Citing multiple sources “in the athletic department, on the board of trustees and in the booster sector,” the New York Post is reporting that St. John’s coach Norm Roberts will be let go after the season ends.
“Chris Monasch, the athletic director, has been very supportive of Coach Roberts throughout his tenure and he’ll comment when the season’s over as he’s stated. Coach Roberts is on campus today and we’re going to do the Red Storm report.”
Roberts added in a text: “Waiting to see if we get into NIT. Won’t decide until season’s officially over.”
Roberts is 81-100 in six years at the Queens school.
The Post listed Iona’s Kevin Willard, Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg, Hofstra’s Tom Pecora and Harvard coach Tommy Amaker as potential targets and said the school was prepared to offer Roberts’ replacement $1.5 million annually for six years.
Sources said neither Rutgers nor St. John’s had reached out yet to Willard.
(Photo courtesy New York Post)
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“He has as much as integrity as anyone I’ve known,” one source told the Post. “He is as classy as anyone I’ve ever known. That’s what makes this so hard.”
St. John’s (17-15) lost Wednesday to Marquette, 57-55, in the second round of the Big East tournament but remains NIT eligible.
“We are still NIT eligible and the selection is on Sunday night,” St. John’s spokesman Mark Fratto said.