Lupica on Mullin hire

[beast of the east]

Alcoholism is a progressive chronic relapsing illness. The fact that Chris was able to address it and keep it in check is all to his credit and not an insignificant asset for a coach, given the prevalence of that disease and related others in our society.

Later in life Bill W conceded that there may be alcoholics who cannot achieve sobriety. I've heard Chris speak on the subject of his recovery, and uses all the buzzwords that go along with someone attached to a 12 step program, including not proclaiming victory, but maintaining that sobriety is a one day at a time journey.

You are a professional, so I'm not saying anything you don't already know.

 

[Knight]

One day at a time.

 

[jumbo_peanuts]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

 

[we are sju]

I don't think Mullin would have taken job if he didn't think he could do it. My only worry is recrutiing. As far as exposure for the prograsm, Mullin knocked Final Four off the back page of both papers. Pretty impressive.

 

[redmaninalbany]

In the worst case scenario, he fails.
And you know....he will know it himself.
and he won't embarrass the school.
He will transition himself out smoothly.
But, frankly, he can't do much worse if he gets a decent staff.
So, I don't see much downside from where we are..it's hard to get
too damaged falling from mediocrity.

 

[Joeche]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

First of all, that is total paranoia. We're talking about someone who made himself what he is today. As a college player, as a pro, as a member of the Dream Team and as a basketball executive, CM worked his tail off to learn and absorb what there was to achieve greatness. Why would you be "scared" that he wouldn't do that as a coach? Secondly, hiring CM as head coach of SJ basketball would be the same as you owning a business and hiring your first born. No matter what he does, they can't fire him! So, my advice is to sit back, be patient and let the guy do what he's always done, ie. work his tail off. I expect his love of the game and for St John's will provide us with some great basketball.

 

[beast of the east]

I don't think Mullin would have taken job if he didn't think he could do it. My only worry is recrutiing. As far as exposure for the prograsm, Mullin knocked Final Four off the back page of both papers. Pretty impressive.

I'll go one step further although I'm not in his head (but should be). My belief is that he didn't come here to get us back to the dance once in a while, or even most years. I believe he came here with a sky's the limit attitude to make us an elite program. I don't think there is a job in the country he would want more - not anywhere. My sincere belief is he wants back into the Final Four for SJU sooner than later, and to go home with some wins this time.

 

[Sherman Sheridan & Grant]

I don't think Mullin would have taken job if he didn't think he could do it. My only worry is recrutiing. As far as exposure for the prograsm, Mullin knocked Final Four off the back page of both papers. Pretty impressive.

I'll go one step further although I'm not in his head (but should be). My belief is that he didn't come here to get us back to the dance once in a while, or even most years. I believe he came here with a sky's the limit attitude to make us an elite program. I don't think there is a job in the country he would want more - not anywhere. My sincere belief is he wants back into the Final Four for SJU sooner than later, and to go home with some wins this time.

Is his acceptance of the "calling" going to happen Beast?

 

[BuckNasty85]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

First of all, that is total paranoia. We're talking about someone who made himself what he is today. As a college player, as a pro, as a member of the Dream Team and as a basketball executive, CM worked his tail off to learn and absorb what there was to achieve greatness. Why would you be "scared" that he wouldn't do that as a coach? Secondly, hiring CM as head coach of SJ basketball would be the same as you owning a business and hiring your first born. No matter what he does, they can't fire him! So, my advice is to sit back, be patient and let the guy do what he's always done, ie. work his tail off. I expect his love of the game and for St John's will provide us with some great basketball.

Not for nothing but he is taking over at St. John's, not Duke, Kentucky or North Carolina. We all think he is going to work his a$$ off to do an incredible job here, he knows how to win, and he will bring in the right staff to support his efforts, but there are no guarantees. If he doesn't do well here people will eventually get fed up and start calling for his head just like they would with any other coach.

 

[monte]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

First of all, that is total paranoia. We're talking about someone who made himself what he is today. As a college player, as a pro, as a member of the Dream Team and as a basketball executive, CM worked his tail off to learn and absorb what there was to achieve greatness. Why would you be "scared" that he wouldn't do that as a coach? Secondly, hiring CM as head coach of SJ basketball would be the same as you owning a business and hiring your first born. No matter what he does, they can't fire him! So, my advice is to sit back, be patient and let the guy do what he's always done, ie. work his tail off. I expect his love of the game and for St John's will provide us with some great basketball.

Not for nothing but he is taking over at St. John's, not Duke, Kentucky or North Carolina. We all think he is going to work his a$$ off to do an incredible job here, he knows how to win, and he will bring in the right staff to support his efforts, but there are no guarantees. If he doesn't do well here people will eventually get fed up and start calling for his head just like they would with any other coach.

No one will have higher expectations for Chris than Chris. He is not signing on here to continue the mediocrity. As others have said, if its not working out Chris will bow out gracefully. No one will need to call for his head. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[paultzman]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

First of all, that is total paranoia. We're talking about someone who made himself what he is today. As a college player, as a pro, as a member of the Dream Team and as a basketball executive, CM worked his tail off to learn and absorb what there was to achieve greatness. Why would you be "scared" that he wouldn't do that as a coach? Secondly, hiring CM as head coach of SJ basketball would be the same as you owning a business and hiring your first born. No matter what he does, they can't fire him! So, my advice is to sit back, be patient and let the guy do what he's always done, ie. work his tail off. I expect his love of the game and for St John's will provide us with some great basketball.

