Jon Rothstein: Mullin Likely To Take SJU Job

[otis]

Financially Mullin does not need the StJohn's head coachin job.

Mullin accepted the St.John's job because he wants to be the St.John's head men's basketball coach and to succeed in that position. Mullin knows what is needed to win as a college coach and he believes he can succeed.

I am impressed that Mullin has chosen a lifestyle change from being an NBA executive that includes the non glamorous duties of sitting on wooden bleachers watching AAU and high school games, making home visits to recruits, etc.

It is irrelevant if some teen recruits don't know of Mullin because they will soon know all about him. Mullin will distinguish himself as a college coach and as a tireless worker.

Every coaching hire carries risks of failure but IMO this is a very good hire.

 

[ADORAZ]

So, I know basically nothing about Matt Abdelmassih but the fact he's at Iowa State could be huge since we're recruiting Diallo. Any chance there would be a connection?

 

[Marillac]

I'll ask once more, is Chris andJax good friends? Could mark be the x and o's guy?

Won't happen, move on.

Excuse my ignorance but who is your new avatar?

Matt Abdelmassih. Former team manager under Norm, who has made quite a name for himself as a recruiter and tireless worker at Iowa State. I think some on this board are getting a tiny bit carried away about him, but he certainly is a promising young coach that won't be outworked and is a very good recruiter. He's close with Mullin. He's from Pennsylvania originally. Matt and Slice recruiting for Mullin would just be silly good.

 

[redfan259999888]

I'll ask once more, is Chris andJax good friends? Could mark be the x and o's guy?

Do you really see Mark Jackson agreeing to being an Assistaant Coach in College?

He's not coaching now, and maybe if he was buddies with Mullin that maybe he would, but nm I didn't know that I was gonna get killed for asking.
I guess he really is hated on these boards

 

[mjmaherjr]

I'll ask once more, is Chris andJax good friends? Could mark be the x and o's guy?

Won't happen, move on.

Excuse my ignorance but who is your new avatar?

Matt Abdelmassih. Former team manager under Norm, who has made quite a name for himself as a recruiter and tireless worker at Iowa State. I think some on this board are getting a tiny bit carried away about him, but he certainly is a promising young coach that won't be outworked and is a very good recruiter. He's close with Mullin. He's from Pennsylvania originally. Matt and Slice recruiting for Mullin would just be silly good.

he has A LOT of ties to recruits not necessarily just in high school that could help us immediately which is what we need most

One could argue he is our most important coach target for short term help in regards to our short roster

 

[Jack Williams]

So, I know basically nothing about Matt Abdelmassih but the fact he's at Iowa State could be huge since we're recruiting Diallo. Any chance there would be a connection?

If we get Matt A I'd feel very good about chances with Diallo. Very very good

 

[rcatalano]

I have to believe that Val Ackerman is elated with this hire!

 

[MJDinkins]

@TimBontemps: However, @HowieKussoy writes Barry Rohrrsen could join Mullin's staff. Would be a heck of a place for him to start:http://t.co/t9SlPJzTCm

Did they attend Xaverian together? Slice would be an awesome hire. Watch how quickly those NYC High School and AAU coaches become oh so cooperative.

That's what I thought, as well. I thought they attended HS together.

 

[Marillac]

Financially Mullin does not need the StJohn's head coachin job.

Mullin accepted the St.John's job because he wants to be the St.John's head men's basketball coach and to succeed in that position. Mullin knows what is needed to win as a college coach and he believes he can succeed.

I am impressed that Mullin has chosen a lifestyle change from being an NBA executive that includes the non glamorous duties of sitting on wooden bleachers watching AAU and high school games, making home visits to recruits, etc.

It is irrelevant if some teen recruits don't know of Mullin because they will soon know all about him. Mullin will distinguish himself as a college coach and as a tireless worker.

Every coaching hire carries risks of failure but IMO this is a very good hire.

Good post. I agree with all of it. This is a weird moment.

 

[ADORAZ]

I'll ask once more, is Chris andJax good friends? Could mark be the x and o's guy?

Won't happen, move on.

Excuse my ignorance but who is your new avatar?

Matt Abdelmassih. Former team manager under Norm, who has made quite a name for himself as a recruiter and tireless worker at Iowa State. I think some on this board are getting a tiny bit carried away about him, but he certainly is a promising young coach that won't be outworked and is a very good recruiter. He's close with Mullin. He's from Pennsylvania originally. Matt and Slice recruiting for Mullin would just be silly good.

Thanks. I wasn't a big SJU fan until going to grad school there beginning of Lavin era. (Note: I originally wrote error instead of era. Freudian slip?)

