Rick Pitino Cowardly Walks Back Criticism Of His Players

Rick Pitino is smashing reverse on some comments he made about his roster at St. John's.

Pitino made some waves when he verbally dismantled his team following a Sunday loss to Seton Hall, and he didn't hold back.

"We are so unathletic that we can't guard anybody without fouling. For me, I've always enjoyed the first year, and I'm not gonna lie to you: This is the most unenjoyable experience of my lifetime. This has been so disappointing…Look: Joel's [Soriano] slow laterally, he's not fast on the court. Chris Ledlum is slow laterally, Sean Conway's slow laterally. Brady's physically weak, Drissa is slow laterally," Pitino said after the game.

The famous basketball coach originally held the line and didn't back down. Well, he's changing his tune now.

Rick Pitino walks back comments critical of his team.

"I immediately went to the team, and told them, ‘I absolutely love you guys. I would never ever want to embarrass you. It’s my bad. I'm at fault. I shouldn't ever have mentioned anyone by name. I didn't mean it.’…I should never ever mention a name. I’m a veteran coach. I tell every young coach in the business, ‘Show class when you win. Show class when you lose, and give the other team credit.' I've been very frustrated this year for a lot of different reasons," Pitino told the media Wednesday night after beating Georgetown.

You can watch his full comments below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

Welcome to 2024. A coach can't criticize his team without having to address the entire squad and then publicly walk back his comments like he's in a hostage video.

Pitino didn't say or do anything wrong. He pointed out that St. John's is terrible and that the players aren't getting the job done. Is he wrong?

The team is currently 15-12 and 7-9 in the Big East. The Red Storm aren't even close to sniffing the NCAA Tournament. 

Rick Pitino is struggling in his first year with St. John's. (Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)

I guess everyone needs to be treated like a child today to make sure their feelings aren't hurt. Gone are the days of just shooting people straight. Now, coaches have to sanitize their thoughts. Absolutely pathetic. Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com if you agree.