MUScoop
MUScoop => Hangin' at the Al => Topic started by: Smokin' Jae on March 27, 2015, 01:32:59 PM
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Per espn
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I imagine they'll give Hurley a call.
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I guess okay results won't do it for them. One great recruiting year followed by getting some quality but never enough recruits since sealed this for Lavin. I like this move.
They'll have some great players next year, but struggle finding enough guys to fill out the rotation. And that's assuming that they don't lose guys to transfer.
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Hopefully, they land a solid up-and-coming head coach. Lavin kind of lost that panache he once had so I think some fresh blood will do both the program and conference good.
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Just heard that too... Bummer, I really like him as a coach and he seems to be a good guy! Think Ben Howland's interested? HA, just kidding... but seriously.
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good move
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Just fired from SJU.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25125477/st-johns-parts-ways-with-coach-steve-lavin-after-five-seasons
via http://cbssportsapp.com
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That will be interesting. Danny Hurley, Steve Masiello, Richard Pitino all being mentioned.
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Way too much inconsistency from the Johnnies the past few years. Some nights they were exceptional, other nights it looked like a playground pickup game. Without question, it's the best decision for the program.
Both St. Johns (New York) and DePaul (Chicago) having coaching openings could really be big time opportunity for the Big East. With both major markets open, and plenty of top recruits, the right coaches for the jobs could turn both teams into top-tier programs. I have more faith in St. Johns hiring a quality coach than DePaul, however.
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That will be interesting. Danny Hurley, Steve Masiello, Richard Pitino all being mentioned.
Is St. John's really a step up from Goldy Gopher?
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What if Danny Hurley gets St. Johns and Bobby Hurley gets DePaul? :o
It would look poor for Richard Pitino to leave Minnesota after only two seasons. He was at FIU for just one season. Awfully young to be considered the next Kevin O'Neill...
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Is St. John's really a step up from Goldy Gopher?
On paper, it is. Better history, basketball drives the bus, great recruiting ground, and MSG. The question is if ANY administration will give the new coach the necessary support to make them relevant again.
My hope is for both Hurley brothers to the Big East, though.
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Is St. John's really a step up from Goldy Gopher?
The big apple? Madison Square Garden? Are you kidding?
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What if Danny Hurley gets St. Johns and Bobby Hurley gets DePaul? :o
It would look poor for Richard Pitino to leave Minnesota after only two seasons. He was at FIU for just one season. Awfully young to be considered the next Kevin O'Neill...
And, if he does well, a move to Louisville in his future.
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I've heard that Chris Mullin, and both Hurleys are their main targets. All make sense because they are local guys who have connections in the NYC area
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On paper, it is. Better history, basketball drives the bus, great recruiting ground, and MSG. The question is if ANY administration will give the new coach the necessary support to make them relevant again.
My hope is for both Hurley brothers to the Big East, though.
You're being extremely mean to Bobby Hurley. How about Bobby to St. John's while Danny bides his time waiting on Seton Hall or vice versa?
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The big apple? Madison Square Garden? Are you kidding?
I didn't pretend to know. I was just throwing it out there. Minnesota has been to the Final Four more recently than St. John's, has had more recent overall basketball success and, mostly, has the backing of the Big 14. But I get what you're saying about St. John's, too.
I'd probably lean toward the Big 14 team in this conversation, but I'm far from certain.
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Minnesota has been to the Final Four more recently
Which was vacated because of rampant cheating.
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This sort of surprises me. How many programs, short of maybe a few blue bloods, would let a coach go directly after an NCAA tournament birth, especially when they weren't at that level before he came to the program?
Lavin didn't make St. John's elite, but he made them respectable and relevant (and they were neither before him), all while battling cancer. Unless this is something he also wanted, I don't really understand it.
Norm Roberts (Big East Conference) (2004–2010)
2004-05 Norm Roberts 9–18 3-13 12th
2005-06 Norm Roberts 12–15 5-11 15th
2006-07 Norm Roberts 16–15 7-9 11th
2007-08 Norm Roberts 11–19 5-13 14th
2008-09 Norm Roberts 16–18 6-12 13th CBI First Round
2009-10 Norm Roberts 17–16 6-12 13th NIT First Round
Norm Roberts: 81-101 32-70
Steve Lavin (Big East Conference) (2010–present)
2010-11 Steve Lavin 21–12 12–6 T-3rd NCAA Second Round
2011-12 Steve Lavin
Mike Dunlap 2–2
11–17 N/A
6–12 T-11th
2012-13 Steve Lavin 17–16 8–10 10th NIT Second Round
2013-14 Steve Lavin 20–13 10–8 T-3rd NIT First Round
2014-15 Steve Lavin 21–12 10–8 5th NCAA Second Round
Steve Lavin: 92-72 46-44
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This article is from 2 days ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/lavin-set-meet-sju-prez-talk-contract-extension-article-1.2162526
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin will meet with university president Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw in the coming days to discuss their visions of the basketball program’s future. It’s an annual end-of-season meeting that will likely include a conversation about giving Lavin a contract extension, the Daily News has learned.
Lavin has been a part of ongoing conversations with other school administrators regarding a possible contract extension and they continued on campus Wednesday. The contract talks have been part of evaluations that are conducted at the end of every season. But two sources told The News there is no agreement, as some published reports suggested.
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What about Phil Jackson? He's got solid NYC ties.
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Which was vacated because of rampant cheating.
Oh, you and your rules and regulations!
My favorite Clem Haskins memory was the time the school held a party to watch Selection Sunday -- complete with coaches, players, cheerleaders, media, big-money alums, etc -- and then the Gophers weren't selected. Clem spent a half-hour bitching to the media about the committee. It was hilarious stuff.
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This sort of surprises me. How many programs, short of maybe a few blue bloods, would let a coach go directly after an NCAA tournament birth, especially when they weren't at that level before he came to the program?
Lavin didn't make St. John's elite, but he made them respectable and relevant (and they were neither before him), all while battling cancer. Unless this is something he also wanted, I don't really understand it.