 

[beast of the east]

I began this weekend preparing to be disappointed soon. Lavin out. 3-4 years of rebuilding. God forbid we hire one more guy who would load up on excuses and proclaim progress even though we were losing. Even the Lavin years of moderate success after the Norm years of a plummeting program after the Jarvis disintegration of a program seemed really nice. After all, we were competitive most of the time in the long ago Lavin era, right?

Reporters who were against the move yesterday have literally turned the page and are on board. So many of us are excited, can't wait to see what recruits may come here now. One thing for certain, I believe. Mullin will be spotted in far more moldy gyms that smell of sweat and socks than he will be seen in trendy restaurants. You ask me, I think he'd rather be in a couple of gyms recruiting kids and grabbing a dirty water dog between stops, than dining at Nobu.

Some people complained that Lavin couldn't find the St. John's campus, that Monasch had no control over him, Lavin lived in Manhattan, not particularly an easy commute to campus. Not sure where Mullin will live, but I would say it's a pretty strong guess that there will be a hoop nearby.

Jay Wright was raised as a candidate when the Kentucky job opened up. Politely he declined, saying "I already have my dream job." I hope Chris feels the same way, because for me, the others who occupied the position of coach since Coach Carnesecca retired were merely keeping a seat warm for Chris.

 

[paultzman]

@TimBontemps: However, @HowieKussoy writes Barry Rohrrsen could join Mullin's staff. Would be a heck of a place for him to start:http://t.co/t9SlPJzTCm

Did they attend Xaverian together? Slice would be an awesome hire. Watch how quickly those NYC High School and AAU coaches become oh so cooperative.

That's what I thought, as well. I thought they attended HS together.

Yes

 

[Marillac]

@TimBontemps: However, @HowieKussoy writes Barry Rohrrsen could join Mullin's staff. Would be a heck of a place for him to start:http://t.co/t9SlPJzTCm

Did they attend Xaverian together? Slice would be an awesome hire. Watch how quickly those NYC High School and AAU coaches become oh so cooperative.

That's what I thought, as well. I thought they attended HS together.

Slice graduated in 1978. Mullin transferred from Power Memorial to Xavieran in 1979 and graduated in 1981. They just missed each other as students.

 

[MCNPA]

I wanna see Slice and/or Book Richardson as first assistant and Abdelmessih as our second. Would be beastly...

 

[MJDinkins]

I wanna see Slice and/or Book Richardson as first assistant and Abdelmessih as our second. Would be beastly...

Likewise, MCN.

Frankly, I think Mullin will be tough (on the recruiting trail) in his own right. Imagine, Slice or Book and Abdelmassih to his left and right.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I wanna see Slice and/or Book Richardson as first assistant and Abdelmessih as our second. Would be beastly...

Likewise, MCN.

Frankly, I think Mullin will be tough (on the recruiting trail) in his own right. Imagine, Slice or Book and Abdelmassih to his left and right.

Honestly that could end up being the best or one of top 3 staffs in country

 

[SJU14]

While many kids might not know the legacy of Chris Mullin like many of you guys, these kids' parents do and these AAU and HS coaches definitely do. Winning over parents and coaches is just as important in winning over kids.

 

[ccnobz]

I wanna see Slice and/or Book Richardson as first assistant and Abdelmessih as our second. Would be beastly...

Likewise, MCN.

Frankly, I think Mullin will be tough (on the recruiting trail) in his own right. Imagine, Slice or Book and Abdelmassih to his left and right.

Indeed Slice and Mullin would be some combo. Wow.

 

[ccnobz]

I think we all understand who is in play for for the recruiting spots, but any thoughts as to who is in play for x's and o's?

X and O- you don't think Mullin can coach in game? Come on he knows the game inside and out

Have you read my posts the week? Have you seen my avatar the last two weeks? I love the guy. That written, Slice and Matty A are both recruit-first assistants and Mullin hasn't been in the college game for a long time. It'd be nice to have a guy that knows the college game and is familiar with our Big East foes. Wanting an x's and o's guy to join the staff in no way undermines my faith in Mullin.

Understood, I wasn't attacking you. Slice and Mullin would be unstoppable.

 

[redken]

I'll ask once more, is Chris andJax good friends? Could mark be the x and o's guy?

Won't happen, move on.

Excuse my ignorance but who is your new avatar?

Matt Abdelmassih. Former team manager under Norm, who has made quite a name for himself as a recruiter and tireless worker at Iowa State. I think some on this board are getting a tiny bit carried away about him, but he certainly is a promising young coach that won't be outworked and is a very good recruiter. He's close with Mullin. He's from Pennsylvania originally. Matt and Slice recruiting for Mullin would just be silly good.

Disappointed to learn that it's not Paultzman's photo. It's how I always pictured him: trendy shaved head (or is that bald?), neatly trimmed beard, and wrinkle-free. Could've sworn at saw him at the BE tournament.

That said, would absolutely love to see Matt here.