What would help Lavin now...

[Marillac]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

 

[kred]

The press conference held by a successful coach would be a lot different then that which would be held by Lavin. Who is going to question what a HOF coach says after a successful year, compared to the disasterous year we've had. Lavin is no fool. He knows a conference would open him up to severe criticism for a terrible year in which the team quit on him. In the face of 2 underclassmen leaving, roster problems, no recruits coming in, and a team apparently in some sort of rebellion what could he say - keep the faith ?

 

[redfazed]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

 

[kred]

What would help now is if the admin proved to the fans that they had at least some brains and get rid of Lavin now.
The longer they wait, the more difficult it will be to secure a quality coach and give that coach time to nab recruits for both 14 and 15.
This is really a no brainer.

While I might phrase it differently and I don't like to attack the school, players or staff but the way this has played out EVERY time since LC, there really is no other conclusion. The longer this drags out, the worse for everyone. Act quickly and decisively and move on to better things. A good coach has something to work with in the cast remaining, and might even consider the scholarships a luxury while there is still a spring signing period available. Lavin could move on without having to get roasted in the media which he surely will the longer this drags out. If it drags out on the other hand we very likely will have more defections. Anyone who has paid attention on redmen.com the past 15+ years knows that I have never tried to come off as "in the know" but I do know this: There is other stuff that has happened that has not been made public that no fan would be happy with, and there are other key players definitely exploring options. Act quickly and they do have reason to stay.

Paul, thanks for your insight and perspective.

I think another factor that will weigh heavily on the administration's mind is the reality that college enrollment is going down. St. John's, like just about every other university and college in the country, will have a difficult time meeting it's enrollment targets over the next few years. I'm sure this will be considered if the administration decides to pull the plug on Lavin and hire a new coach. I'm not implying that lower enrollment will affect the basketball program, but it will cause St. John's to look hard a all of it's expenses in light of declining income.

But when has admin ever shown the stones to do something like that ?

 

[Marillac]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

One last run. Who better? Natural, planned end.

 

[room112]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

One last run. Who better? Natural, planned end.

I love how Calhoun is being considered. After Jarvis and the scandal, the University's goal was run a clean program first, winning second. Why would that change now? Are people happy with winning a title only to have it wiped out a few years later?

 

[redken]

I love how Calhoun is being considered. After Jarvis and the scandal, the University's goal was run a clean program first, winning second. Why would that change now? Are people happy with winning a title only to have it wiped out a few years later?

Considered by whom? A few posters?

 

[room112]

I love how Calhoun is being considered. After Jarvis and the scandal, the University's goal was run a clean program first, winning second. Why would that change now? Are people happy with winning a title only to have it wiped out a few years later?

Considered by whom? A few posters?

Yes, the fact that even posters on this site are considering him, a coach coming off of serious sanctions at his former school, is telling.

 

[ccnobz]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

What bleeding? Sampson decided to go pro , and Obepka probably didnt like the lack of playing time and decided to transfer. My guess is Lavin has a few players ready to be signed April 17th. If not, then we are in trouble.

 

[Jack Williams]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

What bleeding? Sampson decided to go pro , and Obepka probably didnt like the lack of playing time and decided to transfer. My guess is Lavin has a few players ready to be signed April 17th. If not, then we are in trouble.

Yea, let's pretend this is why he left...

 

[SJU1512]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

What bleeding? Sampson decided to go pro , and Obepka probably didnt like the lack of playing time and decided to transfer. My guess is Lavin has a few players ready to be signed April 17th. If not, then we are in trouble.

Yea, let's pretend this is why he left...

I think it has something to do with it. Highly sought after players like Obekpa don't pick a school to play 20mpg as a Soph after playing 26mpg as a fresh. I am pretty grounded when it comes to what Obekpa's abilities are, but he absolutely deserved to be playing more than that.

The player's are not blameless in these situations. But the reality is every single one of them is thinking about the NBA. They want their stock to rise from one year to the next. Neither Sampson or Obekpa got materially better in the ~20 months they were on campus. In Obekpa's case, combine that with a step backwards in minutes and the knowledge he could have gone to any number of places and played more, and you're going to have an unhappy player.

Again, not assigning blame necessarily, but I would guess this probably factored into his decision.

 

[TonyinFairfield]

What would help now is if the admin proved to the fans that they had at least some brains and get rid of Lavin now.
The longer they wait, the more difficult it will be to secure a quality coach and give that coach time to nab recruits for both 14 and 15.
This is really a no brainer.

