When Richard Pitino was asked about the expectations for his first season at Xavier Tuesday afternoon, the 42-year-old took a deep breath before a slight chuckle. Sure, Pitino's team would have to forfeit if a game was played today with only two scholarship players left on the roster.

Xavier hires Richard Pitino as their men's basketball coach. Coach Pitino speaks at a welcoming ceremony at Xavier.

Dante Jackson, a guard for the Musketeers from 2007-2011 who was originally hired as part of Travis Steele's staff in 2018, will be retained by Pitino, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein. Pitino is bringing assistants Isaac Chew, Aaron Katsuma and Tarvish Felton from New Mexico to Xavier.

Pitino stressed the importance of 'retention' of Xavier's existing players, but he also said that Xavier, and the Big East as a whole, were in a position of strength when it comes to NIL.

By JOE REEDY There will be more than one Pitino in the Big East next season. Xavier hired Richard Pitino, the son of St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, as its basketball coach on Tuesday night.

Xavier made it official Tuesday night when it announced the hiring of Richard Pitino as its next head coach. Xavier's offseason can start with Pitino forming his staff, and the process is already underway.

Richard Pitino will now battle his Hall of Fame father in the Big East Conference after agreeing to take the Xavier job on Tuesday night. Richard Pitino is leaving New Mexico for the Big East school – replacing Sean Miller,

Richard Pitino, the son of St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, is expected to be hired as the next head men’s basketball coach at Xavier, according to ESPN. He and his dad will now face off at least twice a year.

Pitino has 13 seasons of experience as a head coach, having won an NIT Championship and made four NCAA Tournament appearances.