Saint John fired head coach Mike Anderson on Friday and sources told ESPN that Red Storm is expected to succeed. iona‘s Rick Pitino their top target.
Anderson was unable to attend the NCAA tournament in any of his four seasons at St. John’s, with Red Storm at 68-56 under his watch. They finished the season on Thursday, losing Marquette in the quarterfinals of the Big East. The loss dropped them to 18-15 overall and 7-13 against the Big East.
Athletic Director Mike Cragg said: “Following a full assessment of the men’s basketball program, our University has determined that a change in both leadership and direction of St. John’s Basketball. “We wish Coach Mike Anderson and his family the best in their future.”
Red Storm hired Anderson in 2019, a few weeks later Arkansas break up with him. He made it to the NCAA tournament three times in his final five seasons with the Razorbacks, but couldn’t repeat that success in the Big East.
John’s is expected to consider Pitino as a leading candidate to replace Anderson, sources told ESPN. A New York native, the Hall of Fame head coach won two regular-season championships and a conference tournament during his three seasons with the Gaels.
Pitino, 70, is arguably the best college basketball coach of his generation, and he’ll be the kind of big name needed to rekindle the St. John hasn’t won an NCAA tournament since 2000.
