Coach K’s Influential Role In St. John’s Hiring Mike Anderson

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports May 2, 2019; New York City, NY, USA; St. John’s Red Storm new mens basketball head coach Mike Anderson looks on from the field before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field.There’s a bit of a Duke back story to St. John’s hiring Mike Anderson.

Johnnie’s AD Mike Cragg was at Duke basically forever before taking the St. John’s job and he was a key figure in building the Duke program and brand, albeit behind the scenes. He’s a terrific fundraiser and a good guy who people instinctively like.

So when he was surprised by the resignation of basketball coach Chris Mullin and began his search (he…