Source: Ex-UCLA coach Steve Lavin and St. John's Red Storm close to deal
Hair gel a plenty for the Red Storm
An interview between St. John's and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin appears to have morphed into a negotiation and a deal should be struck Tuesday, the Daily News has learned.
Lavin came to New York and met with St. John's AD Chris Monasch well into the night over dinner at a restaurant in Tribeca. According to a source with knowledge of the search, the sides had "a very productive and positive dialogue.
"Discussions will be continued (today)," the source added. "Stay tuned."
Lavin could be the "home run" coach the Johnnies were looking for. He may not have city roots, but everything else about him matches the "ideal" candidate that Monasch described on March 19 after he dismissed Norm Roberts.
Lavin has a track record of winning in a major conference as well as the NCAA Tournament, is a successful recruiter and never landed the Bruins in trouble with the NCAA. He has been working as an ESPN analyst the past seven years.
He was 145-78 in seven seasons at UCLA and made six NCAA Tournaments.
He took the Bruins to an Elite Eight and four Sweet 16s. He has nationally ranked recruiting classes to his credit and coached more than a half-dozen players who went on to the NBA.
The Daily News first reported Lavin to be on St. John's radar on Friday. Things picked up over the weekend as he was asked and agreed to come for the interview. The idea of landing a big-ticket coach is said to have the St. John's administration buzzing.
It also was the buzz in the New York basketball community from the college ranks on down.
"If St. John's is good it has an impact across college basketball in the area," said Gary Charles, the influential director of the AAU Long Island Panthers. "When St. John's is good, it is good for Fordham and Hofstra and everyone else."
If he lands the gig, Lavin's first order of business has to be to assemble a staff that includes assistant coaches who know the area's basketball terrain and have recruited it successfully. As one high school coach pointed out yesterday, "Steve hasn't coached in seven years and the landscape for recruiting has changed. The people have changed. He may not know everyone anymore."
According to a Lavin confidant, "Steve is smart enough to know that it takes a team, and when he picks a staff, he will want someone from New York. He knows it's important."
Hair gel a plenty for the Red Storm