SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Now that St. John’s has struck out on Billy Donovan and Paul Hewitt, look for for athletic director Chris Monasch to target Cornell coach Steve Donahue.
Donahue led the Big Red into the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, where they lost early Friday morning to No. 1 Kentucky, 62-45, at the Carrier Dome.
“It’s hard to explain how great these guys to coach are in this day and age. They’re a throwback. It’s like you’re coaching kids from the ’50s. They’re corny and goofy and fun-loving, yet they compete like animals when they’re on the court. It’s the best to coach,” Donahue said in a hallway after the game.
“I’m more sad that I’m not going to practice with those guys again.”
St. John’s will also likely consider Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, yet Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver’s office told me Friday morning St. John’s has not contacted them about the coach.
Greenberg does not have strong relationships with the New York AAU coaches, which could hurt him.
Greenberg has also reportedly told his players he will return to the ACC school.
Donahue has won three Ivy League titles and taken the Big Red to three straight NCAA tournaments. He is 146-138 in 10 years at Cornell.
Cornell doesn’t offer scholarships so there will be questions about whether Donahue can recruit, especially in the rough and tumble world of New York City and New Jersey basketball.
The same questions would be raised should Seton Hall consider Donahue for its opening.
Seton Hall has interviewed Siena’s Fran McCaffery, Robert Morris’ Mike Rice, Vermont’s Mike Lonergan and Iona’s Kevin Willard. Richmond coach Chris Mooney and former Seton Hall standout Adrian Griffin are also in the mix.
Now that Donahue is done for the season, St. John’s and Seton Hall can contact him for interviews.
“Obviously, I get calls about different things,” Donahue said Wednesday. “What goes through my mind is I shouldn’t be talking about this…because it’s unfair for this group.”
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