Anderson - is he really the guy ?

[JohnnyFan]

Is Mike Anderson the Guy?  Well, like it or not, he is our coach for next year.  I, personally, am adjusting my perspective.  No longer hopeful for this year, I will be watching games through the lens of player development.  This most prominently includes Posh, Wheeler, Soriano, Pinzon, Stanely, Nywie and Wusu.  

Over the next 12 months, CMA will be judged in the following categories:

1.  Player retention
2.  Transfer Acquisitions
3.  2022-23 OOC Schedule
4.  Team Performance (including getting a faster start) 
5.  High School Recruiting

I am optimistic about Shanley and Cragg.  I also think CMA (although flawed) could elevate us to a position where the St. John's job is more attractive.  Time will tell and I am hoping for the best in all five of the aforementioned categories.

 

[monte]

Mike Cragg has been awfully quiet on social media lately. He was posting almost daily when we were winning last year. I'm pretty disappointed to see he's hiding from the failure this season has been, and calling the fans "too harsh" instead of getting in front of it, and accepting responsibility. Would be pretty fun for him to run an #AsktheAD nowadays. 

Hopefully he sees the writing on the wall and rids us of Mike Anderson. I actually personally like Cragg, and hope he doesn't make the mistake of being in denial of what a mistake it was to hire CMA, and cost himself his job and reputation too. 










 

He's been calling the fans "too harsh"? He should be thankful that, after 2 decades, he still has enough of a fan base who care enough to be harsh. But, ya see, Mike Cragg is not an SJU alum and/or long time die hard fan who has suffered like we have. Yes he wants to win, but at the end of the day it's a job. For us, we live and die with the program. It's emotional. . No comparison.  That's not meant as a knock on him, but that's the reality of it. Coaches come and go. School Presidents come and go. ADs come snd go. Die hard fans do not. 

Maybe I missed something, but PharmDJohnnie11 put quotes around "too harsh".   Was Cragg quoted as saying this, and if he did say it to this poster, was it in a private email where he also offered the guy free seatback tickets to a game?    I think Cragg is very thankful to the fanbase who has stuck with the team through thick and thin, who continue to support the team at athletic department events and efforts.    

Cragg is lucky?  There are some tremendously supportive fans who have stuck with the team and don't follow it from behind a keyboard or TV screen.   He inherited a small student body in attendance, a small base of season ticket holders, and a small base of donors, and on multiple occasions expresses his thanks to that group.

For his part, he attended a Duke game recently to say goodbye to Coach K, and wore St. John's gear, which was noted by fans, media, and coaches.    He was also ready to drive himself to the Nova away game in a blizzard, until the snow made it impossible to get out the city.   Just like our fans who never went to SJU or never graduated, or don't even attend games, he is VERY much a fan of SJU basketball, and at games one of the most vocal out of his seat rooters.

Let's be real.   I've been a season ticket holder for over 40 years and he is the most accessible, responsive, respectful, and probably brightest AD we've had in that period.    He is the easiest AD to get to know, and any fan can find him and interact with him in person or email.   .

Let's not take a comment which is unverified, and build a negative narrative around it.

Your "keyboard and TV screen" comments have gotten so old, it's beyond pathetic. Maybe come up what something new at some point to try and insult our fanbase? I'm sure Cragg wants a winner here, but I have no personal bias for or against him, so please do not compare him, or Shanley, or CMA  to our longtime fanbase. Whether those long time fans chose to watch on TV or attend games. Oh and last time I checked, SJU makes millions off of their TV contract. So obviously TV viewership is pretty important. 

