UPDATE: A month after this report. St. John’s fired Mike Anderson and is now targeting Rick Pitino as its next coach. More on Forbes Sports.
By ADAM ZAGORIA
St. John’s is not expected to part ways with head coach Mike Anderson after this season, a source close to the situation told ZAGSBLOG.
“It’s not going to happen,” the source said. “St. John’s will not be looking for another coach. Mike Anderson is owed [more than $10 million] over four years, and St. John’s doesn’t have that type of money.”
The Red Storm are 14-11, 4-10 in the Big East and have lost three straight heading into Saturday’s game against No. 20 Providence at Madison Square Garden.
Unless St. John’s wins the Big East Tournament next month at the Garden, they will miss the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year of Anderson’s tenure.
Anderson, 63, is 64-52 at St. John’s, 27-43 in the Big East.
In a letter sent to season ticket holders on Thursday, St. John’s AD Mike Cragg wrote:
“Our athletic administration is deeply engaged with the men’s basketball program on a daily basis. At the end of the season, we will also fully evaluate the performance and leadership of the program, as we do for all of our 17 Division I programs, to provide a comprehensive assessment to our university leadership. It is always our intent to improve results in all that we do.
“We are in the business of supporting our student-athletes and giving them the best possible experience as they represent St. John’s. We know they need that support, and we will cheer them on – louder and more positive than ever. I ask that you please join us, starting Saturday at noon against Providence for Johnnies Day at MSG.
“Overall, we all remain optimistic and hopeful that the men’s basketball program will build from its lessons to this point of the season, as there is still a lot of basketball to be played. We have talented players with an experienced coaching staff who are all capable of competing with the top teams in the BIG EAST. “
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