Catholic universities in the US were generally started by one of three groups - Jesuits, Franciscans, and Congregation of the Mission. All three of those groups have drifted over time into generally more liberal theology with universalist flavor (the idea everyone is ultimately saved). It’s not shocking Catholic universities being led by these groups today could hire a guy who aided and abetted an abortion and has never publicly repented, because within the theology they follow there’s no need to repent anyway since salvation is guaranteed.
Pitino getting hired at Iona and St John’s did lead to protests from alumni - but part of the problem is the Catholic alumni aren’t really aware Catholic universities are being led in 2023 by groups and men effectively in schism with the Catholic Church. The universities are Catholic-in-name-only.