We had 2 million viewers for SJU vs Georgetown on Fox, the third highest viewership ever.   So you are one of 2 million.   If you feel insulted by refuting the notion that the 40 or 50 posters here who are local and don't show up somehow are supporting the program, I don't know what to tell you.    Do you really think that a local SJU grad who follows the basketball team equates to support?   Do you really think that it's enough to pledge your loyalty but will only come back to the games when the team is a national contender?    Do you really think that by not supporting the team in any way beyond TV supports the cost of running a Division one sports program with 16 varsity sports?     I don't want to make this personal, but to continually bash and insult the school, the Catholic church, coaches and administrators is what is tiresome.  You can call yourself whatever you'd like, and people who have your mindset may like your posts, but I will tell you that people who really support the school, who come out to games, wouldn't agree with your sentiments. 


 

I come on here to discuss, debate and vent. I tell it like I see it, good and bad , based on my own life experiences with the church, the school, etc. If I've crossed the line and/or being constantly repetitive, the mods will address it. Just because my views of the school, church, Cragg, CMA, etc etc etc, don't align with yours, does not mean that they are wrong. That's what you don't seem to get. You're a smart guy Beast, but you are testa dura.  And anyone who doesn't agree with you, rather then having a conversion about it, you chose to insult them. I ain't going back and forth with you on this any more. I'll ignore your posts from this day forward, I'm asking you to do the same to mine. 

 

[JohnnyFan]

For those scoring at home and have no Italian blood "Testa Dura" means hard-headed.

Also, I always found it ironic that the Jets' former quarterback (Vinny Testaverde) could be translated to "Vinny Green Head".  Very fitting.

 

[PharmDJohnnie11]

Mike Cragg has been awfully quiet on social media lately. He was posting almost daily when we were winning last year. I'm pretty disappointed to see he's hiding from the failure this season has been, and calling the fans "too harsh" instead of getting in front of it, and accepting responsibility. Would be pretty fun for him to run an #AsktheAD nowadays. 

Hopefully he sees the writing on the wall and rids us of Mike Anderson. I actually personally like Cragg, and hope he doesn't make the mistake of being in denial of what a mistake it was to hire CMA, and cost himself his job and reputation too. 






 

He's been calling the fans "too harsh"? He should be thankful that, after 2 decades, he still has enough of a fan base who care enough to be harsh. But, ya see, Mike Cragg is not an SJU alum and/or long time die hard fan who has suffered like we have. Yes he wants to win, but at the end of the day it's a job. For us, we live and die with the program. It's emotional. . No comparison.  That's not meant as a knock on him, but that's the reality of it. Coaches come and go. School Presidents come and go. ADs come snd go. Die hard fans do not. 

Maybe I missed something, but PharmDJohnnie11 put quotes around "too harsh".   Was Cragg quoted as saying this, and if he did say it to this poster, was it in a private email where he also offered the guy free seatback tickets to a game?    I think Cragg is very thankful to the fanbase who has stuck with the team through thick and thin, who continue to support the team at athletic department events and efforts.    

Cragg is lucky?  There are some tremendously supportive fans who have stuck with the team and don't follow it from behind a keyboard or TV screen.   He inherited a small student body in attendance, a small base of season ticket holders, and a small base of donors, and on multiple occasions expresses his thanks to that group.

For his part, he attended a Duke game recently to say goodbye to Coach K, and wore St. John's gear, which was noted by fans, media, and coaches.    He was also ready to drive himself to the Nova away game in a blizzard, until the snow made it impossible to get out the city.   Just like our fans who never went to SJU or never graduated, or don't even attend games, he is VERY much a fan of SJU basketball, and at games one of the most vocal out of his seat rooters.

Let's be real.   I've been a season ticket holder for over 40 years and he is the most accessible, responsive, respectful, and probably brightest AD we've had in that period.    He is the easiest AD to get to know, and any fan can find him and interact with him in person or email.   .

Let's not take a comment which is unverified, and build a negative narrative around it.

The quote is real. It wasn’t in an email with me but If you want me to post it here I can. I just assumed pretty much everyone knew this already because it’s been talked about on social media. I actually really like MC so I really have no interest in posting that here. 

I think Cragg is great, especially compared to prior ADs, but I’m just disappointed that he hasn’t had a social media presence this year after the season turned south and that he thinks the fans are too critical.

