By ADAM ZAGORIA
Rick Pitino says he turned over most of the St. John’s roster in part because “a good number” of the former players “disrespected” former coach Mike Anderson by not going to class.
“It wasn’t all the players, but a good number of them treated the ex-coach with disrespect,” the first-year St. John’s coach and Naismith Hall of Famer said Wednesday morning on WFAN.
“They weren’t going to class, they just weren’t getting St. John’s. They weren’t doing it the right way, and I told them it wasn’t gonna work. They weren’t fitting in.”
Pitino and his staff have brought in 12 new players — including 10 transfers — retaining only big man Joel Soriano and forward Drissa Traore from Anderson’s team that finished 18-15 and missed the NCAA Tournament.
At his introductory press conference at Madison Square Garden in March, Pitino questioned the “character” of many of Anderson’s players:
“A lot of players probably won’t be back on this team because they’re probably not a good fit for me. …It takes a certain type of player to play for me…and if you’re not, it’s just not a good fit, it just doesn’t work.”
He added: “I asked everybody about the character on the basketball team. To be honest with all of you, I didn’t get glowing reports. I did not get glowing reports, but I did get a glowing report on Joel Soriano.”
Anderson is suing St. John’s for $45.6 million. He had $11.4 million remaining on his contract and is seeking an additional $34.2 million for punitive damages.
The ex-coach claims St. John’s only fired him “for cause” to avoid paying his contract money so they could use the money to hire Pitino. St. John’s avoided paying the remaining amount of Anderson’s contract by claiming the termination was for a justifiable cause.
In a similar situation, UConn paid Kevin Ollie $11 million in a buyout and then settled for $3.9 million to cover claimed damages to his reputation and attorney fees on his suit.
The 71-year-old Pitino says he loves coaching and hopes he can get his players to compete at a level defensively that meets his rigorous standards. The Red Storm are set to play in a loaded Big East where five teams — including defending NCAA champion UConn — are ranked in preseason polls.
“If I could get to the point where we have 12-13 kids with a high motor, then we’re gonna win,” he said.
As for his own future, he said: “I am more passionate today than I was when I was 30 because my window’s closing. Let’s face it, I’m 71. I signed a six-year contract, and I’m hoping I can finish it.”
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