St. John's University Athletics
Joe Tartamella Signs Six-Year Contract with St. John’s
4/20/2023 12:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
2023 BIG EAST Coach of the Year inks long-term deal through 2029
QUEENS, N.Y.- After leading the Red Storm to an NCAA Tournament win and earning 2023 BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors, Head Coach Joe Tartamella has signed a new six-year contract through the 2028-29 season, St. John's University announced on Thursday.
"This is a great day for all of St. John's as we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the women's basketball program competing at the highest level in the BIG EAST and nationally," Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "This moment marks perfect timing, as we come off of a historic season filled with milestones that sets us up for continued success under Coach Tartamella's direction. Most importantly, Joe Tartamella continues to help the shape the lives of our student-athletes through their display of high-character and commitment in the classroom and on the hardwood."
Coming off a historic season filled with impressive accolades, Tartamella led the Johnnies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016 and the program's first win in the Big Dance in nine years. St. John's finished the year with an overall record of 23-9 and a 13-7 mark in BIG EAST play.
"My family and I want to thank the Board of Trustees, President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., our Director of Athletics Mike Cragg, our entire athletics administration, the women's basketball staff and our entire University for their endless support," Tartamella said. "Special thanks to Senior Women's Administrator Kathy Meehan, who has been with me every step of the way and I'm truly grateful for all of her contributions over the years to our student-athletes and program."
Leading a remarkable turnaround this past season, Tartamella guided the Red Storm to 22 regular season victories, the program's most during his tenure and highest total since 2009-10 after a combined 20 wins the two years prior.
In a year where the league sent five teams to the Big Dance, Tartamella was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year after leading the Red Storm to a top-four finish for the seventh time in 11 years at the helm. The Johnnies resurgence garnered attention on the national scale as the team spent nine-straight weeks ranked or receiving votes in one of the two national polls. Tartamella was also named one of 10 Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalists.
St. John's was one of nine teams in NCAA Division I to sweep through its non-conference schedule with an undefeated record at 9-0. Furthermore, the Red Storm recorded wins in each of its first 13 contests, the best start in program history.
In league competition, the Johnnies picked up 13 BIG EAST wins, the program's most since 2013-14 and finished tied for fourth in the standings.
On Feb. 21, Tartamella earned the highest ranked win of his career at No. 4/5 UConn, 69-64. On a magical night in Hartford, the Red Storm rallied from an eight-point third-quarter deficit to shock the 11-time National Champion Huskies at home. The Red Storm is one of three conference opponents to defeat UConn in the last 10 years.
In early December, the Johnnies picked up their first marquee victory over then-No. 13/14 Creighton, 66-62, on Dec. 4. St. John's tallied two wins over top-15 teams for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Tartamella was introduced as the ninth coach in program history on April 27, 2012 and has tallied a head coaching record of 205-143, becoming the winningest coach in program history during the 2021-22 campaign. Overall, he has led the Johnnies to a 2016 BIG EAST Tournament Championship, four NCAA Tournament appearances and seven trips to the postseason in 11 years. On Feb. 8, 2023, he became the first coach to ever reach the 200-win mark at St. John's after a 71-52 win at Xavier.
He has mentored two BIG EAST Defensive Players of the Year, a pair of BIG EAST Sixth-Woman of the Year award winners, 13 All-BIG EAST selections, 10 of whom landed on the conference's first team, and 19 All-MET selections during his tenure as the lead man.
"The past 20-plus years here have been an incredible journey, as we continue to strive for excellence on-and-off the floor," Tartamella said. "My staff and I will continue to work hard to make St. John's University, our fans and alumni proud."
As an assistant and associate head coach under his predecessor Kim Barnes-Arico, Tartamella was part of three NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2012. After this year's victory, Tartamella has been part of seven of the eight NCAA Tournament wins in St. John's history.
Starting out as a graduate assistant in Queens, Tartamella has spent more than 20 years dedicated to the St. John's women's basketball program.
