St. John's, as expected, parted ways with head coach Mike Anderson on Friday, shortly after the Red Storm were bounced from the Big East Tournament.
Anderson lasted four seasons with the program, logging a record of 68-56, and had four years and $10 million left on his contract. In the past two seasons, his teams went just 2-14 against ranked opponents.
As the search continues for a head coach who can provide a jolt to a once proud basketball program, multiple reports indicate that St. John's and Iona's Rick Pitino have mutual interest.
Pitino, seen by many as an obvious candidate given his history coaching in the Big East with Providence and Louisville, is the only head coach in history to lead three different programs to a Final Four appearance, which he did with the Friars, Cardinals, and with Kentucky.
According to the New York Post, there is a shared interest between the two sides, though Pitino in years past has voiced his commitment to the Gaels, who have become a powerhouse in the MAAC under Pitino's watch, having logged back-to-back 30-win seasons. But an opening at St. John's, not far from Iona, could sway Pitino to return to a larger stage.
According to college basketball insider Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, St. John's has already started the vetting process for Pitino.
Pitino, if hired, would bring an undeniable coaching pedigree to St. John's, but he would also bring his share of past controversies. He was fired by Louisville after a pay-for-play scandal at the program where corporate sponsor Adidas allegedly paid a recruit to commit to the Cardinals. He also was issued a suspension for another scandal at Louisville, after it was found that the program "arranged striptease dances and sex acts for prospects, student-athletes and others" between 2010 and 2014.
Pitino never served that suspension, as he was fired before he could. Pitino denied having any role in those scandals, but later said on WFAN that he deserved to be fired since it all occurred under his watch.
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