Fansided

10 college basketball coaches on the hottest seats entering 2018-2019

By Brad Berreman

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Pauley Pavilion on November 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins during the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Pauley Pavilion on November 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images /

2. Chris Mullin, St. John’s

With no previous coaching experience, but some experience in NBA front offices, Mullin was mostly a nostalgia-driven novelty hire for St. John’s. It was going to be a challenge to revive the program to the glory of his playing days at the school in the early 80’s, and the Red Storm has gone from eight to 14 to 16 wins under him. But overall through three seasons, Mullin has not delivered anywhere near the expected results (12-42 in Big East play).

This year’s team will be by far Mullin’s deepest and most-talented, with 11 scholarship players. Leading the way is Shamorie Ponds, who led the Big East in scoring last year (21.6 points per game), and transfer Mustapha Heron was Auburn’s leading scorer last season. Three other transfers, L.J. Figueroa, Sedee Keita and Mikey Dixon, add experience to the roster to help Mullin fully realize an up-tempo style focused on sharing the ball on the offensive end.

To his credit (or detriment?), Mullin is embracing heightened expectations going into his fourth season at his alma mater. The Big East is set to be down a little too, so anything less than an NCAA Tournament bid this year for St. John’s would be a disappointment all the way around.