This season has been a gigantic disappointment and fans who spend thousands of dollars on season tickets, like myself and really any fan who invests their time in this program, have the right to be disappointed.  

I’m hopeful that Father Shanley, and MC recognize the issues with this program and take appropriate action to correct them.

As you said MC is a bright guy so I have no doubt that he knows the problems. I just hope he will take action or be given the latitude to do so. 


 

 

[paultzman]

NM

 

[Johnny Rapper]

Mike Cragg has been awfully quiet on social media lately. He was posting almost daily when we were winning last year. I'm pretty disappointed to see he's hiding from the failure this season has been, and calling the fans "too harsh" instead of getting in front of it, and accepting responsibility. Would be pretty fun for him to run an #AsktheAD nowadays. 

Hopefully he sees the writing on the wall and rids us of Mike Anderson. I actually personally like Cragg, and hope he doesn't make the mistake of being in denial of what a mistake it was to hire CMA, and cost himself his job and reputation too. 



 

He's been calling the fans "too harsh"? He should be thankful that, after 2 decades, he still has enough of a fan base who care enough to be harsh. But, ya see, Mike Cragg is not an SJU alum and/or long time die hard fan who has suffered like we have. Yes he wants to win, but at the end of the day it's a job. For us, we live and die with the program. It's emotional. . No comparison.  That's not meant as a knock on him, but that's the reality of it. Coaches come and go. School Presidents come and go. ADs come snd go. Die hard fans do not. 

Whether you want to admit it or not, Cragg did a poor job with the initial coaching search and an even worse job in giving Anderson an extension. What was the rush for an extension anyway, was Anderson going anywhere? Heck no. But there was certainly reason for waiting on an extension. 
1. Nine transfers….  True there were many taking advantage of the lenient transfer rules and some wanted more playing time, but some would have been starters with significant minutes on this years team.
2. Inner team turmoil and conflict…. As an AD was he not aware of the team conflict going on, or why the team chose not to go to the NIT? Even if there was a question, the prudent thing to do would be to wait. Not to mention the DeMeo situation. 

Of course Cragg is  going to support Anderson even if he losses every game. Not doing so would expose his mistake in rushing to sign Anderson’s extension. 

I know many here are all in on Cragg and he has done some very good things but no matter which way you slice it, his urgency to give Anderson an extension may come back to bite him in the butt. 

 

[monte]

Mike Cragg has been awfully quiet on social media lately. He was posting almost daily when we were winning last year. I'm pretty disappointed to see he's hiding from the failure this season has been, and calling the fans "too harsh" instead of getting in front of it, and accepting responsibility. Would be pretty fun for him to run an #AsktheAD nowadays. 

Hopefully he sees the writing on the wall and rids us of Mike Anderson. I actually personally like Cragg, and hope he doesn't make the mistake of being in denial of what a mistake it was to hire CMA, and cost himself his job and reputation too. 




 

He's been calling the fans "too harsh"? He should be thankful that, after 2 decades, he still has enough of a fan base who care enough to be harsh. But, ya see, Mike Cragg is not an SJU alum and/or long time die hard fan who has suffered like we have. Yes he wants to win, but at the end of the day it's a job. For us, we live and die with the program. It's emotional. . No comparison.  That's not meant as a knock on him, but that's the reality of it. Coaches come and go. School Presidents come and go. ADs come snd go. Die hard fans do not. 

Whether you want to admit it or not, Cragg did a poor job with the initial coaching search and an even worse job in giving Anderson an extension. What was the rush for an extension anyway, was Anderson going anywhere? Heck no. But there was certainly reason for waiting on an extension. 
1. Nine transfers….  True there were many taking advantage of the lenient transfer rules and some wanted more playing time, but some would have been starters with significant minutes on this years team.
2. Inner team turmoil and conflict…. As an AD was he not aware of the team conflict going on, or why the team chose not to go to the NIT? Even if there was a question, the prudent thing to do would be to wait. Not to mention the DeMeo situation. 

