Pitino Advocates for Changes to NCAA Coaching Challenge Rules

Rick Pitino, head coach of St. John’s, is pushing for adjustments to the NCAA’s coaches’ challenge system, specifically to allow for challenges on foul calls.

In a recent game against Xavier, star player Zubby Ejiofor fouled out. Pitino believes that referees missed several calls after reviewing footage.

“If you look at four of Zubby’s five fouls, I don’t think any contact actually occurred,” Pitino stated. “This isn’t just about us. In this league, refs sometimes call fouls outside of their designated areas. When it’s a baseline call, the baseline official should be the one making that call. Accidental contact has really been problematic too. It’s just too much.”

Interestingly, this season marks the first in which college coaches can challenge plays, including out-of-bounds calls and goaltending, throughout the game. However, fouls are not part of what can be challenged.

Teams need to have a timeout available to initiate a challenge. If a challenge is successful, the timeout is retained, and a second challenge can be made.

Pitino commented on Ejiofor’s situation, saying, “He was still in the game the other night. Luckily, Ruben Prey stepped up.” He further expressed concern about the overall quality of officiating this season, emphasizing that both unintentional contact and poor positioning often lead to bad calls.

In another note, starting guard Oziyah Sellers has struggled lately, attempting only five shots in his last two games and not reaching double digits in three games. Pitino has urged him, as the team’s top three-point shooter, to take more initiative on the court.

“Oziyah needs to be more assertive. He passed up several open jumpers in the last game,” Pitino remarked. “He has to recognize opportunities when they arise and not hesitate.”