Lavin Out

[XUFan09]

These administrators don't understand that a change like this sets your program back a couple of years. First, you'll probably lose at least one or more current recruits who were going to come because of the Lavin relationship. Next, it delays ongoing recruiting. This is not a good thing for the next few years.

Was the current scenario good, though? They made one tournament in the last few years and lost in the first game. Now four of the six regular rotation players are graduating, and both of the remaining guys are questionable for next year. If they don't return, Alibegovic and Balamou are your top returning players.

People talk about consistency. St. John's was consistently a mediocre major conference program that might rise to a respectable level every now and then. It's like that middle-of-the-road NBA team who fluctuates between a 7 or 8 seed in the playoffs and one of the first teams out. Is anyone happy with that? For a program with such a great history, St. John's should expect better and it was highly questionable that Lavin would deliver that in the future.

[stever20]

These administrators don't understand that a change like this sets your program back a couple of years. First, you'll probably lose at least one or more current recruits who were going to come because of the Lavin relationship. Next, it delays ongoing recruiting. This is not a good thing for the next few years.

Was the current scenario good, though? They made one tournament in the last few years and lost in the first game. Now four of the six regular rotation players are graduating, and both of the remaining guys are questionable for next year. If they don't return, Alibegovic and Balamou are your top returning players.

People talk about consistency. St. John's was consistently a mediocre major conference program that might rise to a respectable level every now and then. It's like that middle-of-the-road NBA team who fluctuates between a 7 or 8 seed in the playoffs and one of the first teams out. Is anyone happy with that? For a program with such a great history, St. John's should expect better and it was highly questionable that Lavin would deliver that in the future.

my thinking is St John's wasn't going to be good next year- so if there ever was a time to make the change, this would be it.

[Burrito]

So who are realistic options at this point? one of the Hurleys, Masiello or maybe Mark Jackson

[Steve Lavin]

I am thrilled with this decision. I think we got used to Lavin after 5 years and he is a genuinely nice guy. That's why so many people are upset. He's a father figure to our players and they love him. But unfortunately you can be the nicest and handsome guy ever with the hottest wife, but not be a good coach. He started off recruiting with a bang but that wore off in the last 2 years and top recruits caught on that he was not the answer if they wanted to win. Chris Carlin (a major NYC sports media head here on TV) said he was pleasantly surprised and figured we would settle for the Lavin mediocrity, but it's encouraging that we didn't. I agree. It shows we want more. We want to be legitimate. It shows we won't settle for 2 NCAA's in 5 years with top 100 kids. We won't settle for 0 postseason wins.

I'd rather bite the bullet now and sacrifice 1-2 years of rebuilding to get a real coach in here. The quicker we make the change, the quicker we will see results. We were never getting Lovett, Diallo, Pappagiannis, and Lav lost Briscoe to UK after recruiting him like the next MJ for what felt like 10 years. It was time for him to go. He recruits athletes though…I want basketball players. I want scoring big men who box out and rebound. I want PG's who can shoot but also play the role of team leader and constantly get assists. I want dead eye shooters even if they aren't all that athletic. I want consistent FT shooting. Lavin teams don't have this. There is no skill on Lavin teams. Just lots of really fast, bouncy guys who score on fast breaks and iso ball. That's not the type of team you recruit to have staying power in the top 25 or consistently make tourney runs. Lavin teams were maddeningly inconsistent. One minute ranked 15th, next minute we looked like the team that Robert Morris blew out. And though we often fought against the blue bloods valiantly, we never won against them (except that 1 miracle year in 2011).

Lavin Pros:
-Great ambassador
-Great father figure, positive influence on kids
-Kids love him
-Brings exposure and media attention
-Media savvy
-Recruited well in beginning (faded towards end)
-Hot wife
-Full head of hair in middle age

Lavin Cons:
-Cannot play team basketball
-Cannot blend players and create chemistry
-Cannot recruit skilled players
-Cannot win in postseason
-Cannot win the big game
-Very very slow starts
-Cannot maintain consistency

With that being said, my choice would be either Hurley. Can't go wrong. Would be fun to have both Hurley's in the Big East. If not, Mullin would be my 2nd choice with the caveat that he brings some very talented and experienced assistants/recruiters with him. Many experts are saying if Mullin coached, boosters would donate tons of money for upgrades. We will see, but as long as it's a Hurley or Mullin I will be very happy.

[BEhomer]

you say you want change because you don't want to settle for mediocrity and the names i hear are hurley's and massiello's. they may be up and coming guys but still are vastly unproven as far as being able to recruit big time players and win games in the ncaa tourney. you will still be in wait n see mode for the next 2 years.

that's why i question this move unless you get pitino or donovan to come here.

[XUFan09]

you say you want change because you don't want to settle for mediocrity and the names i hear are hurley's and massiello's. they may be up and coming guys but still are vastly unproven as far as being able to recruit big time players and win games in the ncaa tourney. you will still be in wait n see mode for the next 2 years.

that's why i question this move unless you get pitino or donovan to come here.

There's a necessary risk in trying to move from mediocrity to success.

[HoosierPal]

you say you want change because you don't want to settle for mediocrity and the names i hear are hurley's and massiello's. they may be up and coming guys but still are vastly unproven as far as being able to recruit big time players and win games in the ncaa tourney. you will still be in wait n see mode for the next 2 years.

that's why i question this move unless you get pitino or donovan to come here.

I more than agree with you and glad you brought this up. Really, hiring a coach from Buffalo or Manhattan isn't more than a "safe hire". If you are looking for a grand slam with a current non-P5 coach, you are looking at Few, Marshall, Smart, or Miller. I have nothing against Hurley or Massiello, and hope they have fine careers. But they won't turn any heads. No current recruits remember Hurley at Duke. Their parents might, but they won't. Massiello is best remember for lying on his resume. A top assistant at one of the' blue blood schools' would bring more pizzaz.

[DudeAnon]

Bravo to St. Johns. Lavin seems like a decent guy but he was probably the worst coach in the league. Now go get a big name and own NYC!

[Jet915]

These administrators don't understand that a change like this sets your program back a couple of years. First, you'll probably lose at least one or more current recruits who were going to come because of the Lavin relationship. Next, it delays ongoing recruiting. This is not a good thing for the next few years.

After this year, it's pretty much a rebuilding project anyways so it's probably good timing anyways.

[billyjack]

Huge for the BE with both of these hires.
NY and Chicago.
Imagine if both teams get hot.
Great opportunity here.