Norm Roberts (Big East Conference) (2004–2010)
2004-05 Norm Roberts 9–18 3-13 12th
2005-06 Norm Roberts 12–15 5-11 15th
2006-07 Norm Roberts 16–15 7-9 11th
2007-08 Norm Roberts 11–19 5-13 14th
2008-09 Norm Roberts 16–18 6-12 13th CBI First Round
2009-10 Norm Roberts 17–16 6-12 13th NIT First Round
Norm Roberts: 81-101 32-70
Steve Lavin (Big East Conference) (2010–present)
2010-11 Steve Lavin 21–12 12–6 T-3rd NCAA Second Round
2011-12 Steve Lavin
Mike Dunlap 2–2
11–17 N/A
6–12 T-11th
2012-13 Steve Lavin 17–16 8–10 10th NIT Second Round
2013-14 Steve Lavin 20–13 10–8 T-3rd NIT First Round
2014-15 Steve Lavin 21–12 10–8 5th NCAA Second Round
Steve Lavin: 92-72 46-44
IMO, he lost too many recruiting battles without adequate backup plans. Always went after the big fish, though.
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This article is from 2 days ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/lavin-set-meet-sju-prez-talk-contract-extension-article-1.2162526
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin will meet with university president Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw in the coming days to discuss their visions of the basketball program’s future. It’s an annual end-of-season meeting that will likely include a conversation about giving Lavin a contract extension, the Daily News has learned.
Lavin has been a part of ongoing conversations with other school administrators regarding a possible contract extension and they continued on campus Wednesday. The contract talks have been part of evaluations that are conducted at the end of every season. But two sources told The News there is no agreement, as some published reports suggested.
Sounds like $$$ entered into it.
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This surprises me.
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The big apple? Madison Square Garden? Are you kidding?
I think Pitino Jr is taking a page out of the Buzz playbook. Seems like he's being mentioned with every open job, whether it makes sense or not.
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Is St. John's really a step up from Goldy Gopher?
No. I live in Minnesota and my daughter goes to U of M. There are about six people in the state who give a crap about the team...and that's only when the hockey team isn't also playing. St. John's isn't a great job and I understand the concern a coach may have about the future of a non-football conference, but coaching at MSG easily trumps Minnesota. If SJU were to match what he's getting, he'd be gone in a New York minute.
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No. I live in Minnesota and my daughter goes to U of M. There are about six people in the state who give a crap about the team...and that's only when the hockey team isn't also playing. St. John's isn't a great job and I understand the concern a coach may have about the future of a non-football conference, but coaching at MSG easily trumps Minnesota. If SJU were to match what he's getting, he'd be gone in a New York minute.
He also probably can't take the heartbreak of losing the Minny recruiting battles against Wojo for Henry, Sacar and (soon) Coffey.
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Wow. I thought he'd have another year, given that they made the tourney this year.
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No. I live in Minnesota and my daughter goes to U of M. There are about six people in the state who give a crap about the team...and that's only when the hockey team isn't also playing. St. John's isn't a great job and I understand the concern a coach may have about the future of a non-football conference, but coaching at MSG easily trumps Minnesota. If SJU were to match what he's getting, he'd be gone in a New York minute.
The answer would be yes, not no. But yeah, I basically live on campus and you're right, very few people give a rip about Minnesota basketball. Hockey is and always will be king...speaking of which, nice little match-up versus UMD tonight...GO GOPHS!
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Wow - I'm shocked. There's got to be more to that story. Mr. Hurley may have just shifted his view from the Windy City to a part of the world that he's more comfortable with.
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He also probably can't take the heartbreak of losing the Minny recruiting battles against Wojo for Henry, Sacar and (soon) Coffey.
Pitino didn't even offer Sacar, did he?
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Pitino didn't even offer Sacar, did he?
Nope. He was so beaten and disheartened knowing Wojo did offer. He knows Wojo always gets his man.
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Mark Jackson would be an interesting name as a former SJU alum.. Doesn't appear like he would get another shot at an NBA coaching job anytime soon. But, I doubt he would leave ESPN right now.
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Mark Jackson would be an interesting name as a former SJU alum.. Doesn't appear like he would get another shot at an NBA coaching job anytime soon. But, I doubt he would leave ESPN right now.
Jackson doesn't really get along with SJU administration.
Chris Mullin probably doesn't want to coach college kids.
Lavin did well at ESPN and hope he returns, he was actually pretty good.
Maybe the Manhattan coach gets a shot a this job.
SJU has a stud 2015 SG recruit in Sampson from Louisiana, no MU interest at the time, but if SJU cannot keep him someone else will be really happy.
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Jackson doesn't really get along with SJU administration.
Chris Mullin probably doesn't want to coach college kids.
Lavin did well at ESPN and hope he returns, he was actually pretty good.
Maybe the Manhattan coach gets a shot a this job.
SJU has a stud 2015 SG recruit in Sampson from Louisiana, no MU interest at the time, but if SJU cannot keep him someone else will be really happy.
Sampson has decomitted.
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Nope. He was so beaten and disheartened knowing Wojo did offer. He knows Wojo always gets his man.
This.
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Way too much inconsistency from the Johnnies the past few years. Some nights they were exceptional, other nights it looked like a playground pickup game. Without question, it's the best decision for the program.
Both St. Johns (New York) and DePaul (Chicago) having coaching openings could really be big time opportunity for the Big East. With both major markets open, and plenty of top recruits, the right coaches for the jobs could turn both teams into top-tier programs. I have more faith in St. Johns hiring a quality coach than DePaul, however.
Definitely this. Every time I watched the Johnnies under Lavin it looked like an ultra high-level YMCA team.
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I guess this report is no longer needed
http://nypost.com/2015/03/25/steve-lavin-st-johns-closing-in-on-3-year-contract-extension/
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This article is from 2 days ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/lavin-set-meet-sju-prez-talk-contract-extension-article-1.2162526
St. John’s coach Steve Lavin will meet with university president Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw in the coming days to discuss their visions of the basketball program’s future. It’s an annual end-of-season meeting that will likely include a conversation about giving Lavin a contract extension, the Daily News has learned.
Lavin has been a part of ongoing conversations with other school administrators regarding a possible contract extension and they continued on campus Wednesday. The contract talks have been part of evaluations that are conducted at the end of every season. But two sources told The News there is no agreement, as some published reports suggested.
Heh, remembered reading this too. Guess the contract extension was truly just "possible", as was getting canned. Wonder if it was regarding the extension, or the President saw differently than the "other school administrators", or the reporters just completely implied that coming off a decent year, with a year on his contract and going into end of year evaluations that an extension must be in the works.
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Sampson has decomitted.
So, no Harrison, Greene, Pointer, Branch and probably Obekpa. If Jordan turns pro (doubt), why would he want to stay.
Wow, SJU is really going to be bad.
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This sort of surprises me. How many programs, short of maybe a few blue bloods, would let a coach go directly after an NCAA tournament birth, especially when they weren't at that level before he came to the program?
