St. John's Needs To Read This Story About Rick Pitino And Then Save Its Program By Hiring Him Right Now

So I saw this tweet by Norlander, gave it a read and immediately thought of one thing. This is the only way St. John's can currently save their program. There's no reason for St. John's to be awful. But Mike Anderson isn't cutting it. Mike Anderson is a fine coach. He wins enough but never just takes over. That's kind of how I would sum him up. He's been a head coach for 20 years and made it to the second weekend just twice. 

But this is specific to St. John's. He hasn't made the NCAA Tournament there yet and he ain't sniffing it this year. In fact he currently has Andre Curbelo in street clothes for unspecified reasons. They are 16-12 with two decent wins and well, that's it. The point is St. John's is going nowhere. They aren't improving like they should have after the Chris Mullin disaster. 

So when I see quotes like this, there's only one thing to do: 

[CBS] - "I was offered three really good jobs last year," Pitino said. "But I told the one job, it was a big-time job, I said, 'Look, I've got a $5 million buyout. I had $10 million prior to that. I'm not worth that.'"

Sources told CBS Sports the job Pitino is alluding to is Maryland, which hired Kevin Willard — a former Iona coach and someone in Pitino's circle. (Holy Cross and Rhode Island also inquired.) Pitino's buyout and his uncertain NCAA situation made him ungettable for most ADs even willing to entertain the fantasy. That's no longer the case. In the offseason, Pitino went to Carey and had his buyout taken down to $0, making him easier to pluck. He's in the third year of his initial five-year contract.

"I have no idea what the answer is about where I'll be or what I'll do," Pitino said. "I know I love the place. I know I'm eight minutes away. I know I love Winged Foot. … I do know that there's certain places and there's 20 or 30 states where I don't want to live."

So he at the minimum listened to jobs a year ago. I don't really understand the whole Maryland thing because he says he wasn't worth it but also says he doesn't want a Big 10 job because Minnesota fired his son. If I'm a Maryland fan I'd be furious because he'd kill it there. No doubt in my mind he would have had Maryland awesome for 5 years. That's ultimately the thing with Pitino. He's obviously older in age, but he's also the best game coach in America. It's him or Bill Self and I give the edge to Pitino. You ask people and he's the answer to what coach do you want in the world to save itself vs aliens game. 

But look at the rest. His buyout is now $0. That's enticing enough! He only wants to live in 20 or 30 states (pending what side of that he really means). We know New York is there because he already lives there. Shit, let him stay at Winged Foot. According to a quick Google Maps it's 35 minutes right now from Winged Foot to St. John's. Do whatever it takes to let him stay at Winged Foot. I'd do the same. Winged Foot is awesome. 

He has other quotes in the story where he contradicts himself. He hates being in a one-bid league. But at the same time he says he want to stay at Iona because he's invested in the kids he recruited. Then again he says he wants a challenge and would leave for a place he thinks he can get to a Final Four. Say what you want about St. John's but he can get them to a Final Four. They are a Big East team, he can recruit New York and he can coach his ass off. 

He's going to be linked to every job again. It's what happens when you're Rick Pitino. But if you're St. John's you have to let him. Can't let him think about Georgetown. Can't let him leave the state for another power conference school.