains to be seen whether Jack Pitino or Philip Martelli will follow in their fathers’ footsteps. But for now, Phil Martelli Jr. just wants his son to enjoy the ride, a lesson he learned the hard way while helping his own team reach this level.

“It’s a special thing,” Martelli Jr. said. “It’s special to be in the tournament.”

Tags;

demure,
demure trend,
very demure trend,
give me my money trend,
just give me my money trend,
what is demure trend,
what is the demure trend,
demure meaning,
demure trend meaning,
bta trend,
i love your daughter trend,
gimme my money trend,
nice try diddy trend,
legging legs trend,
hey brother trend,
who started the demure trend,
what is the very demure trend,
where did the demure trend come from,