Lavin didn't make St. John's elite, but he made them respectable and relevant (and they were neither before him), all while battling cancer. Unless this is something he also wanted, I don't really understand it.
Norm Roberts (Big East Conference) (2004–2010)
2004-05 Norm Roberts 9–18 3-13 12th
2005-06 Norm Roberts 12–15 5-11 15th
2006-07 Norm Roberts 16–15 7-9 11th
2007-08 Norm Roberts 11–19 5-13 14th
2008-09 Norm Roberts 16–18 6-12 13th CBI First Round
2009-10 Norm Roberts 17–16 6-12 13th NIT First Round
Norm Roberts: 81-101 32-70
Steve Lavin (Big East Conference) (2010–present)
2010-11 Steve Lavin 21–12 12–6 T-3rd NCAA Second Round
2011-12 Steve Lavin
Mike Dunlap 2–2
11–17 N/A
6–12 T-11th
2012-13 Steve Lavin 17–16 8–10 10th NIT Second Round
2013-14 Steve Lavin 20–13 10–8 T-3rd NIT First Round
2014-15 Steve Lavin 21–12 10–8 5th NCAA Second Round
Steve Lavin: 92-72 46-44
This is not a surprise for anyone out here in NYC metro. Lavin's a clown. Can't coach a lick. Never successful on recruiting trails since he'd pick only one prospect, recruit their heart out, and have no plan when they went elsewhere. The recruits he did land were the kind never good enough to elevate a team in college but NBA people drool over their athleticism and potential which always left the Johnnies high and dry. Throw in multiple disciplinary problems occurring nearly every month of his tenure and it's a no brainer.
Also, regarding his "elevation" of the program that's really down to Norm Roberts. Everyone knew Lavin's first team would go the NCAAs because Roberts left him a ton of talent in that senior class. Lavin never built on that until this past season when he had guys the NBA doesn't like (Harrison, Greene) and guys the NBA has overlooked in the past (Pointer) stick together and if they didn't make it, he'd be fired.
Finally, don't discount that basically the entire team bar Jordan (who may now transfer) has exhausted their eligibility. And there isn't much in the cupboard. Rebuild the likes of which we've seen the last 11 months.
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Looks like Lavin is interested in the ASU job. http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ncaab/asu/2015/03/27/source-steve-lavin-has-strong-interest-in-asu-job/70556760/ (http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ncaab/asu/2015/03/27/source-steve-lavin-has-strong-interest-in-asu-job/70556760/)
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What about Phil Jackson? He's got solid NYC ties.
Bobby Cremins
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Tim Cluess of Iona and the St. Johns AD are close. I know Cluess just signed a contract extension, but I am sure if they want him there is a way out of it.
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The top two names seem to be Mullin and Danny Hurley. If those fall through, Richard Pitino, Tim Cluess, and Steve Masiello next in line. That's what Zagoria is saying, and he's one voice I trust when it comes to the East Coast.
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One Twitter report...
@coaching_rumors: Mullin has already turned down St Johns & an offer has been made to Hurley.
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St' Johns faithful want Chris Mullins. You think Mark Jackson might be interested?
http://nypost.com/2015/03/28/the-sentimental-case-for-chris-mullin-to-reject-st-johns/
NYC high school coaches are glad to see Lavin go, he did not recruit the ciity that well (is that code for "pay them?
http://nypost.com/2015/03/28/why-high-school-coaches-arent-sad-to-see-steve-lavin-go/
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Danny Hurley just signed an extension with URI. I wonder if they go after Bobby now.
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Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein
BREAKING: St. John's has offered Chris Mullin its HC job + he is expected to accept, sources told @CBSSports.
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Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein
BREAKING: St. John's has offered Chris Mullin its HC job + he is expected to accept, sources told @CBSSports.
Hmm, interesting, but has he ever coached at any level of anything? I mean, he'll get the alumni and fan base fired up short term, but can he coach and recruit?
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Never mind, he has zero coaching experience, even as an assistant.
St John's & DePaul both f**ked up their hires I think.
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Mullin did work in NBA front offices. Similar experience to Hoiberg, probably hoping to replicate that.
So St. John's talked to and offered Mullin yesterday, he refused, then tried to work something out with Danny Hurley, he re-upped with URI, now they go back to Mullin and he says yes? What a clusterf**k.
SJU and DePaul both having seeming catastrophic weekends.
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Nah man, I like Mullin as a hire.
Guy is born and raised in NYC, played for the Johnnies, and is a HOF NBA player with an olympic gold medal, to boot
My guess is that recruits will eat that stuff up.
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Nah man, I like Mullin as a hire.
Guy is born and raised in NYC, played for the Johnnies, and is a HOF NBA player with an olympic gold medal, to boot
My guess is that recruits will eat that stuff up.
Their fans and alumni will eat it up, especially those who were around back in the day.
Why would a high school kid give a rip?
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Mullin did work in NBA front offices. Similar experience to Hoiberg, probably hoping to replicate that.
So St. John's talked to and offered Mullin yesterday, he refused, then tried to work something out with Danny Hurley, he re-upped with URI, now they go back to Mullin and he says yes? What a clusterf**k.
SJU and DePaul both having seeming catastrophic weekends.
You sure that Hurley was ever offered?
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You sure that Hurley was ever offered?
Conflicting reports. Sounds like Drew definitely got two offers, some say Hurley did get an offer, others are less specific.
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Their fans and alumni will eat it up, especially those who were around back in the day.
Why would a high school kid give a rip?
High School kids certainly seem to "give a rip" about our own coaching staff's playing history, and none are remotely as accomplished as Mullen.
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Never mind, he has zero coaching experience, even as an assistant.
St John's & DePaul both f**ked up their hires I think.
So what. How much experience did Steve Kerr have? These guys have been involved in high level basketball their whole lives and you're wondering if they can coach?
I might question his recruiting skills, but would never think to question his coaching knowledge.
The special thing about Cal or Coach K is their recruiting ability. There are a hundred guys that can coach a team of great players to victory. You need to remember that anytime Duke or Kentucky or NC or Kansas lose, it is to a team with inferior players. So there are a ton of guys that can coach x's and o's.
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So what. How much experience did Steve Kerr have? These guys have been involved in high level basketball their whole lives and you're wondering if they can coach?
I might question his recruiting skills, but would never think to question his coaching knowledge.