Not for nothing but he is taking over at St. John's, not Duke, Kentucky or North Carolina. We all think he is going to work his a$$ off to do an incredible job here, he knows how to win, and he will bring in the right staff to support his efforts, but there are no guarantees. If he doesn't do well here people will eventually get fed up and start calling for his head just like they would with any other coach.

No one will have higher expectations for Chris than Chris. He is not signing on here to continue the mediocrity. As others have said, if its not working out Chris will bow out gracefully. No one will need to call for his head. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Spot on post

 

[TonyinFairfield]

Hiring Chris was what I was worried about when the Yankees were talking about hiring Don Mattingly. He is your childhood idol and the guy you root for the most, but if he starts to coach your favorite team and does a bad job, watching him get dumped on is a PAINFUL experience.

Hoping Mullin does an incredible job. I am rooting for him. I really think Danny Hurley was the way to go though.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. On paper, Mullin is a great hire. Everything about this screams success. The most iconic player in the history of the school returns to lead them back to the promised land! It feels like it should be a movie or something. It's too good of a story to not work out great!

But....what if it doesn't work out? What if the Mullin experiment is a complete bust? What if he finds out the hard way that coaching is way different than playing? What if it's 5yrs down the road, and he has a record similar to Norm Roberts? Does the administration have the balls to fire the local legend that is Chris Mullin? What if he has a record similar to Lavin? Do they give him an extension after not offering one to Steve, just because of who he is?

I hope that everything works out, and deep down I think that it will. But there is always the possibility that it won't........and that scares me.

First of all, that is total paranoia. We're talking about someone who made himself what he is today. As a college player, as a pro, as a member of the Dream Team and as a basketball executive, CM worked his tail off to learn and absorb what there was to achieve greatness. Why would you be "scared" that he wouldn't do that as a coach? Secondly, hiring CM as head coach of SJ basketball would be the same as you owning a business and hiring your first born. No matter what he does, they can't fire him! So, my advice is to sit back, be patient and let the guy do what he's always done, ie. work his tail off. I expect his love of the game and for St John's will provide us with some great basketball.

Not for nothing but he is taking over at St. John's, not Duke, Kentucky or North Carolina. We all think he is going to work his a$$ off to do an incredible job here, he knows how to win, and he will bring in the right staff to support his efforts, but there are no guarantees. If he doesn't do well here people will eventually get fed up and start calling for his head just like they would with any other coach.

No one will have higher expectations for Chris than Chris. He is not signing on here to continue the mediocrity. As others have said, if its not working out Chris will bow out gracefully. No one will need to call for his head. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

And maybe after bringing us back to elite status, Chris decides that this is really not for him. I'm OK with that, as long as we have a guy on the bench who is ready to step in at that point. And that's why his assistants will be so critical to his success.

 

[beast of the east]

Looie used to refer to Mullin going into the gym to practice as "going into the lab". He was serious, all business, the way a concert pianist practices and practices even after he is the best.

Trust that Mullin will lean on every coach, past and present who respects and likes him to gain advice on coaching. So much will come instinctively, and it's been said a million ways, but he will do whatever he has to to propel this program.

 

[redfan259999888]

I'll go one step further although I'm not in his head (but should be). My belief is that he didn't come here to get us back to the dance once in a while, or even most years. I believe he came here with a sky's the limit attitude to make us an elite program. I don't think there is a job in the country he would want more - not anywhere. My sincere belief is he wants back into the Final Four for SJU sooner than later, and to go home with some wins this time.

That's the only attitude that a winner should have. He is Mr. Redmen, when we talk about that 84-85 F4 team, he's the first one everyone thinks about.
I believe that Chris can accomplish anything he wants, and I believe that's even more then what he did that year that we went to the F4. He'll get us the NC.
I normally don't get over excited about anyone taking over our team, but with the exception of a very few. Chris (The king Redmen) Mullin is one of them.
Chris is on a mission, bring it home.

The experts think that SJU is a bad job? Well we're all gonna watch Chris accomplish his goal, and make them all shut their traps.

BRING IT HOME KING REDMEN.

 

[JackofVirginia]

A workaholic like Mullin will show players what's needed to play at the next level. He won't put up with guys smoking weed when they should be in the gym.

I could see his work ethic potentially causing some problems with the players. Let's remember, these are still 18-22yr old kids (unless you are Orlando Sanchez, in which case he was like in his early 30's when he played in college). They are going to want to live the college lifestyle at some point. They are going to want to drink, and go to parties, have fun, and do everything else that a typical college student does. And like you and everyone else has said, Mullin was a gym rat....he practically lived in the gym. All he ever did was work on his game. I could see him going in with the mindset that, "well I was able to put in the work, so why can't you?" I don't know if that kind of thinking will work with today's college players. Is he going to be able to accept that some of his players are not going to be like that. When he would have spent 6hrs in the gym, some players may only spend 2. When he would have shot 1,000 free throws a day, some may only shoot 500.

Will he be able to accept that?

I think Chris found time to have one or two beers.