Matt A

[quote="gman" post=287070]I don’t recall people speaking badly about Matt. If anything the board is very complimentary of Matt. The board bashes the recruiting (or lack thereof) of the other coaches.[/quote]

Baldi and the Albanos.
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=287130][quote="Mike Zaun" post=287121][quote="Paultzman" post=287118]Matt A
Certainly not attempting to solicit purchasing tickets but as a huge sports fan I’m not sure there is better moment to buy season tix for @StJohnsBBall . If these games aren’t packed when will they ever be. Great time so enjoy it you all deserve it #SJUBB[/quote]

Funny, because I was just thinking the same assuming Rice and Heron are on board this year. If it happens I think you see record numbers of season tix sold in addition to donations (especially if they have a successful season). Once the process regarding CA remodeling plans moves along and it's officially announced, you will probably see more :)[/quote] in the old days 6008 was every home game or I think that was the number at alumni hall[/quote]


Let's think our high water mark circa 1985-86 President Ronald Reagan visits Queens and the number One Basketball Program in the country!
Surely we can get back to being a top twenty program with periodic tournament invitations - if not top ten program with regular NCAA engagements...if not
A Number One Ranking (again) and a Presidential visit (putting left/right aside), I ask "why not".
For now a successful 2018-19 would be terrific!!!
And the arena will likely be packed.
 
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[quote="Chris7" post=287137][quote="panther2" post=287068]First let me state that I have known Matt since he was a freshman at St Johns in 2003. He was a manager then and Lamont Hamilton and Daryl Hill, who played AAU ball for me were both beginning their first year of eligibility. I watched him go from being a manager at St. Johns, to an intern with the Timberwolves upon graduation, then to Iowa St, where he established himself as a recruiter. My wife and I even attended his wedding in Iowa five years ago. He is now entering his fourth year at St. Johns.

At this point, I consider the young man a friend. I wanted to make this clear before I stated how disappointed I have been at some of the posts on here and other social media networks disparaging his recruiting and characterizing him as someone who does not have the best interests of the program in his heart.

Over the past 12 hours, everyone has been going crazy regarding the commitment of Mustafa Heron. Matt maintained a relationship with the young man and his father, even though he chose to attend Auburn. If you look at our current roster, from 1-13, he has been instrumental in securing all of these commitments. Remember, when he arrived in April, 2015, we did not have a team. Now we have a team that people are saying should do well in the Big East and make the NCAA tournament. Recruiting takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. Qualities which I believe Matt has.

So rather than listening to those who attempt to talk bad about him, while questioning his character, I choose to respect the job he has done in assembling our present team. Hopefully, Mustafa will get a waiver, our season will be a success, and our future much brighter.[/quote]

Well said. Anyone who bashes Matt is an incompetent moron. The man lives and sleeps in high school and AAU gyms throughout the country. His work ethic is one of a kind, especially compared to that of some of the other staff members. He's an asset and is doing a very good job with limited resources and a sometimes tough sell.[/quote]

I will say that the general consensus is that Matt has done a very good job. The asinine "jokes" about his height and any criticism of him at all are just asinine. We live in a culture that makes it funny to make fun of public people on their looks, especially weight: Chris Christie is fat, Sara Huckabee Sanders fat and ugly, Bernie Sanders decrepit. Some folks are teflon and a comment could cost you your job. I wish we'd lay off that crap about our staff.

Insofar as "incompetent moron", I wouldn't use as strong words to describe others on here except to say that anyone who thinks that recruits based their decision to come here based on Matt more than after speaking with Chris, Greg, or Mitch - the guys who will actually coach them - are also, well, damn, you fill in the blanks.
 