The special thing about Cal or Coach K is their recruiting ability. There are a hundred guys that can coach a team of great players to victory. You need to remember that anytime Duke or Kentucky or NC or Kansas lose, it is to a team with inferior players. So there are a ton of guys that can coach x's and o's.
I included the question about whether he can recruit in the very comment before the one you responded too.
As for the rest of your response, it's trivializing what goes into coaching at the high major level to base it merely off whether they've played, been around, etc. at that level before and know the x's and o's part of it. I'll throw an example out there - Sidney Moncrief- great player, intelligent player, an absolute disaster when he tried his hand at being a college head coach. And that's just one example which immeidately comes to mind.
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Rumor he may be able to lure Kentucky assistant Slice Rohrssen to the bench. If so, would give him an ace recruiter in the New York area. Might not be as bad of a hire as I first thought, though no idea if Mullin can coach or has the patience to spend all summer at AAU events.
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High School kids certainly seem to "give a rip" about our own coaching staff's playing history, and none are remotely as accomplished as Mullen.
Fair enough, I'll walk back my remark...they might care after you explain to them who Chris Mullin is, and what he did.
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St Johns needed to get the New York media paying attention to them again. This hire does that. Good for St Johns and good for the Big East.
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St Johns needed to get the New York media paying attention to them again. This hire does that. Good for St Johns and good for the Big East.
OK...so they pay attention for a few days and baseball season starts. Winning takes care of everything so you hire the best coach to help you win.
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OK...so they pay attention for a few days and baseball season starts. Winning takes care of everything so you hire the best coach to help you win.
Exactly. If Mullin takes the job, interesting hire. 51 years old, no coaching background, played in NBA from 1984-2001, was member of Dream Team in 1992 (23 years ago) and I doubt many recruits really know who he is. I believe he also has been living on west coast, so his ties to NY are based upon his legend status in high school and college, many years ago. If he hires a staff with NY AAU ties, etc., maybe it works out for SJ, I hope so after the Depaul fiasco.
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OK...so they pay attention for a few days and baseball season starts. Winning takes care of everything so you hire the best coach to help you win.
Baseball trumps everything in NYC as does winning, but this will be a big story again next fall and St Johns needs some attention. Don't underestimate how big a deal Mullin is in New York .
http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/greg-logan/anointing-chris-mullin-a-no-brainer-for-st-john-s-1.10148339
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I included the question about whether he can recruit in the very comment before the one you responded too.
As for the rest of your response, it's trivializing what goes into coaching at the high major level to base it merely off whether they've played, been around, etc. at that level before and know the x's and o's part of it. I'll throw an example out there - Sidney Moncrief- great player, intelligent player, an absolute disaster when he tried his hand at being a college head coach. And that's just one example which immeidately comes to mind.
Just as there have been veteran top assistants that have been a disaster.
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St. John's job interested World Peace
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12583438/metta-world-peace-expressed-interest-st-john-job
St. John's is closing in on the hiring of Chris Mullin as its next coach, but not before another alumnus at the school who found success in the NBA -- Metta World Peace -- formally registered his interest in the job.
In an interview from Italy on Sunday night with the NBA Insiders show on ESPN Radio, World Peace confirmed that he and his representatives contacted school officials to let them know that his interest in the job was genuine.
Known as Ron Artest in his St. John's days, World Peace is scheduled to make his on-court debut Monday with Pallacanestro Cantu after signing with the Italian League club earlier this week. Yet he insists that he is "totally, totally ready" to make the jump to coaching and described the St. John's opening as "the only thing I would stop my pro career for."
World Peace also promptly sent his congratulations Sunday as word spread about Mullin's impending hire, tweeting: "Go st.johns. Go chris mullin. This will be awesome."
In his interview with ESPN Radio, World Peace acknowledged that he would undoubtedly face skepticism about his ability to coach effectively, given the various controversies that swirled around him throughout his 15-year NBA career, but he quickly pointed to the fact that he has been coaching boys and girls high school basketball for the past year-plus as evidence of his seriousness in transitioning to a bench career.
"This is not something that I'm not prepared for," World Peace said of coaching. "It's not something I'm afraid of.
"If we're talking about basketball intellingence, you're talking to one of the best. If you're talking about my past ... you can't take away the past. It's impossible. If I could erase some of the things I did, I would. I would go on Google and actually erase the [Pacers-Pistons] brawl [in 2004] and erase things that I've done in my past. But I can't.
"I'm not afraid to address anything ever. I'm also not afraid to focus, lock in, and if I did have an opportunity to coach [St. John's], I would be in a zone, totally focused on the task."
In explaining his motivation to pursue the job, World Peace said his "only goal" and "only reason" was to lead the Red Storm to an NCAA title and added that even a Final Four appearance, in a city like New York, "would be a failure."
It must be noted, though, that the 35-year-old told Italian reporters this week upon his arrival at Cantu that he intends to play "five more years" until he turns 40. World Peace began the 2014-15 season playing for the Sichuan Blue Whales, appearing in just 15 games thanks to persistent knee trouble but quickly making himself available again as a free agent after the Chinese season ended in February.
And he might have found a perfect match in terms of eccentricity with his new team in Italy, where team officials have described the late-season signing of World Peace as "the coup of the century."
In another tweet this weekend after making his interest in the St. John's job public, World Peace said: "Leave the past in the past.Yes I am colorful and different.I love exactly who I was and who I am.No regrets.My future as a coach is diamond."
Via both Twitter and his interview with ESPN Radio, he cited numerous coaching role models, including his former NBA coaches such as Rick Carlisle, Phil Jackson, Rick Adelman and Mike Brown, Italian coaching legend Ettore Messina (now an assistant in San Antonio who coached World Peace under Brown with the Lakers) and ESPN's Fran Fraschilla, his former coach at St. John's.
"I've had so much great teaching and I'm one of the best defensive players to ever play the game on the wing," World Peace said. "This is a job I'm totally capable of doing. You can't question that. Now you can bring up the past, but anybody can bring up the past. Even my daughter brings up the past sometimes. She makes a lot of jokes about the things that I've done."
As for his desire to try to play his way back into the NBA after last appearing in the league last season with his hometown Knicks, World Peace said: "I could play in the NBA if I wanted to. I'm not washed up yet. ... By my second or third game [in Italy], I'll be amazing."
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Unlike DePaul, St Johns understands the importance of being bold with its hire.
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Unlike DePaul, St Johns understands the importance of being bold with its hire.
DePaul confused "bold" with "old".
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St. Johns just got a lot more interesting.
And DePaul just got worse.
