Rick Pitino will become new St. John’s basketball coach

There is finally light at the end of this never-ending tu🐻nnel of disappointment for St. John’s, belief that this dormant program and its beaten-down fans finally have a realistic reason for optimism.

It comes in the form of Rick Pitino, the legendary 70-🔥year-old coach and native New Yorker who has agreed to take the challenging job on a six-year deal,🐷 a source confirmed.

Pitino replaces Mike Anderson, fired after four mostly underwhelming seasons, trying to resurrect this once-proud team that last won an NCAA Tournament game 23 years ago and haౠsn’t reac🅺hed the main draw of the dance since 2015.

Pitino, who was offered the job Sunday after meeting with St. John’s higher-ups, broke the news to his Iona players around the time it became known he was taking the job, a source said.

Former Manhattan College coach Steve Masiello is expected to be on Pitino’s staff, and Iona assistant Bob Walsh could be, too. 

The b𒁃uzz of the potential of this move came slightly before the𝓡 Big East Tournament.

The Post🥃 was the first t𝓀o report of mutual interest between the two parties.

President Fr. Brian Shanley spearheaded the co൩urtship, described as “relentless” by a Pitino confidante. Pitino has called him a “superstar.”

There had been dialogue through third parties between Shanley and P𒆙itino for quite some ওtime, according to multiple sources.

Shanley nearly hired💜 Pitino at Providence 12 years ago – Pitino opted to stay at Louisville – before settling on Ed Cooley.

A key for St. John’s was location.

Pitino wanted another shot at the high-⭕major l🎶evel, but didn’t want to move from his home in Mamaroneck, N.Y. on Winged Foot Golf Club.

He also was drawn to the idea of coaching at the Garden again, as he 🐻did as the Knicks’ coach from 1987-89.

A significant increase in St. John’s games at MSG are expected with𒁏 Pitino in the fold.

Billionaire alum Mike Repole, the co-founder of Vitamin Water, told The Post on Saturday he would look to get involved again with the program if it hires Pitino and helps with Naꦐme, Image and𒈔 Likeness.

“He’s the type of coach that the University has deserved since the day Louie Carnesecca retired,” Repole said.