Tim Cluess
(AP Photo / Hans Pennink)

The St. John’s Red Storm are interested in replacing former head coach Chris Mullin with Iona’s Tim Cluess.

The St. John’s Red Storm have a major decision to make. In the wake of Chris Mullin’s resignation, athletic director Mike Cragg must find the right man for the job. According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, the Johnnies are interested in Tim Cluess of Iona.

“As of late Wednesday, Tim Cluess was involved in informal discussions with St. John’s to become its next head coach, and an official request with Iona to speak to its head coach was expected soon, a source familiar with the talks told The Post,” Braziller writes.

Cluess would be an excellent candidate for the job. He has knowledge of the New York area and brought little Iona College to six NCAA Tournaments. Moreover, he’s taken the Gaels to the Big Dance in four consecutive years. He may not be a marquee name, but he has the right credentials.

 

Braziller also discusses another candidate for the job—Bobby Hurley. The Arizona state head coach beat the Red Storm in a “First Four” game in Dayton this year during the NCAA Tournament. He’s another local guy with ties to the New York area.

“Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley has been viewed as athletic director Mike Cragg’s top choice, but there was doubt he would leave the Pac-12 school, and St. John’s was still monitoring his situation,” Braziller writes. “Hurley earned a reported $2.4 million last year, had a hefty buyout and is under contract through 2023. A source close to Hurley told The Post he likes living out West and would need to be blown away to leave the Pac-12 school for a rebuilding job at St. John’s, though coming back home did interest him.”

Cragg would be lucky to land either candidate, but it appears like the Johnnies have a clearer path to pursue Cluess. The coaching search is still developing as Cragg weighs his options.

Commercial content writer for Sportradar. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.