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Might not be as bad of a hire as I first thought, though no idea if Mullin can coach or has the patience to spend all summer at AAU events.
I thought about that too, but Mullins could potentially never have to leave NYC to recruit with all the local talent. Just tell kids "go play hard in Mequon this weekend and say hi to all those other coaches. I'll be back here in NYC, the greatest city in the world, and I'll see you when you get back and you can stay here to play college ball at a top flight program."
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Between the hires (or hires to be) at DePaul and St. John's, the Johnnies going with Chris Mullin is definitely more intriguing. Don't know how successful he'll be, but he'll bring many fewer groans than what DePaul did.
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Between the hires (or hires to be) at DePaul and St. John's, the Johnnies going with Chris Mullin is definitely more intriguing. Don't know how successful he'll be, but he'll bring many fewer groans than what DePaul did.
Which says a lot about the intelligence of the average person today that a coach with an actual record of coaching (whether HC or AC) is considered to bring more groans than a former stud player who hasn't spent one hour on a coaching bench.
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A pretty good hire IMO and think it will improve St. John's and the conference. Never hurts having high profile coaches in getting extra media coverage.
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Not sure why this is such a shocking/risky development.
NBA teams for years have been hiring head coaches with no prior experience. Some of have been disasters (Vinny Del Negro, Kiki Vandeweghe), but some have been really good, i.e. Doc Rivers, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Kevin McHale, Steve Kerr. And many have been at least decent (Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson).
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Not sure why this is such a shocking/risky development.
NBA teams for years have been hiring head coaches with no prior experience. Some of have been disasters (Vinny Del Negro, Kiki Vandeweghe), but some have been really good, i.e. Doc Rivers, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Kevin McHale, Steve Kerr. And many have been at least decent (Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson).
College coaches need a critical skill ... the ability to recruit. None of these NBA coaches have to do this.
Chris Mullins can be the second coming of Phil Jackson but if they cannot recruit, they are not going to succeed at the college level.
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Can I just say I hope Lavin goes back to ESPN. I thought he was good. I believe he was beside Majerus when he made his "Gay guy" comment.
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Can I just say I hope Lavin goes back to ESPN. I thought he was good. I believe he was beside Majerus when he made his "Gay guy" comment.
One of my favorite moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RXaERVhNuU
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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/lupica-mullin-st-john-perfect-new-york-story-article-1.2166613
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Can I just say I hope Lavin goes back to ESPN FS1. I thought he was good. I believe he was beside Majerus when he made his "Gay guy" comment.
FTFY
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We'll see how this works out for St. John's. Since Carnesseca left, they've had a series of hires that ranged from OK to poor. I thought every one of them solid good choices at the time they were made, though. I thought Lavin would end up recruiting well at St. John's. I guess you never really know for sure.
I think our last three selections were good, but we've been lucky, too.
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One of my favorite moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RXaERVhNuU
That's awesome -- I hadn't seen that before.
Lavin and the anchor did a good job holding it together.
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#donedeal
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN
St. John's is bringing back former star Chris Mullin as head coach, sources told ESPN. Deal is done.
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*CHRIS MULLIN SAID TO ACCEPT ST. JOHN'S COACHING JOB: NYDN
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Chris Mullin to St. John's is an awful hire and a bullet dodged for Rutgers and Seton Hall | Politi Bits
http://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketball/index.ssf/2015/03/chris_mullin_to_st_johns_is_an_awful_hire_and_a_bu.html
(http://imgick.nj.com/home/njo-media/width620/img/realtimesports_impact/photo/9455639-mmmain.jpg)
Rejoice, Rutgers and Seton Hall. Finally, there is an athletic department that is about to make a decision that will help your struggling basketball programs.
St. John's is on the verge of hiring Chris Mullin as its head basketball coach, according to multiple reports. St. John's, convinced that reaching into its ancient glory will solve its current struggles, is about to anoint as its leader a basketball lifer who hasn't even been a graduate assistant in the college level, because, well, he's Chris Mullin!!
He will win the press conference, a hundred times over. Prominent St. John's alumni and nostalgic New York sports columnists will trip all over themselves to declare this day a rousing success for the Red Storm, because this is a program in desperate need of fresh leadership and, well, did we mention that he's Chris Mullin!
Chris Mullin, the Brooklyn-born basketball superstar. Chris Mullin, the New York state "Mr. Basketball" and top recruit for Louie Carnesecca. Chris Mullin, the three-time Big East Player of the Year and all-time leading scorer for the Redmen before most sensible people decided that Redmen was an offensive nickname for a college team.
Here's the problem: That current 16-year-old power forward? The high school star who is looking at the one-and-done machine at Kentucky as his easy path to NBA riches? He doesn't care about what happened in 1985 in Queens. He wasn't alive in 1985. Chances are, his parents didn't know or care what was happening in 1985.
I know this because, sadly, it's what's happening with Eddie Jordan at Rutgers. There isn't a soul with a Rutgers degree who didn't think that Jordan was the perfect man to clean up the mess in Piscataway after the Mike Rice scandal.
And he did clean up the mess. He set a great example for the young players on his roster. He demanded accountability and tried to teach his players the right way to behave. But he also lost 15 straight games to end last season, a situation that feels hopeless barring a recruiting miracle in the coming months.
Mullin will inherit a similar situation at St. John's, without the national scandal, given the current state of the depleted roster. It's the kind of situation that calls for a shark, somebody already deeply invested in the recruiting scene in New York, and not somebody who has spent the past decade and a half in NBA jobs on the West Coast.
St. John's should have backed up the money truck for Danny Hurley, who already has the recruiting inroads for a quicker turnaround. It should have even taken a flier on Steve Masiello, who has his warts but at least is swimming in the city recruiting waters.
Mullin? Maybe the high school coaches here will be as welcoming as the alumni and the NYC sportswriters. Maybe he'll hire the kind of coaching staff who will make up for his own recruiting inexperience. But to the young players born years after St. John's glory days, he would be just another unfamiliar face.
So congrats, Rutgers and Seton Hall. Finally, weeks after the end of your season, you have some good news to celebrate.
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Sources: Mullin agrees to be St. John's coach
(http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/38202266.jpg)
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Chris Mullin to St. John's is an awful hire and a bullet dodged for Rutgers and Seton Hall | Politi Bits
http://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketball/index.ssf/2015/03/chris_mullin_to_st_johns_is_an_awful_hire_and_a_bu.html
(https://blog-media.startribune.com/randball/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/18160502/hottakes.jpg)
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The more I hear, the more I like the hire, and I thought it was a disaster at first. Rumors that Mullin is best friends with Slice Rohrssen, the UK assistant that takes the lead on northeast recruiting. With a number of players uncommitted late, stealing Rohrssen from Cal's side could get them in the running for one of the uncommitted Mickey D's kids, like Cheick Diallo or Thomas Bryant.