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[quote="redmannorth" post=287081][quote="panther2" post=287071][quote="gman" post=287070]I don’t recall people speaking badly about Matt. If anything the board is very complimentary of Matt. The board bashes the recruiting (or lack thereof) of the other coaches.[/quote]



Wish I was more digital knowledgeable, then I would be able to show you.[/quote]

Unfortunately Panther is correct. People have posted some very derogatory comments about Matt , even most recently. Within the last week a poster who thought they were being funny made a disparaging remark about Matt’s height if a basketball was to be thrown by Mike Rice. Let me be clear and second Panthers post Matt is worth his weight in gold to SJU.[/quote]

Mullin made fun of Matt's height at his press conference. I am sure Matt understands he is short. On these boards Matt is almost universally liked.
Personally as much as I like Clark, Simon and now Herron I do think the over reliance on transfers is flawed. Whether he is sole recruiter or not.
 
[quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=287150][quote="mjmaherjr" post=287130][quote="Mike Zaun" post=287121][quote="Paultzman" post=287118]Matt A
Certainly not attempting to solicit purchasing tickets but as a huge sports fan I’m not sure there is better moment to buy season tix for @StJohnsBBall . If these games aren’t packed when will they ever be. Great time so enjoy it you all deserve it #SJUBB[/quote]

Funny, because I was just thinking the same assuming Rice and Heron are on board this year. If it happens I think you see record numbers of season tix sold in addition to donations (especially if they have a successful season). Once the process regarding CA remodeling plans moves along and it's officially announced, you will probably see more :)[/quote] in the old days 6008 was every home game or I think that was the number at alumni hall[/quote]


Let's think our high water mark circa 1985-86 President Ronald Reagan visits Queens and the number One Basketball Program in the country!
Surely we can get back to being a top twenty program with periodic tournament invitations - if not top ten program with regular NCAA engagements...if not
A Number One Ranking (again) and a Presidential visit (putting left/right aside), I ask "why not".
For now a successful 2018-19 would be terrific!!!
And the arena will likely be packed.[/quote]

Well, Donald Trump grew up in Queens, and you can walk from his parent's former home on Midland Parkway to SJU campus. Maybe we will have another Presidential visit soon AND a number 1 team. :)
 
[quote="we are sju" post=287155][quote="redmannorth" post=287081][quote="panther2" post=287071][quote="gman" post=287070]I don’t recall people speaking badly about Matt. If anything the board is very complimentary of Matt. The board bashes the recruiting (or lack thereof) of the other coaches.[/quote]



Wish I was more digital knowledgeable, then I would be able to show you.[/quote]

Unfortunately Panther is correct. People have posted some very derogatory comments about Matt , even most recently. Within the last week a poster who thought they were being funny made a disparaging remark about Matt’s height if a basketball was to be thrown by Mike Rice. Let me be clear and second Panthers post Matt is worth his weight in gold to SJU.[/quote]

Mullin made fun of Matt's height at his press conference. I am sure Matt understands he is short. On these boards Matt is almost universally liked.
Personally as much as I like Clark, Simon and now Herron I do think the over reliance on transfers is flawed. Whether he is sole recruiter or not.[/quote]

I asked Kofi who is shorter 72 or Matt and he said we were about the same height but I never take height jokes seriously as it is what is on the inside that counts.
My only criticism of Matt is that he is a transfer specialist but he is a strong closer. A second recruiter is needed to build relationships with prep players. One man can't be everywhere. Yes, Matt recruited this entire roster which is absolutely amazing but it also underscores the absence of Mitch Richmond on the recruiting trail.
As for the hardcore critics TIS mentioned a couple of the Twitter character assassins. One, a former mod here, publicly called him a traitor to the program which upset not only Matt but Chris Mullin. How he even gets close to the coaches at events boggles the mind. There are sports sociopaths but this one tops them all. Never give him your phone number.
 
Maybe I'm mistaken, but I feel like I've seen criticisms of Matt on this board that I'm now not hearing. Wasn't he criticized when he used rumors of being targeted for other jobs (LSU???) to get him a raise at St. John's? Wasn't he criticized for always seeking out credit for himself, even going the length of feeding info to a local beat writer to make himself look better? Wasn't he criticized prior to these past few months for only having put together a roster that was a last place Big East team?

