Hypothetical Coaching Changes

[Demon22]

But Popovich is a realistic possibility, right?

[ConnersvilleBulldog]

I think Marquette would try to get Brad Stevens or Gregg Popovich.

If LaVall leaves Butler, I think they'd try to get Phil Jackson, Coach K, or the Ghost of John Wooden.

[MullinMayhem]

The way things are going I'd be stunned if Mullin stays. He will likely resign. Bobby Hurley next man up.

[billyjack]

I dkn't know much about Bobby Hurley's coaching style, but in terms of results his Arizona State teams have had erratic results...

This season, 2019:
- W vs Kansas.
- W vs Mississippi State.
- L at Vanderbilt by 16.
- L at home to Princeton.
- L at home to Washington State by 21.
- L at Stanford by 14.

Last season, 2018:
- W at Kansas.
- W vs Xavier.
- L at Colorado.
- L at Oregon State.
- lose in the first game of Pac-12 tourney.
- rise to #3 in the polls, then barely make the NCAA's, losing in the First Four.

Just really head-scratching to see these results.

Similar results to Mullin-- blows out Syracuse, beats Duke, beats Villanova, loses to Incarnate Word and Delaware State.

You want the Johnnies to make a huge leap?
Let Mullin coach through 2020.
Billy Donovan's contract ends with Oklahoma City.
Get Billy The Kid back to the Garden.
Short of that, get Pitino back to the Garden.

Mad Dog voice:
"St John's... I mean c'mon! You're New York City's team! You play in Madison Square Garden. You're in the Big East. You gotta pursue big names. Bobby Hurley can be 3rd in line. You gotta go all out on Billy Donovan!"

SUMMARY:
If Mullin steps down after this season, then get Rick Pitino.
If Mullin steps down in 2020, then pursue Billy Donovan.
If Donovan says no in 2020, then get Rick Pitino.

[adoraz]

I realize you're a Providence guy, but why would St. John's go after Pitino? If low major colleges aren't willing to take the risk, why should St. John's?

Donovan is a nice thought but very low odds on that happening, and no way should we waste another year under Mullin for a low probability of getting Donovan in 2020.

If we don't make the Tournament, then first step is for Mullin to step down. Step two would be going after a coach like Buffalo's.

[stever20]

frankly the odds of Donovan or Pitino coaching in the Big East are slim and none. If they come back to college(and that's a HUGE if), it will be for a top 5-10 type of program. Right now, like it or not, St John's isn't on that level in the least.....

[gtmoBlue]

Because Rick Pitino is a HOF HC. He wins and kids want to play for him. He, like Calipari, has not been found guilty of anything...regardless of issues at their schools.

I'd Take Pitino Sr. in a heartbeat, if we could muster the salary at Creighton.
(we'd probably have to switch to Adidas...)

[adoraz]

Because Rick Pitino is a HOF HC. He wins and kids want to play for him. He, like Calipari, has not been found guilty of anything...regardless of issues at their schools.

I'd Take Pitino Sr. in a heartbeat, if we could muster the salary at Creighton.
(we'd probably have to switch to Adidas...)

Is he really a winner if his wins are vacated? Is he really a HOF HC if nobody wants him?

I get what you're saying, he could be a good hire and I think there are a couple hundred mid/low major D1 programs that should take a chance on him. However, SJU has tried several risky hires in a row and none of them have worked out. The NCAA would probably open an office in Queens just to keep an eye on him, so forget about the 5 stars coming.

St. John's is a good HC job with VERY low expectations (McDermott would be a king at SJU), a dedicated fan base, and a high salary. We need to stick to a proven mid major coach rather than drawing another wild card.

[billyjack]

Because Rick Pitino is a HOF HC. He wins and kids want to play for him. He, like Calipari, has not been found guilty of anything...regardless of issues at their schools.

I'd Take Pitino Sr. in a heartbeat, if we could muster the salary at Creighton.
(we'd probably have to switch to Adidas...)