The other rumored assistant is PJ Carlesimo. Having a guy who's been through X's and O's would help ease things quite a bit and let Mullin learn all the fine points of strategy. Carlesimo has also recruited the area (was Seton Hall coach for 12 years, albeit a while ago) and has NBA experience both as an assistant and head coach.
Mullin has a great personality and seems like a sharp guy. He'll certainly win the press conference, and if he is smart enough to surround himself with assistants that cover his weaknesses and help him build those into strengths, he could be a great hire.
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If Chris Mullin can get the right assistants, this is a home run hire. There are already a few articles w/quotes from prospects saying they would be interested in SJU if Mullin becomes the coach. The dude is a Hall of Famer and he played on the Dream Team w/Jordan and Magic. Kids will know who he is....Rumored assistants include "Slice" Rohrssen from Kentucky, Abdelmassih from Iowa State and Richardson from Arizona, all guys with NYC ties and big time recruiters.
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Chris Mullin to St. John's is an awful hire and a bullet dodged for Rutgers and Seton Hall | Politi Bits
Sour grapes from Jersey.
1. No way St Johns was going to consider Masiello and its not like Danny Hurley is the next Rick Patino.
2. Mullin was a three time big east player of the year, on the Dream Team, and a big time NBAer, despite not having a great deal of Athletic ability. He knows the game of basketball. He'll hire a local recruiter and he'll get a good xs and os guy. He'll remember how to find the gyms at Cardnal Hayes and Christ the King.
3. Chris Mullin is not Eddie Jordan.
4. "He will win the press conference, a hundred times over. Prominent St. John's alumni and nostalgic New York sports columnists will trip all over themselves to declare this day a rousing success for the Red Storm, because this is a program in desperate need of fresh leadership and, well, did we mention that he's Chris Mullin!"
Exactly.
Good news for St Johns, good news for the Big East and therefore--- good news for Marquette.
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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high-school/top-city-hs-players-mullin-sju-article-1.2166589
"Like most of the other standout high school basketball players in the city, Rawle Alkins has his sights set on eventually playing in the NBA. So when it comes time for him to pick a college, Alkins has to know the program he chooses can be a springboard into “the league.”
That’s why, Alkins said, Chris Mullin would be doing St. John’s a huge favor if he takes the job as head basketball coach.
“It would help knowing he used to be an NBA player and has a lot of NBA connections,” Alkins said of Mullin, who has been offered the job. “I think he can talk to scouts, GMs, coaches.”
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http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/high-school/top-city-hs-players-mullin-sju-article-1.2166589
"Like most of the other standout high school basketball players in the city, Rawle Alkins has his sights set on eventually playing in the NBA. So when it comes time for him to pick a college, Alkins has to know the program he chooses can be a springboard into “the league.”
That’s why, Alkins said, Chris Mullin would be doing St. John’s a huge favor if he takes the job as head basketball coach.
“It would help knowing he used to be an NBA player and has a lot of NBA connections,” Alkins said of Mullin, who has been offered the job. “I think he can talk to scouts, GMs, coaches.”
And what these kids learn on the trail is that every coach at the high major level has NBA connections. That alone will not sell a program to recruits.
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I think this is an amazing hire for St. Johns, and I can't speak highly enough of Chris Mullin. What is one of the main things that recruits all say they love about our coaching staff? "They all played basketball at a high level, so they can relate to me". I think he meets all qualifications for playing at a high level: 3x Big East player of the year, NBA all-star, and Gold Medalist on the Dream Team. I think that resume will impress any high school kid, especially from NYC. I think he will do a great job recruiting in the city, and not just New York. He grew up on the same streets as those kids(Brooklyn), he played on those streetball courts, he knows what they are going through and he has accomplished what they want to accomplish. And most of all I think he's a real good dude and a straight shooter. Many Johnnies fans criticized Lavin for being a BS artist. I think Mullin's down to earth and he's going to connect well with players.
And some people are criticizing him because he has "never coached before". I think he knows a thing or two about basketball and he'll do just fine.
The only negative is that he could be walking into a huge mess. He might be left with nothing next year, especially if Obekpa and Rysheed Jordan leave early. Give him time, hope that he can have at least a decent roster next year and I think he'll do great.
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That alone will not sell a program to recruits.
Nobody said it would. But Mullin's connections will help.
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The only negative is that he could be walking into a huge mess. He might be left with nothing next year, especially if Obekpa and Rysheed Jordan leave early. Give him time, hope that he can have at least a decent roster next year and I think he'll do great.
The biggest recruiting win he could get is to land Slice Rohrssen. That alone could help him bring in Cheick Diallo. If he can get Brandon Sampson back that'd be something to start building on. Maybe get a grad transfer or two, plum the JUCO route, there's a lot to sell at St. John's.
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Question for everyone falling all over Mullin's hire -
Name his sucesses since his retirement as a player?
Isaiah Thomas stunk at everything he tried after his playing days were through. Eddie Jordan, who had prior coaching experience, is working out poorly at his alma mater. As I mentioned yesterday, Sidney Moncrief, great player, intelligent player, disaster when he tried to coach after never having done so, like Mullin will be trying.
Why does hype and a big name always cloud people's judgments? And I'm talking almost any walk of life you care to name.
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He's a Hoiberg hire. Could work out well, could backfire. What I like about it is the excitement generated. Mullin will get the donors to open their checkbooks. If he gets solid assistants it could work well.
Can he coach? We'll see. But we knew Lavin couldn't and the team was going to suck next year anyway. Rather see a boom or bust hire like this than a "our ultimate goal is to make the tournament" hire like DePaul made.
Great...so you aspire to be a bubble team...
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He's a Hoiberg hire. Could work out well, could backfire. What I like about it is the excitement generated. Mullin will get the donors to open their checkbooks. If he gets solid assistants it could work well.
Can he coach? We'll see. But we knew Lavin couldn't and the team was going to suck next year anyway. Rather see a boom or bust hire like this than a "our ultimate goal is to make the tournament" hire like DePaul made.
Great...so you aspire to be a bubble team...
