Steve Lavin and St. John’s AD Chris Monasch will meet Monday in what could be a prelude to the former UCLA coach becoming the next head coach at St. John’s.
“He will interview at some point Monday,” a source with knowledge said.
“Both sides are really excited.”
If the meeting goes well, Lavin could be named the successor to Norm Roberts, who was fired last week after six seasons.
“If there was a candidate that really came in and was incredibly impressive, I
think you can declare that you’ve found your new coach,” the source said.
Lavin compiled a 145-78 record at UCLA. He took the Bruins to the NCAA Sweet 16 six times and posted six straight 20-win seasons.
He was fired by UCLA after posting a 10-19 record during the 2002-03 season and has worked at ESPN since.
St. John’s has already swung and miss on Florida’s Billy Donovan and Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt. Monasch met Friday with Boston College coach Al Skinner but reportedly had concerns about the makeup of his staff, which lacks any assistants with ties to the New York AAU base.
“I think it would be very difficult for him to maintain his entire staff,” the source said.
The source said Lavin, 45, was putting together a “dream team” of former head coaches and assistants that could include former Virginia coach Dave Leitao, a 49-year-old New Bedford, Mass., native.
There is a local push for former interim Fordham coach Jared Grasso and for New Heights athletic director Kimani Young, both of whom have tremendous ties to the local talent base in New York and New Jersey.
“Anybody who comes in here is gonna have to New Yorkers on his staff,” the source said.
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(Photo courtesy AP)
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bball purist / March 29, 2010
Lavinor or Skinner can get the guys goin’ for next year – both good bench coaches. Lavin may be better long term because of recruiting ability.
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UofA BJ / March 30, 2010
Lavin isbest st johns could hope for. Great hire.
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