While I might phrase it differently and I don't like to attack the school, players or staff but the way this has played out EVERY time since LC, there really is no other conclusion. The longer this drags out, the worse for everyone. Act quickly and decisively and move on to better things. A good coach has something to work with in the cast remaining, and might even consider the scholarships a luxury while there is still a spring signing period available. Lavin could move on without having to get roasted in the media which he surely will the longer this drags out. If it drags out on the other hand we very likely will have more defections. Anyone who has paid attention on redmen.com the past 15+ years knows that I have never tried to come off as "in the know" but I do know this: There is other stuff that has happened that has not been made public that no fan would be happy with, and there are other key players definitely exploring options. Act quickly and they do have reason to stay.

Paul, thanks for your insight and perspective.

I think another factor that will weigh heavily on the administration's mind is the reality that college enrollment is going down. St. John's, like just about every other university and college in the country, will have a difficult time meeting it's enrollment targets over the next few years. I'm sure this will be considered if the administration decides to pull the plug on Lavin and hire a new coach. I'm not implying that lower enrollment will affect the basketball program, but it will cause St. John's to look hard a all of it's expenses in light of declining income.

But when has admin ever shown the stones to do something like that ?

Two things. First, administration is already looking at its expenses in light of anticipated lower enrollment. And as we all know, payroll expenses are the highest expenses of any business.

Next, I second Paul's comment. Things are indeed a lot worse than we are aware of with the basketball program.

 

[TobinGrad]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?
.

I think that Archie Miller or Gregg Marshall could also get him to reconsider.

Unfortunately, the admin wont act until its too late

 

[austour]

Gregg Marshall's not coming anyway. Don't think school will pay him and buyout Lavin.

 

[capmaker]

I am not advocating for Calhoun in any way. He was on with Mike & Mike recently and said he wants to coach again for a few more years. He also said he would bring a chosen "successor" so that when his tenure ends, there is somebody in place for a smooth transition.

 

[basketballjones]

I am not advocating for Calhoun in any way. He was on with Mike & Mike recently and said he wants to coach again for a few more years. He also said he would bring a chosen "successor" so that when his tenure ends, there is somebody in place for a smooth transition.

SMU asked Larry Brown to do the same thing. They hired Tim Jankovich as his assistant, who will take over when he leaves.

 

[Avon Barksdale]

I would trust Calhoun picking a successor rather than the nitwits employed by SJU who have picked our coaches since Louie left.

 

[ccnobz]

Who quickly would Obekpa return if Calhoun was hired? 10 minutes?

Marillac's official stance: Hire Calhoun. Five year deal with an exit strategy.

+1
We need someone who can come in and stem the bleeding fast. His age is a benefit-he'll be looking to leave in 5 years and won't mind paving the way for someone new. He'll be all over TV this weekend as well, with UConn.

What bleeding? Sampson decided to go pro , and Obepka probably didnt like the lack of playing time and decided to transfer. My guess is Lavin has a few players ready to be signed April 17th. If not, then we are in trouble.

Yea, let's pretend this is why he left...

I guess i'm missing something, why do you think he left?

 

[Avon Barksdale]

What would help now is if the admin proved to the fans that they had at least some brains and get rid of Lavin now.
The longer they wait, the more difficult it will be to secure a quality coach and give that coach time to nab recruits for both 14 and 15.
This is really a no brainer.

While I might phrase it differently and I don't like to attack the school, players or staff but the way this has played out EVERY time since LC, there really is no other conclusion. The longer this drags out, the worse for everyone. Act quickly and decisively and move on to better things. A good coach has something to work with in the cast remaining, and might even consider the scholarships a luxury while there is still a spring signing period available. Lavin could move on without having to get roasted in the media which he surely will the longer this drags out. If it drags out on the other hand we very likely will have more defections. Anyone who has paid attention on redmen.com the past 15+ years knows that I have never tried to come off as "in the know" but I do know this: There is other stuff that has happened that has not been made public that no fan would be happy with, and there are other key players definitely exploring options. Act quickly and they do have reason to stay.

i agree with Paul.
it would be beneficial to cut ties now rather than wait another year as we all know the ending in a year from now will be worse than it already is at this point.
If there are no changes made, we havent seen the last of the players asking for releases.

 

[redken]

I love how Calhoun is being considered. After Jarvis and the scandal, the University's goal was run a clean program first, winning second. Why would that change now? Are people happy with winning a title only to have it wiped out a few years later?

Considered by whom? A few posters?

Yes, the fact that even posters on this site are considering him, a coach coming off of serious sanctions at his former school, is telling.

With all due respect, I think the only thing it's telling is that a few posters are considering him.