Short-term excitement makes it a good hire? Short-term excitement and donations that will dry up in a NY minute if they suck. And he likely has a massive rebuilding job next season. NY is not noted for their patience, regardless the circumstances.
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Short-term excitement makes it a good hire? Short-term excitement and donations that will dry up in a NY minute if they suck. And he likely has a massive rebuilding job next season. NY is not noted for their patience, regardless the circumstances.
If he sucks as a coach the excitement will end. ::) But right now there's plenty of excitement and its been a long time since NYC was excited about St Johns.
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Question for everyone falling all over Mullin's hire -
Name his sucesses since his retirement as a player?
Isaiah Thomas stunk at everything he tried after his playing days were through. Eddie Jordan, who had prior coaching experience, is working out poorly at his alma mater. As I mentioned yesterday, Sidney Moncrief, great player, intelligent player, disaster when he tried to coach after never having done so, like Mullin will be trying.
Why does hype and a big name always cloud people's judgments? And I'm talking almost any walk of life you care to name.
You asked if he has been successful in any walk of life since retiring from basketball. I can shed some light on who he is as a man.
I hope that all of you know the story of Chris Herren. If you haven't yet, PLEASE watch the ESPN 30 for 30 called "unguarded" which tells his story; I guarantee it will be the best thing you have ever watched. Trust Me. For those that don't know, he was a stud High school player from Fall River, Massachusetts. He went on to play at BC and was kicked out after failing a few drug tests. Most people gave up on him but Jerry Tarkanian gave him a shot at Fresno State. He continued to struggle with addiction but played extremely well. He then went on to the NBA where he played for the hometown Celtics. His addiction eventually got the best of him, and his life spiraled out of control. He tried rehab several times and continued to relapse and he overdosed 3 times. He battled extreme addiction for 14 years.
So what does this have to do with Mullin? After several failed recovery attempts Chris' situation seemed helpless. This is when Chris Mullin heard Herren's story through Steve Nash who was a mutual friend. Mullin, a former alcoholic who successfully went to rehab, reached out to Herren and told him his own story of addiction. Mullin told him what it really takes to get sober, and how badly you have to want it for yourself. Mullin inspired the broke Herren and convinced him to go back to rehab and Mullin paid for the whole thing($18,000 per month).
Chris Herren has now been sober for about 4 years and he goes around the country speaking to kids about his story. My dad knows him personally, and the work that Chris does is amazing. He has a foundation called Project Purple and part of the foundations work is to help addicts pay for expensive rehab. This was all inspired by Mullin's generosity. Chris Herren says that he would most likely be dead if it wasn't for Chris Mullin. I think this says a lot about the man that Mullin is. If you were a parent would you want your kid to play for him? I sure as hell would. Like I said earlier, Mullin is a no BS kind of guy that can really relate to people from all walks of life.
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Here is a link to Herren's 30 for 30. If you have never seen it I beg you to watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmBAgqWnt4
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Short-term excitement makes it a good hire? Short-term excitement and donations that will dry up in a NY minute if they suck. And he likely has a massive rebuilding job next season. NY is not noted for their patience, regardless the circumstances.
He could be Hoiberg, he could be Clyde Drexler. More likely he's somewhere in between. But better a hire like Mullin that inspires the fanbase that one like Leitao that incenses them.
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Question for everyone falling all over Mullin's hire -
Name his sucesses since his retirement as a player?
Isaiah Thomas stunk at everything he tried after his playing days were through. Eddie Jordan, who had prior coaching experience, is working out poorly at his alma mater. As I mentioned yesterday, Sidney Moncrief, great player, intelligent player, disaster when he tried to coach after never having done so, like Mullin will be trying.
Why does hype and a big name always cloud people's judgments? And I'm talking almost any walk of life you care to name.
Same exact thing could be said about Wojo, except for the fact that Mullin was an infinitely better player than Wojo?
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Same exact thing could be said about Wojo, except for the fact that Mullin was an infinitely better player than Wojo?
Say what? 15 years as an assistant at Duke is nothing? Seven years as associate coach at Duke, nothing? Two NCAA championships while an assistant at Duke, nothing? Assistant coach for USA basketball is nothing?
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The consensus on NYC sports talk radio yesterday was the St. John's fans were very happy with the hire, including everyone's favorite St. John's grad (and occasional blowhard) Mike Francesca.
The consensus was that he needed a good X&Os guy as a bench coach and he could sell recruits his story. The "I came from the same place, worked hard, played at St. John's, played on the Dream Team with Jordan, Bird, & Magic and am a Hall-of-Famer and you can be to if you listen to me."
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Same exact thing could be said about Wojo, except for the fact that Mullin was an infinitely better player than Wojo?
Huh? 15 year at Coach K's side vs.........
Yep. Same exact thing.
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Short-term excitement makes it a good hire? Short-term excitement and donations that will dry up in a NY minute if they suck. And he likely has a massive rebuilding job next season. NY is not noted for their patience, regardless the circumstances.
I agree.
People were pretty excited with Lavin. Though an LA guy, most realized UCLA standards are whack and figured a guy who could recruit like he could didn't need all that much X/O bullcrap. So, he hired Gene Keady to handle the strategy and finer points. As anyone with a pulse has noticed the last five years, the Johnnies played some of the dumbest basketball known to man and were renowned for their ill-discipline on the court and off the court. Guess that "wise Xs and Os strategy" hire wasn't the panacea everyone anticipated.
Lav hired NYC guys. Lav recruited NYC but had to keep an eye nationally because every single human involved in the NYC recruiting scene is rat scum looking for a handout and the Johnnies didn't budget enough money to make everyone happy. Does that change with Mullin? Does the AAU/handler cartel lower their price now that Mullin is coach? Or are they now in an even stronger position knowing they have an inexperienced figurehead to deal with who will be desperate for any sense of success?
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Lav hired NYC guys. Lav recruited NYC but had to keep an eye nationally because every single human involved in the NYC recruiting scene is rat scum looking for a handout and the Johnnies didn't budget enough money to make everyone happy. Does that change with Mullin? Does the AAU/handler cartel lower their price now that Mullin is coach? Or are they now in an even stronger position knowing they have an inexperienced figurehead to deal with who will be desperate for any sense of success?
In the short term, satisfying the boosters will lead to an influx of cash. Donations will be up, which *should* translate to more resources for Mullin's program. As far as recruiting, I really think it comes down to Slice Rohrssen. Get him in and recruiting truly will take care of itself. He won't allow any more of the handler BS than necessary.