"This is a great day for all of St. John's as we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the women's basketball program competing at the highest level in the BIG EAST and nationally," Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "This moment marks perfect timing, as we come off of a historic season filled with milestones that sets us up for continued success under Coach Tartamella's direction. Most importantly, Joe Tartamella continues to help the shape the lives of our student-athletes through their display of high-character and commitment in the classroom and on the hardwood."
Coming off a historic season filled with impressive accolades, Tartamella led the Johnnies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016 and the program's first win in the Big Dance in nine years. St. John's finished the year with an overall record of 23-9 and a 13-7 mark in BIG EAST play.
"My family and I want to thank the Board of Trustees, President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., our Director of Athletics Mike Cragg, our entire athletics administration, the women's basketball staff and our entire University for their endless support," Tartamella said. "Special thanks to Senior Women's Administrator Kathy Meehan, who has been with me every step of the way and I'm truly grateful for all of her contributions over the years to our student-athletes and program."
Leading a remarkable turnaround this past season, Tartamella guided the Red Storm to 22 regular season victories, the program's most during his tenure and highest total since 2009-10 after a combined 20 wins the two years prior.
In a year where the league sent five teams to the Big Dance, Tartamella was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year after leading the Red Storm to a top-four finish for the seventh time in 11 years at the helm. The Johnnies resurgence garnered attention on the national scale as the team spent nine-straight weeks ranked or receiving votes in one of the two national polls. Tartamella was also named one of 10 Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalists.
St. John's was one of nine teams in NCAA Division I to sweep through its non-conference schedule with an undefeated record at 9-0. Furthermore, the Red Storm recorded wins in each of its first 13 contests, the best start in program history.
In league competition, the Johnnies picked up 13 BIG EAST wins, the program's most since 2013-14 and finished tied for fourth in the standings.
On Feb. 21, Tartamella earned the highest ranked win of his career at No. 4/5 UConn, 69-64. On a magical night in Hartford, the Red Storm rallied from an eight-point third-quarter deficit to shock the 11-time National Champion Huskies at home. The Red Storm is one of three conference opponents to defeat UConn in the last 10 years.
In early December, the Johnnies picked up their first marquee victory over then-No. 13/14 Creighton, 66-62, on Dec. 4. St. John's tallied two wins over top-15 teams for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Tartamella was introduced as the ninth coach in program history on April 27, 2012 and has tallied a head coaching record of 205-143, becoming the winningest coach in program history during the 2021-22 campaign. Overall, he has led the Johnnies to a 2016 BIG EAST Tournament Championship, four NCAA Tournament appearances and seven trips to the postseason in 11 years. On Feb. 8, 2023, he became the first coach to ever reach the 200-win mark at St. John's after a 71-52 win at Xavier.
He has mentored two BIG EAST Defensive Players of the Year, a pair of BIG EAST Sixth-Woman of the Year award winners, 13 All-BIG EAST selections, 10 of whom landed on the conference's first team, and 19 All-MET selections during his tenure as the lead man.
"The past 20-plus years here have been an incredible journey, as we continue to strive for excellence on-and-off the floor," Tartamella said. "My staff and I will continue to work hard to make St. John's University, our fans and alumni proud."
As an assistant and associate head coach under his predecessor Kim Barnes-Arico, Tartamella was part of three NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a Sweet 16 run in 2012. After this year's victory, Tartamella has been part of seven of the eight NCAA Tournament wins in St. John's history.
Starting out as a graduate assistant in Queens, Tartamella has spent more than 20 years dedicated to the St. John's women's basketball program.
St. John's WBB Game 1 Postgame Press Conference 3.7.25
Friday, March 07
Postgame Press Conference St. John's WBB vs Georgetown 2.26.2025
Wednesday, February 26
Post Game Press Conference St. John's WBB vs Butler 2.16.2024
Sunday, February 16
Postgame Press Conference St. John's WBB vs Xavier 2.2.25
Sunday, February 02