Personally, I'm glad we have him. I was excited when we first got him, and I haven't had an issue with him bringing in all of these high caliber transfers while we await results on the court. PLUS, he's seemingly doing this all on his own, while most other schools have multiple recruiters. Man, we are lucky to have this guy.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=287156][quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=287150][quote="mjmaherjr" post=287130][quote="Mike Zaun" post=287121][quote="Paultzman" post=287118]Matt A
Certainly not attempting to solicit purchasing tickets but as a huge sports fan I’m not sure there is better moment to buy season tix for @StJohnsBBall . If these games aren’t packed when will they ever be. Great time so enjoy it you all deserve it #SJUBB[/quote]

Funny, because I was just thinking the same assuming Rice and Heron are on board this year. If it happens I think you see record numbers of season tix sold in addition to donations (especially if they have a successful season). Once the process regarding CA remodeling plans moves along and it's officially announced, you will probably see more :)[/quote] in the old days 6008 was every home game or I think that was the number at alumni hall[/quote]


Let's think our high water mark circa 1985-86 President Ronald Reagan visits Queens and the number One Basketball Program in the country!
Surely we can get back to being a top twenty program with periodic tournament invitations - if not top ten program with regular NCAA engagements...if not
A Number One Ranking (again) and a Presidential visit (putting left/right aside), I ask "why not".
For now a successful 2018-19 would be terrific!!!
And the arena will likely be packed.[/quote]

Well, Donald Trump grew up in Queens, and you can walk from his parent's former home on Midland Parkway to SJU campus. Maybe we will have another Presidential visit soon AND a number 1 team. :)[/quote]

Grew up? That's open to debate.
 
[quote="Room112" post=287246]Maybe I'm mistaken, but I feel like I've seen criticisms of Matt on this board that I'm now not hearing. Wasn't he criticized when he used rumors of being targeted for other jobs (LSU???) to get him a raise at St. John's? Wasn't he criticized for always seeking out credit for himself, even going the length of feeding info to a local beat writer to make himself look better? Wasn't he criticized prior to these past few months for only having put together a roster that was a last place Big East team?

Personally, I'm glad we have him. I was excited when we first got him, and I haven't had an issue with him bringing in all of these high caliber transfers while we await results on the court. PLUS, he's seemingly doing this all on his own, while most other schools have multiple recruiters. Man, we are lucky to have this guy.[/quote]

No, your not mistaken. Some things are true and whatever you read on Twitter by a sociopathic fan is just mental illness.
He was offered other jobs and lucky for Mullin he bleeds redmen red or he'd be gone by now.
 
[quote="OLV72" post=287248][quote="Beast of the East" post=287156][quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=287150][quote="mjmaherjr" post=287130][quote="Mike Zaun" post=287121][quote="Paultzman" post=287118]Matt A
Certainly not attempting to solicit purchasing tickets but as a huge sports fan I’m not sure there is better moment to buy season tix for @StJohnsBBall . If these games aren’t packed when will they ever be. Great time so enjoy it you all deserve it #SJUBB[/quote]

Funny, because I was just thinking the same assuming Rice and Heron are on board this year. If it happens I think you see record numbers of season tix sold in addition to donations (especially if they have a successful season). Once the process regarding CA remodeling plans moves along and it's officially announced, you will probably see more :)[/quote] in the old days 6008 was every home game or I think that was the number at alumni hall[/quote]


Let's think our high water mark circa 1985-86 President Ronald Reagan visits Queens and the number One Basketball Program in the country!
Surely we can get back to being a top twenty program with periodic tournament invitations - if not top ten program with regular NCAA engagements...if not
A Number One Ranking (again) and a Presidential visit (putting left/right aside), I ask "why not".
For now a successful 2018-19 would be terrific!!!
And the arena will likely be packed.[/quote]

Well, Donald Trump grew up in Queens, and you can walk from his parent's former home on Midland Parkway to SJU campus. Maybe we will have another Presidential visit soon AND a number 1 team. :)[/quote]

Grew up? That's open to debate.[/quote]

LMAO!
 
