Gus Johnson mistakenly labels Rick Pitino 'new sheriff in the Big Ten' amid Indiana links, corrects himself

For Rick Pitino and St. John’s, Friday night was another reason for validation as an NCAA Tournament team. The Red Storm took down two-time defending champion UConn 68-62 in Storrs to improve to 21-3, continuing its upward trajectory in Year 2 under Pitino.

Gus Johnson had the call for FOX alongside Jim Jackson, and he pointed out the changing of the guard in the Big East. As he did, though, he slipped up.

Johnson – the lead play-by-play announcer for FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff games during football season – slipped up and said “Big Ten” before immediately catching himself. It also happened as Pitino’s name loosely became linked to Indiana after news broke of Mike Woodson’s plans to step down.

"There's a new sheriff in the Big East. And his name is Rick Pitino"

– Gus Johnson on the call as Pitino's St John's knocks off Dan Hurley's UConn in Storrs

New York Basketball is what's up pic.twitter.com/DUDwPBdm17

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 8, 2025

“Folks, there’s a new sheriff in the Big Ten – in the Big East, excuse me. … And his name is Rick Pitino,” Johnson said. “The Red Storm come in here and win a huge game, overcoming a 14-point deficit with excellent defense, forcing 22 turnovers and holding Solo Ball to two points in the final 34 minutes.”

Indiana officially announced Woodson’s plans to step down at the end of the season on Friday, just one day before the Hoosiers take on Michigan at Assembly Hall. The Wolverines, of course, are coached by former Bob Knight manager Dusty May.

But when it came to early names that could potentially replace Woodson at IU, The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman called for the Hoosiers to call Pitino for the job. He wondered if Pitino could come in and have an impact similar to Curt Cignetti on the football side, revitalizing the program in just one year.

“My big name, if I’m Indiana and [AD] Scott Dolson and I strike out on Brad Stevens, Scott Drew? Rick Pitino,” Goodman said. “That’s who I’m calling. I’m calling Rick Pitino. I’m calling Rick Pitino and saying, ‘Hey, I know you’re doing well at St. John’s. I know you like New York. You built this thing in two years, rebuilt it into something where you’re back. But man, last I checked, St. John’s ain’t Indiana.’ Indiana’s got that campus feel, their support is much different. The feel is much different than St. John’s. There’s no campus at St. John’s. They’ll show up for games, but it’s a different type of feel among the basketball program.

“For me, Rick Pitino – I know he’s older, but who gives a shit? If you’re Indiana, these days, you’re not playing for like five, 10 years down the road to hire a coach that’s gonna be there forever. No. Like, three years. And for Indiana? Give me a year. They just had a year of football with Curt Cignetti. You don’t think they’d take that right now in basketball? Give me a Final Four this year, and they don’t give a shit after that. Give me another couple average years.”