St. Johns Red Storm: 5 Potential Steve Lavin Replacements

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Steve Masiello

Dec 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Manhattan Jaspers head coach Steve Masiello reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 65-56. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Masiello is arguably the best fit for this job. He grew up in New York, and currently coaches in the area as the head man for the Manhattan Jaspers. Last season some controversy surrounded him as he tried to accept the head coaching job with the South Florida Bulls, but there were some discrepancies in his resume about his graduation from Kentucky. He ended up back at Manhattan, and just continued the success he had been building upon.

With Manhattan, Masiello has made two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, something St. John’s hasn’t accomplished since the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 seasons. In 2014 they played Louisville tough as a 13-seed, and this season they fell to the Hampton Pirates in the play-in game.

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44 wins and two NCAA tournament appearances speak for themselves, as Masiello has improved on his resume since trying to go to South Florida last season. Now it seems he could be ready to move on again, as sources at the New York Post say Masiello would be extremely interested in filling the vacancy at St. John’s.

He has shown that he can obviously coach at a high level, but what could be his most important asset is his ability to recruit the New York area. When St. John’s was at it’s best, they were dominating the New York city basketball scene for recruiting. New York isn’t the hotbed for prospects that it once was, but there is still some serious talent that can be unearthed.

Masiello has proven that he can recruit that talent, coach it and handle the pressure that comes with working in New York. He could be the man to help turn things around in St. John’s.

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