Again, he's maybe the most hated coach out there that really never did anything wrong nor failed at his task. Dozens of other fan bases think Lavin can't coach either thanks to the UCLA fans. Truth is that it spread like wildfire back then. I think that even I believed it. I just finally realized that the numbers don't jive when trying to label him a horrible coach and failure.
This SJU job is the time for him to shine though. I'm not saying he's the next Izzo when drawing up plays, but I don't think there are many coaches out there who have his recruiting prowess, charisma and understanding of how to GM a program. He surrounds himself with great people because he knows they can help springboard him to the next level.
SJU a great job for him. Good tradition, fan base, and a program desperate to get back to the upper tier in one of the most amazing cities in the world. I will continue to thank UCLA fans for running him out of town, as we continue to rack up top 20-70 recruits and building a powerhouse.