Thank you gtmo, exactly.

Pitino is coaching in Greece right now. Taking the St John's is basically the perfect place to make his comeback. He's a NY guy. He's a Big East guy. He's a Garden guy. He'll win. He'll recruit. He'll get asses in the seats. He'll get the Johnnies ranked. He'll get the Johnnies deep in the tourney. He'll play fun basketball. He'll create great TV. He's 66 and can coach another 8 to 10 years. It's such a perfect situation for him to make his comeback. And he's said that he anxiously wants to coach again.

It's irrelevant that no other team has taken a bite at Pitino. No other job makes sense for him outside of a couple of schools, including the Johnnies. St. John's. UCLA. End of list.

I mean, he's not going to take the Colgate or Canisius jobs. It has to be a blueblood or former blueblood that has had multiple frustrations over many years with an impatient pissed off fanbase, with tradition, that is ready to freak out.

Again, UCLA and St John's fit that perfectly. NC State probably fits too. Maybe UNLV. Marquette if they had sucked this year. That idea. A team like Oregon State would not be a good fit. Crazy enough, a wildcard team like San Francisco if they had sucked this year.

The only other oddball scenario would be if a school in Massachusetts was desperately trying to get into the Big East... they would hire Pitino on a 10 year contract and get our attention. So like, if Boston University gave a f-ck, hire him back after 38 years away, get asses in the seats, and get a Big East invitation. Same goes for Northeastern if they wanted to be bold. To a lesser extent Holy Cross too.

[adoraz]

Because Rick Pitino is a HOF HC. He wins and kids want to play for him. He, like Calipari, has not been found guilty of anything...regardless of issues at their schools.

I'd Take Pitino Sr. in a heartbeat, if we could muster the salary at Creighton.
(we'd probably have to switch to Adidas...)

Thank you gtmo, exactly.

Pitino is coaching in Greece right now. Taking the St John's is basically the perfect place to make his comeback. He's a NY guy. He's a Big East guy. He's a Garden guy. He'll win. He'll recruit. He'll get asses in the seats. He'll get the Johnnies ranked. He'll get the Johnnies deep in the tourney. He'll play fun basketball. He'll create great TV. He's 66 and can coach another 8 to 10 years. It's such a perfect situation for him to make his comeback. And he's said that he anxiously wants to coach again.

It's irrelevant that no other team has taken a bite at Pitino. No other job makes sense for him outside of a couple of schools, including the Johnnies. St. John's. UCLA. End of list.

I mean, he's not going to take the Colgate or Canisius jobs. It has to be a blueblood or former blueblood that has had multiple frustrations over many years with an impatient pissed off fanbase, with tradition, that is ready to freak out.

Again, UCLA and St John's fit that perfectly. NC State probably fits too. Maybe UNLV. Marquette if they had sucked this year. That idea. A team like Oregon State would not be a good fit. Crazy enough, a wildcard team like San Francisco if they had sucked this year.

The only other oddball scenario would be if a school in Massachusetts was desperately trying to get into the Big East... they would hire Pitino on a 10 year contract and get our attention. So like, if Boston University gave a f-ck, hire him back after 38 years away, get asses in the seats, and get a Big East invitation. Same goes for Northeastern if they wanted to be bold. To a lesser extent Holy Cross too.

You guys make good cases to be honest, but I don't believe success would be a given.

In order to compete, recruits are the biggest factor and I just can't see him pulling in top recruits given the microscope that would be on him.

His last conference championship was 9 years ago, his last FF 14 years ago, and his only NCAA championship 23 years ago. Cheating, especially excessive cheating, has consequences.

My undergrad hired Tubby Smith, who won a Championship more recently than Pitino (21 years ago). Right now we are fifth place in the Big South. Good hire for the school? Of course. But he would've been a terrible hire for any major conference.

Anyways, for now I just hope everyone at St. John's is united in wanting Mullin out if we don't want the NCAA. If that happens, then I'd take Pitino (or anyone else) over Mullin next year.