Of course Cragg is  going to support Anderson even if he losses every game. Not doing so would expose his mistake in rushing to sign Anderson’s extension. 

I know many here are all in on Cragg and he has done some very good things but no matter which way you slice it, his urgency to give Anderson an extension may come back to bite him in the butt. 

CMA's agent has a history of renegotiating at the most opportune times. He did it at Missou and then he played Missou a against Ark to see who would ante up the most money. I surmise something like that may have happened here. Good for him and CMA, time will tell if it's good for SJU. If it doesn't work out, that's gonna be one hell of a bad gamble by Cragg. 

 

[fordham96]

Again extension is not the issue. Way too much concern on adding years. As long as their is a reasonable buyout could not care if a coach has 10 years left on deal.  College contracts are not guaranteed for every year.

Extensions are mostly done so a coach is not hamstrung with recruiting, they can recruit with some security. 

 

[monte]

Again extension is not the issue. Way too much concern on adding years. As long as their is a reasonable buyout could not care if a coach has 10 years left on deal.  College contracts are not guaranteed for every year.

Extensions are mostly done so a coach is not hamstrung with recruiting, they can recruit with some security. 

CMA flirted with other jobs a number of times in his 5 years at Missou. At least 2 of those times his agent managed to negotiate an extension with a nice raise out of Missou. He undoubtedly played Missou against Ark in an effort for get as much as he could out of Ark. Even going to far as to say that he planned on being at Missou a very long time, right before bolting for Ark. There's a pattern or behavior here. Again, I suspect this was a case of striking while the iron was hot to get a raise, and knowing he had Cragg by the balls. The extension was secondary. 

 

[NCJohnnie]

I have no way of knowing what the buyout clause says on CMA's contract and strongly suspect 99% of the posters on redmen.com don't know either, but it's pretty obvious CMA is not going anywhere in the near future. Perfectly understandable to criticize and for sure season has been disappointing, but not sure why any St. John's fan wouldn't root for him to succeed; it's not like the team hasn't been extremely competitive in most of its losses. We are just not that far away from a solid program imho.      

 

[JohnnyFan]

Serious question for Jermain Attoil:

At the time of the coaching search, did you have a preferred candidate?

Regarding Mike Cragg, he is a well known, respected and networked athletic director.  If we were to abruptly fire him (which I don't think you are suggesting), then good luck finding a quality candidate to take this job.  We would be back drawing from the pool of Monasch and Goff.

For the immediate future, I am willing to take my chances with Cragg, Shanley and Anderson.  As frustrated as I am with the season, jumping to another change doesn't seem like a good business decision. 

 

 

[monte]

Serious question for Jermain Attoil:

At the time of the coaching search, did you have a preferred candidate?

Regarding Mike Cragg, he is a well known, respected and networked athletic director.  If we were to abruptly fire him (which I don't think you are suggesting), then good luck finding a quality candidate to take this job.  We would be back drawing from the pool of Monasch and Goff.

For the immediate future, I am willing to take my chances with Cragg, Shanley and Anderson.  As frustrated as I am with the season, jumping to another change doesn't seem like a good business decision. 
 

I know you weren't referring to me JF, but in no way am I suggesting the we make any kind of change, and I'm still rooting like hell for CMA to succeed. But I am not now, nor have I ever been, nearly as sold on Cragg and CMA as many on this board are. I hope to be wrong, but there's absolutely nothing in the short tenure of either that makes me feel confident that they are the men who will resurrect our program. But it's out of my hands so I'll just sit back and hope for the best. 

 

[JohnnyFan]

Serious question for Jermain Attoil:

At the time of the coaching search, did you have a preferred candidate?

Regarding Mike Cragg, he is a well known, respected and networked athletic director.  If we were to abruptly fire him (which I don't think you are suggesting), then good luck finding a quality candidate to take this job.  We would be back drawing from the pool of Monasch and Goff.