[quote="we are sju" post=287155][quote="redmannorth" post=287081][quote="panther2" post=287071][quote="gman" post=287070]I don’t recall people speaking badly about Matt. If anything the board is very complimentary of Matt. The board bashes the recruiting (or lack thereof) of the other coaches.[/quote]



Wish I was more digital knowledgeable, then I would be able to show you.[/quote]

Unfortunately Panther is correct. People have posted some very derogatory comments about Matt , even most recently. Within the last week a poster who thought they were being funny made a disparaging remark about Matt’s height if a basketball was to be thrown by Mike Rice. Let me be clear and second Panthers post Matt is worth his weight in gold to SJU.[/quote]

Mullin made fun of Matt's height at his press conference. I am sure Matt understands he is short. On these boards Matt is almost universally liked.
Personally as much as I like Clark, Simon and now Herron I do think the over reliance on transfers is flawed. Whether he is sole recruiter or not.[/quote]

I agree that over-reliance on transfers has its drawbacks, because it disrupts / delays a program's ability to groom the AAU and HS networks.
But, as with NV and Iowa State, it also offers a faster way to rebuild a program laboring through years of anonymity / mediocrity, and/or a totally empty roster..
Another problem with it, is transfers seems hyperbolic about 'PT' and 'touches' even more so than the HS recruit at least in the first year or so, as we've found out with Tariq and D. Williams.
Although, rebuilding programs also take hits from HS players miffed about being 'recruited over'.
As we know, St. John's has sustained hits from both ends of its roster because of this.
Hopefully, we can get past this stage, with a blow-out 2018-19 season.
We shall see.
 
[instagram][/instagram][quote="panther2" post=287068]First let me state that I have known Matt since he was a freshman at St Johns in 2003. He was a manager then and Lamont Hamilton and Daryl Hill, who played AAU ball for me were both beginning their first year of eligibility. I watched him go from being a manager at St. Johns, to an intern with the Timberwolves upon graduation, then to Iowa St, where he established himself as a recruiter. My wife and I even attended his wedding in Iowa five years ago. He is now entering his fourth year at St. Johns.

At this point, I consider the young man a friend. I wanted to make this clear before I stated how disappointed I have been at some of the posts on here and other social media networks disparaging his recruiting and characterizing him as someone who does not have the best interests of the program in his heart.

Over the past 12 hours, everyone has been going crazy regarding the commitment of Mustafa Heron. Matt maintained a relationship with the young man and his father, even though he chose to attend Auburn. If you look at our current roster, from 1-13, he has been instrumental in securing all of these commitments. Remember, when he arrived in April, 2015, we did not have a team. Now we have a team that people are saying should do well in the Big East and make the NCAA tournament. Recruiting takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. Qualities which I believe Matt has.

So rather than listening to those who attempt to talk bad about him, while questioning his character, I choose to respect the job he has done in assembling our present team. Hopefully, Mustafa will get a waiver, our season will be a success, and our future much brighter.[/quote] No doubt he is literally the best assistant we have. Its not even close. The problem is and its not like its a big problem but every one of us knows he feeds Zach his stories in the post. Personally I have a problem with that but I also think he is more valuable than every other asst coach

I'm sure he is great guy ( and I think I was maybe the only one who was 100% for the meet and greet he wanted to do ) not one who cares. He is our best assistant but we need to win before anyone deserves a raise ever again and on that I most definitely know what I'm referencing but as Panther said and he is beyond connected to pretty much everyone and is a gentleman in every sense of the word and we get carried away here ( me tooo ) and it wouldn't hurt for us to attack each other less
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=287269][instagram][/instagram][quote="panther2" post=287068]First let me state that I have known Matt since he was a freshman at St Johns in 2003. He was a manager then and Lamont Hamilton and Daryl Hill, who played AAU ball for me were both beginning their first year of eligibility. I watched him go from being a manager at St. Johns, to an intern with the Timberwolves upon graduation, then to Iowa St, where he established himself as a recruiter. My wife and I even attended his wedding in Iowa five years ago. He is now entering his fourth year at St. Johns.

