Iona coach Rick Pitino said Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month after receiving his first vaccine shot.

Pitino, 68, said he quarantined in a small apartment on the Iona campus in New Rochelle as opposed to living at his Mamaroneck, N.Y., home with his wife, Joanne.

Pitino described his isolation as "living the life of a monk."

Pitino didn't reveal when he tested positive. A school spokesperson told the Westchester Journal News that nine players, two coaches and two managers have tested positive since Jan. 4.

The Gaels (5-3) last played a game on Dec. 23 and won't play a single game in January. They are currently slated to return to the court on Feb. 3 against visiting Manhattan.

Moving forward isn't easy with COVID-19 issues still affecting Iona.

"We don't have enough guys to run a practice," Pitino told reporters. "We've had a few other positives and some of our players are symptomatic for the first time."

Pitino said he is hopeful the team can resume activities early next week.

"The only way for us to get through this unscathed is for every single member of the basketball team to catch it, which is not the case," Pitino said. "I don't have a lot of positive thoughts going forward."

Pitino is in his first season at Iona. He has a 775-274 record in 32 seasons as a college coach, most prominently with Kentucky (1989-97) and Louisville (2001-17).

Pitino guided Kentucky (1996) and Louisville in (2013) to national championships. The title at Louisville was later vacated by the NCAA due to rules violations tied to an escort scandal.

Pitino was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

--Field Level Media