St. John’s legend Chris Mullin resigns after four years as head coach

Chris Mullin, a legend at St. John’s as a player, will resign as head coach of the Red Storm after four seasons. He was 59-73 during his tenure, steadily increasing in win total each season at the helm. The Johnnies won 21 games in 2018-19, reaching the “First Four” of the NCAA Tournament.

“Coach Mullin has a deep passion for this program and he has been committed to helping our student-athletes achieve their goals on and off the court, so I know this was not an easy decision,” AD Mike Cragg said in a release. “We wish him and his family nothing but the best as he begins this new chapter of his life.”

Hired in 2015, the SJU job was the first collegiate coaching stop for Mullin. The Brooklyn-native had been working in broadcasting and various NBA front office roles since retiring as a player in 2001.

“This has been an extremely emotional decision, but after a recent personal loss, I took time to reflect upon my true values and believe this is the right time to make a change,” Mullin said in his own statement. “I am forever grateful to St. John’s for giving me the opportunity to hear Carnesecca Arena and Madison Square Garden roar again for college basketball and especially for our players. I will always support St. John’s University in keeping our basketball tradition alive!”

Early reports indicate that the top choice for Cragg is Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley, a Jersey-native who played at Duke while Cragg was an administrator there. Other names that have already been linked to the job include Iona head coach Tim Cluess and Rick Pitino, coaching in Greece right now after his ouster from Louisville in 2017.

credit to John Minchillo/Associated Press for the photo