At this point, I consider the young man a friend. I wanted to make this clear before I stated how disappointed I have been at some of the posts on here and other social media networks disparaging his recruiting and characterizing him as someone who does not have the best interests of the program in his heart.

Over the past 12 hours, everyone has been going crazy regarding the commitment of Mustafa Heron. Matt maintained a relationship with the young man and his father, even though he chose to attend Auburn. If you look at our current roster, from 1-13, he has been instrumental in securing all of these commitments. Remember, when he arrived in April, 2015, we did not have a team. Now we have a team that people are saying should do well in the Big East and make the NCAA tournament. Recruiting takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. Qualities which I believe Matt has.

So rather than listening to those who attempt to talk bad about him, while questioning his character, I choose to respect the job he has done in assembling our present team. Hopefully, Mustafa will get a waiver, our season will be a success, and our future much brighter.[/quote] No doubt he is literally the best assistant we have. Its not even close. The problem is and its not like its a big problem but every one of us knows he feeds Zach his stories in the post. Personally I have a problem with that but I also think he is more valuable than every other asst coach

I'm sure he is great guy ( and I think I was maybe the only one who was 100% for the meet and greet he wanted to do ) not one who cares. He is our best assistant but we need to win before anyone deserves a raise ever again and on that I most definitely know what I'm referencing but as Panther said and he is beyond connected to pretty much everyone and is a gentleman in every sense of the word and we get carried away here ( me tooo ) and it wouldn't hurt for us to attack each other less[/quote]

Great post Mike. I was enthused by the 'meet & great' as well and thought it was a great 'reaching out' by Matt.
I hear ya about leaking stuff to Zach B--but Zach has been a good 'media' voice for the program.
I do like that.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=287272][quote="mjmaherjr" post=287269][instagram][/instagram][quote="panther2" post=287068]First let me state that I have known Matt since he was a freshman at St Johns in 2003. He was a manager then and Lamont Hamilton and Daryl Hill, who played AAU ball for me were both beginning their first year of eligibility. I watched him go from being a manager at St. Johns, to an intern with the Timberwolves upon graduation, then to Iowa St, where he established himself as a recruiter. My wife and I even attended his wedding in Iowa five years ago. He is now entering his fourth year at St. Johns.

At this point, I consider the young man a friend. I wanted to make this clear before I stated how disappointed I have been at some of the posts on here and other social media networks disparaging his recruiting and characterizing him as someone who does not have the best interests of the program in his heart.

Over the past 12 hours, everyone has been going crazy regarding the commitment of Mustafa Heron. Matt maintained a relationship with the young man and his father, even though he chose to attend Auburn. If you look at our current roster, from 1-13, he has been instrumental in securing all of these commitments. Remember, when he arrived in April, 2015, we did not have a team. Now we have a team that people are saying should do well in the Big East and make the NCAA tournament. Recruiting takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. Qualities which I believe Matt has.

So rather than listening to those who attempt to talk bad about him, while questioning his character, I choose to respect the job he has done in assembling our present team. Hopefully, Mustafa will get a waiver, our season will be a success, and our future much brighter.[/quote] No doubt he is literally the best assistant we have. Its not even close. The problem is and its not like its a big problem but every one of us knows he feeds Zach his stories in the post. Personally I have a problem with that but I also think he is more valuable than every other asst coach

I'm sure he is great guy ( and I think I was maybe the only one who was 100% for the meet and greet he wanted to do ) not one who cares. He is our best assistant but we need to win before anyone deserves a raise ever again and on that I most definitely know what I'm referencing but as Panther said and he is beyond connected to pretty much everyone and is a gentleman in every sense of the word and we get carried away here ( me tooo ) and it wouldn't hurt for us to attack each other less[/quote]

Great post Mike. I was enthused by the 'meet & great' as well and thought it was a great 'reaching out' by Matt.
I hear ya about leaking stuff to Zach B--but Zach has been a good 'media' voice for the program.
I do like that.[/quote] totally agree about Zach in that he has been pretty much our only good press for the last 3 years. I dont do twitter so I dont know whats being said on other social media sites and feel bad if people are killing Matt on them all the time. Everyone of us has our own faults. That being said I'd take Matt over our other assistants every day of the week although when I read a Zach article it would be nice to not know pretty much every time who basically written by Matt.