Lavin's biggest problem I feel was that he never had a backup plan for anything. When he missed on his blue-chip targets, it wasn't like he got a bunch of fringe top-100 guys or solid 3-stars as replacements, he just got...no one. This year's St. John's team has freaking TWENTY guys listed on their roster, yet only 6 guys averaged double-digit minutes. Why? Because he filled out the scholarships with utter crap when he swung and missed. That's why St. John's was always underachieving, because while they had some truly spectacular top-end talent, the rest of their roster was a barren wasteland.
Strategy-wise it was the same. When the Johnnies could fly and run they could compete with anyone, but when they lost, more often than not, they lost bad. The majority of their losses under Lavin were by double-digits. Pretty much win or get embarrassed.
That alone doesn't mean Mullin will be an upgrade. He could certainly fall flat on his face. It will likely be a rough first year because the returning roster, especially if Obekpa and Jordan leave, will be inexperienced and talent-deficient. But he's Chris Mullin, so he'll be given time to learn. If he can coach half as well as he played, they'll be in great hands. If not, at least St. John's is trying, which is more than we can say of DePaul.
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Say what? 15 years as an assistant at Duke is nothing? Seven years as associate coach at Duke, nothing? Two NCAA championships while an assistant at Duke, nothing? Assistant coach for USA basketball is nothing?
Being a great dental assistant for 15 years and being a dentist are two completely different things. Same thing applies with coaching. Both Mullins and Wojo in there own way have been around the game in different fashion, but neither translates at all in their new endeavors.
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Being a great dental assistant for 15 years and being a dentist are two completely different things. Same thing applies with coaching. Both Mullins and Wojo in there own way have been around the game in different fashion, but neither translates at all in their new endeavors.
So, in your words:
Dental assistant : Dentist :: Assistant Coach : Head Coach
That's not a good analogy. At least in Wojo's case.
Maybe if you used PA and Doctor, but even then, they're still both doctors.
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So, in your words:
Dental assistant : Dentist :: Assistant Coach : Head Coach
That's not a good analogy. At least in Wojo's case.
Maybe if you used PA and Doctor, but even then, they're still both doctors.
An assistant head coach and an actual head coach are light years removed from each other. One position has virtually zero accountability while the other has almost all of the accountability. Some assistant coaches go on to be good head coaches, but many don't.
And why is Wojo an exception to the analogy? Kevin Ollie actually won a NC his first season after being a long time UConn assistant to Calhoun and you have posters on this forum questioning his long term viability. Here's yet another example of complete homerism that occurs fairly regularly on this forum.
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An assistant head coach and an actual head coach are light years removed from each other. One position has virtually zero accountability while the other has almost all of the accountability. Some assistant coaches go on to be good head coaches, but many don't.
And why is Wojo an exception to the analogy? Kevin Ollie actually won a NC his first season after being a long time UConn assistant to Calhoun and you have posters on this forum questioning his long term viability. Here's yet another example of complete homerism that occurs fairly regularly on this forum.
There was nothing "homer" about what I said. You were the one that likened a dental assistant to an assistant coach. I said why I thought that was wrong, or at best, just not a good analogy in Wojo's case.
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Nice start for Mullin.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/st-johns/chris-mullin-hires-top-recruiter-matt-abdelmassih-1.10169035
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Mullin just got 4star Juco PF Darien Williams. Williams committed to ISU this fall but followed Matt Abdelmassih to NYC
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Mullin just got 4star Juco PF Darien Williams. Williams committed to ISU this fall but followed Matt Abdelmassih to NYC
Mullin hired Abdel knowing he'd be a package deal. He should ask Willard how that worked for him this past campaign.
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Question for everyone falling all over Mullin's hire -
Name his sucesses since his retirement as a player?
Isaiah Thomas stunk at everything he tried after his playing days were through. Eddie Jordan, who had prior coaching experience, is working out poorly at his alma mater. As I mentioned yesterday, Sidney Moncrief, great player, intelligent player, disaster when he tried to coach after never having done so, like Mullin will be trying.
Why does hype and a big name always cloud people's judgments? And I'm talking almost any walk of life you care to name.
The marketing term is branding.
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Mullin hired Abdel knowing he'd be a package deal. He should ask Willard how that worked for him this past campaign.
The situations are different. Hiring an established Division I assistant with recruiting chops who brings along a guy he's been recruiting does not compare to bringing in a high school coach whose trying to make the jump to college.
Even the high school coach route can work out. See DePaul and Billy Garrett sr. and jr.
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In the short term, satisfying the boosters will lead to an influx of cash. Donations will be up, which *should* translate to more resources for Mullin's program. As far as recruiting, I really think it comes down to Slice Rohrssen. Get him in and recruiting truly will take care of itself. He won't allow any more of the handler BS than necessary.
Lavin's biggest problem I feel was that he never had a backup plan for anything. When he missed on his blue-chip targets, it wasn't like he got a bunch of fringe top-100 guys or solid 3-stars as replacements, he just got...no one. This year's St. John's team has freaking TWENTY guys listed on their roster, yet only 6 guys averaged double-digit minutes. Why? Because he filled out the scholarships with utter crap when he swung and missed. That's why St. John's was always underachieving, because while they had some truly spectacular top-end talent, the rest of their roster was a barren wasteland.
Strategy-wise it was the same. When the Johnnies could fly and run they could compete with anyone, but when they lost, more often than not, they lost bad. The majority of their losses under Lavin were by double-digits. Pretty much win or get embarrassed.
That alone doesn't mean Mullin will be an upgrade. He could certainly fall flat on his face. It will likely be a rough first year because the returning roster, especially if Obekpa and Jordan leave, will be inexperienced and talent-deficient. But he's Chris Mullin, so he'll be given time to learn. If he can coach half as well as he played, they'll be in great hands. If not, at least St. John's is trying, which is more than we can say of DePaul.
Saw Jet post this over on Holyland
@EvanDaniels: A source tells Scout that Barry "Slice" Rohrssen is finalizing a deal to become an assistant at St. John's to work for Chris Mullin.
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Saw Jet post this over on Holyland
@EvanDaniels: A source tells Scout that Barry "Slice" Rohrssen is finalizing a deal to become an assistant at St. John's to work for Chris Mullin.
St John's will be tough to beat in NYC with Slice and Abdelmassih. Could still use an experienced tactician, but recruiting shouldn't be a problem. Have a feeling this could land Cheick Diallo. SJU now has the guys that were leading his recruitment for Kentucky and Iowa State.