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St. John’s Basketball: 5 Coaching replacements for Chris Mullin

By Joey Loose

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Chris Mullin of the St. John's Red Storm reacts against the Long Island Blackbirds in the second half of the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival at Barclays Center on December 11, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Chris Mullin of the St. John's Red Storm reacts against the Long Island Blackbirds in the second half of the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival at Barclays Center on December 11, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gives instructions in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gives instructions in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

4. Mark Jackson (formerly Golden State Warriors)

Jackson starred at St. John’s in the 80’s just like Chris Mullin before embarking on a long playing career in the NBA. Jackson spent three seasons as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, but was fired in 2014 before the franchise began winning NBA titles. His 121-109 run at Golden State is his only coaching experience, though he was an All-Star point guard.

The positive with hiring someone like Jackson is the NBA pedigree that he brings to the table, but at a considerable risk. This hiring would be very similar to Mullin, and that certainly didn’t work for the Red Storm. Former NBA players like Avery Johnson and Clyde Drexler failed as head coaches, but perhaps Jackson could fare better.

Unlike Mullin, he does have some coaching experience, though he’s been unable (or unwilling) to land another job since Golden State released him. Regardless, he coached Steph Curry and Klay Thompson near the beginning of their careers and he could unlock a gold mine of recruiting for his alma mater. He’s been an NBA analyst for ESPN since his firing and he’s no doubt honed his scouting these last few years.

Honestly, hiring a second straight NBA star without college coaching experience isn’t the best idea, especially with how things transpired during Mullin’s time at the school. If Jackson’s staff has experienced college coaches who can help him recruit collegiate athletes, then this hire could work. However, if St. John’s loses another Abdelmassih type of recruiter, then the dominoes fall down and the Jackson hire will fail just like Mullin.