That being said this was another great personal insight by Panther which is why he is easily one of my favorite posters because he puts so much of himself out there
 
I have given Matt a hard time in the past for a variety of reasons. But I never questioned that he works hard. Then again it looks like he's working even harder when the bar is set so low with his colleagues. He earned the raise they gave him last year with this cycle. I liked Eli Wright a lot even though he had such low numbers. I love pulling Figueroa out of nowhere and I was huge fan of a Heron and that's the hattrick. Not so crazy about Carraher or Roberts but when you are forced to replace 5 or 6 guys a year you will hit and miss.

I'll put up with the other stuff people have mentioned here if he can pull rabbits out like the last two more often
 
Matt has been recruiting from a ‘weak position’, a ‘trust me’ spin, ‘we’ll turn it around and our 2 HOFers will guide you to the next level.’
IF Heron is eligible, the current roster should validate Matt’s spin these past 3 years, via buckets of wins during the year, and through the BET—highlighted with the Times Square pizzazz of a hyped-up NY Media.
Dancing hard through the NCAAs, may well convince remaining 2019 targets.
If so, Matt and new A/C Mr. X will be recruiting from strength.
Let’s go Johnnies.
 
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[quote="panther2" post=287068]First let me state that I have known Matt since he was a freshman at St Johns in 2003. He was a manager then and Lamont Hamilton and Daryl Hill, who played AAU ball for me were both beginning their first year of eligibility. I watched him go from being a manager at St. Johns, to an intern with the Timberwolves upon graduation, then to Iowa St, where he established himself as a recruiter. My wife and I even attended his wedding in Iowa five years ago. He is now entering his fourth year at St. Johns.

At this point, I consider the young man a friend. I wanted to make this clear before I stated how disappointed I have been at some of the posts on here and other social media networks disparaging his recruiting and characterizing him as someone who does not have the best interests of the program in his heart.

Over the past 12 hours, everyone has been going crazy regarding the commitment of Mustafa Heron. Matt maintained a relationship with the young man and his father, even though he chose to attend Auburn. If you look at our current roster, from 1-13, he has been instrumental in securing all of these commitments. Remember, when he arrived in April, 2015, we did not have a team. Now we have a team that people are saying should do well in the Big East and make the NCAA tournament. Recruiting takes hard work, determination, and perseverance. Qualities which I believe Matt has.

So rather than listening to those who attempt to talk bad about him, while questioning his character, I choose to respect the job he has done in assembling our present team. Hopefully, Mustafa will get a waiver, our season will be a success, and our future much brighter.[/quote]


Panther2
Pardon me for copying your entire post but it is terrific! Obviously you know Matt well and bravo for sticking up for your friend AND for enlightening we posters who sometimes “mouth off” but have no clue and no basis for strong negative opinions.
All the best and
We are St. Johns and
We are fortunate to be fans circa 2018-19.
SS&G
 
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We are extremely lucky to have Matt as our chief ( and only ) recruiter. Luckily he is an alum and loves this school so much. God only knows where this place would be if he wasn't here.
 
In regards to relying on transfers, I agree it is not ideal. However, if you look at St Johns as a business venture, you realize that our performance leaves a lot to be desired. If you were a parent or a coach, can you honestly say that you would encourage your son or player to commit to us? However, over the last four years, we have landed Marcus Lovett, Kassoum Yawke, Shamorie Ponds, Bryan Trimble, and Greg Williams. Not the greatest, but serviceable. Not sure what happened, but after his promising freshman year, Kassoum seemed lost. We were forced to go the transfer route, and I believe that the one's on campus now will help us have a very good season.

If we are successful this year, parents and coaches will have a reason to trust us with a young man's future
 
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