SYRACUSE — Former St. John’s legend Chris Mullin has been offered the St. John’s job and is expected to become the next head coach at his alma mater, a source confirmed to SNY.tv Sunday evening.
“He’s been offered the job and I’m 99 percent sure he’s going to take it,” the source said.
Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com first reported the news, adding that a press conference could take place Tuesday or Wednesday on the eve of the Final Four.
The 51-year-old Naismith Hall of Famer has no head coaching experience and is currently an advisor to the Sacramento Kings. He would succeed Steve Lavin, who parted ways with the program on Friday after five years. Multiple sources said the Mullin-to-St. John’s hire was in the works before Lavin departed.
Earlier Sunday, Dan Hurley, who was considered another major candidate, agreed to a six-year extension with Rhode Island.
Adam Zagoria talks St. John’s tabbing Chris Mullin to be their next head coach and which assistants he could hire to round out his staff. http://web.sny.tv/media/video.jsp?content_id=57490783
Mullin will need to set about hiring a strong staff to help him transition to college and coaching in general. Lavin initially had Mike Dunlap helping him as in in-game coach, and Mullin will need a strong associate head or coach or lieutenant to play a similar role. He also needs killer recruiters. Iona assistant Jared Grasso, arguably the top recruiter in the metropolitan area, would be a strong hire. Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassih is a St. John’s product and another strong recruiter Mullin could consider. He’s the lead recruiter on Our Savior New American forward Cheick Diallo. Arizona assistant Book Richardson is a New York native and former New York Gauchos coach who could return home and help attract local and national talent. Mullin is also close with Kentucky assistant Barry “Slice” Rohrssen — a fellow Brooklyn boy. Rohrssen helped Kentucky beat St. John’s for Isaiah Briscoe and has also been involved in recruiting Diallo. “College is so different than the pros,” Louisville coach Rick Pitino said here Saturday. “You’ve got to understand the game. The recruiting game is what it’s all about. There’s a reason why Kentucky’s Kentucky. Not only are they well coached, recruiting is a big part of that, and they get the best players. You’ve got to go out there, and it’s a whole different animal. I’ve coached at both levels. You’re dealing with a different animal all together.” St. John’s strongest commit, Louisiana guard Brandon Sampson, re-opened his recruitment after Lavin departed, but is still considering the Johnnies. “Yes, they are under consideration,” Jeff Jones, Sampson’s high school coach, told SNY.tv Sunday evening. “That’s a great hire for the University to get a Hall of Fame alumnus.” Lavin had two other commits in guards Samir Doughty of Philadelphia and Sammy Barnes-Thompkins of California. Photo: USA Today Sports
