St. John’s is reportedly working to extend head basketball coach Steve Lavin’s current contract.
St. John’s basketball has regained some of its old charm under head coach Steve Lavin. Yet rumors swirled prior to the end of the Red Storm’s season on Friday night that Lavin could be fired.
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Those rumors now seem to be misguided, as the St. John’s administration is reportedly working to give Lavin a contract extension, according to the Sporting News, citing sources.
Lavin took over the St. John’s program in 2010 after Norman Roberts was fired after six seasons as head coach. Roberts had just two winning seasons in his six on the job, and both were records of just one game above .500.
Lavin has coached four seasons (and missed most of the 2011-12 season with prostate cancer–in his stead Mike Dunlap led the Red Storm) finishing with a winning record in each season and leading the proud New York City program to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Johnnie’s, however, have lost their first game in each tournament appearance, and did likewise in this season’s Big East Tournament. Additionally, Lavin is losing five seniors from this year’s team–all of whom will graduate.
Lavin, though, is an outstanding recruiter, and during his time at UCLA from 1996-2003 made four Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight appearance. Between St. John’s and UCLA he has a 226-133 record, good for a .630 winning percentage.
That includes an 81-55 record with the Red Storm, which is a stark upgrade from Roberts. Still, Lavin’s contract, as currently worked is set to expire after next season, which would make for a rather easy termination, with only year’s salary to pay out.
But St. John’s knows it likely will not find a better coach than Lavin, who after his UCLA stint spent seven seasons as a wonderful commentator for ESPN.
An extension to his current deal makes sense for all parties involved, given that Lavin is cancer-free and has done an admirable job on the bench for the once-proud basketball program.
In today’s money-making world of college basketball, it is a bit odd to have a coach sitting on a one-year deal. Programs usually extend coaches well into the future, so that they almost cannot live to see the end of the deal.
But St. John’s has practiced restraint in the matter. Only now does it feel comfortable extending Lavin beyond next season, despite fairly incessant admonition to get rid of him altogether.
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