St. John’s Championship Would Make Rick Pitino Greatest Coach Ever, Dan Dakich Says

If St. John’s cuts down the nets in San Antonio next month, call Rick Pitino the GOAT … ’cause Dan Dakich says a title win for the Red Storm this year would make their head coach the best ever.

Dakich didn’t mince words during his sitdown with TMZ Sports this week … proclaiming if Pitino becomes a three-time champion with three separate programs, he would immediately vault to the top of the all-time greats list.

“Three different schools, three banners?” Dakich said. “Greatest coach in the history of college basketball.”

Pitino, of course, won his first natty back in 1996 — when he led Kentucky to a victory over Syracuse. In 2013, he won his second ‘ship, when he helped lift Louisville over Michigan.

He’s the only coach to ever win it all at two different schools … and Dakich made it clear if he adds another ring at St. John’s — Mike Krzyzewski and John Wooden need to clear some room at the top.

Pitino has his work cut out for him to make it happen … St. John’s has a very difficult matchup coming up with John Calipari and Arkansas on Saturday. If it wins that, a potential tilt with No. 1-seeded Florida is on the horizon too.