For the immediate future, I am willing to take my chances with Cragg, Shanley and Anderson.  As frustrated as I am with the season, jumping to another change doesn't seem like a good business decision. 

 

I know you weren't referring to me JF, but in no way am I suggesting the we make any kind of change, and I'm still rooting like hell for CMA to succeed. But I am not now, nor have I ever been, nearly as sold on Cragg and CMA as many on this board are. I hope to be wrong, but there's absolutely nothing in the short tenure of either that makes me feel confident that they are the men who will resurrect our program. But it's out of my hands so I'll just sit back and hope for the best. 

That's fair and I have no idea if this leadership team will be successful.  I will say that St. John's is a challenging assignment for any athletic director.  My guess is it's even harder than Cragg imagined when he took the job.  As you mentioned, let's hope for the best.  Maybe we catch a break and they are able to jump start some sustainable growth.  If not.....we try again.  It's tiresome, but no other choice. 

 

[Johnny Rapper]

Serious question for Jermain Attoil:

At the time of the coaching search, did you have a preferred candidate?

Regarding Mike Cragg, he is a well known, respected and networked athletic director.  If we were to abruptly fire him (which I don't think you are suggesting), then good luck finding a quality candidate to take this job.  We would be back drawing from the pool of Monasch and Goff.

For the immediate future, I am willing to take my chances with Cragg, Shanley and Anderson.  As frustrated as I am with the season, jumping to another change doesn't seem like a good business decision. 


 

Well I certainly would have preferred Porter Moser, but he didn’t want the job. But I do believe that the search was not extensive enough and was rushed. Just because you ,I and the people in this site don’t know of other candidates doesn’t mean there were none out there. A great AD may have looked into hiring a current coach (not one that was fired) and with the right offer may have come on. 

Who calling for Cragg or Anderson to be fired at this point. Each could certainly improve and just might. No where on this site have I called for Anderson’s firing…. Yet. I just ask that he be held to the same standards as all past coaches and if he does not make it to the Dance after a fair amount of time, then he be let go.

I hope they both work out and are successful. But my definition of successful is perennially finishing the top5 of the league and a regular invite to the dance.

 

[NCJohnnie]

I liked Porter Moser as well at the time, but he didn't want to come here and he hasn't been exactly knocking them dead at Oklahoma (14-14 overall 4-11 in conference) so let's give this staff a little time before we write them off.

 

[fordham96]

That all maybe true I don't know but that does not change my point.  The extension itself is not a punitive issue for SJU.

Monte post=460083
CMA flirted with other jobs a number of times in his 5 years at Missou. At least 2 of those times his agent managed to negotiate an extension with a nice raise out of Missou. He undoubtedly played Missou against Ark in an effort for get as much as he could out of Ark. Even going to far as to say that he planned on being at Missou a very long time, right before bolting for Ark. There's a pattern or behavior here. Again, I suspect this was a case of striking while the iron was hot to get a raise, and knowing he had Cragg by the balls. The extension was secondary. 

 

[fordham96]

He is in his 3rd year already at OU?

NCJohnnie post=460091
I liked Porter Moser as well at the time, but he didn't want to come here and he hasn't been exactly knocking them dead at Oklahoma (14-14 overall 4-11 in conference) so let's give this staff a little time before we write them off.

 

[bamafan]

He is in his 3rd year already at OU?

NCJohnnie post=460091
I liked Porter Moser as well at the time, but he didn't want to come here and he hasn't been exactly knocking them dead at Oklahoma (14-14 overall 4-11 in conference) so let's give this staff a little time before we write them off.

First

 

[fordham96]

Zach on what went wrong this year...


https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1497694613792043009?t=bNnb7i0lipN3vUQKdtgZ3g&s=19

 

[boo haarvey]

Zach on what went wrong this year...


https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1497694613792043009?t=bNnb7i0lipN3vUQKdtgZ3g&s=19

Terrific thoughtful piece.  Spot on!  There are a multitude of reasons for the lack of success.  Ultimately, the lion’s share of the blame falls on the staff.