Steve Lavin is the only hope St. John's has left of remaining a high major program. To me, this board is falling into the classic "Don't know whatcha got till it's gone" scenario. We fire Lavin, we immediately become a mid-major. Now, it's true we play like one now, but we recruit like a top 25 program with Lavin. We lose Lavin, not only will we play like a mid-major, we will recruit like one and maybe make the tournament once a decade. Do you really long for the days of fighting over 2 star recruits with mid-majors?
Changing coaches and rebuilding every 5 years is not the answer. I still think Lavin can be very successful here. You all are fooling yourselves if you think he'll be fired, not a chance. The most likely way he's not the coach next year is if he leaves on his own.
This season has been very disappointing thus far. No way around that. But, let's see how the rest plays out. Still a chance we can right the ship and turn in a respectable conference record.
Serious question, I'm not trying to instigate, but why do you think that Steve Lavin is the only person who could successfully recruit here?
Is he that unique?
I agree with what you said, that its worth reminding people that you may not know what you have till it's gone, but at the same time I would remind you not to be afraid of the unknown.
Who was Calhoun before he went to UCONN? Nick Saban was at Toledo when Michigan State made him their head coach.
Jay Wright? Mark Few? Tom Crean? etc. These guys weren't "big names" when they got hired, and most of them didn't walk into plush jobs. But if you looked under the surface they had what it takes to be successful.
Rick Pitino, Calipari, Billy Donovan etc aren't walking in the door, but you don't know who the next generation of those guys is. Who's to say it's not Steve Maisello or Orlando Antigua? You can't make a superficial decision, you've got to see what these guys are made of. There are others who can recruit here.
I honestly believe that nobody outside of a big name coach could recruit close to the level Lavin has here, correct. If you told me the day Lavin was hired he would get this many highly rated recruits I would have called you insane.
And I agree, there are unknown coaches, but it's a huge risk. When you hire an unknown coach, there's a much higher chance you hire another Norm Roberts than a Jim Calhoun.