St. John’s is still searching for their next head coach after Porter Moser turned down an eight-year deal and a significant pay raise.
The saga continues. The St. John’s Red Storm have to regroup after missing out on Loyola-Chicago’s Porter Moser. According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, the Johnnies offered Moser an eight-year deal worth more than $2 million per season.
The deal for Moser materialized quickly after he met with higher-ups on Monday night for dinner. Despite the lucrative offer, St. John’s wasn’t able to entice Moser to come to Queens.
This is the second target that St. John’s will miss out on. Prior to Moser, there were reports that Bobby Hurley would be the Red Storm’s top target before he signed an extension with Arizona State.
This leaves St. John’s in a precarious position. The clock is ticking and every day this coaching search drags on, the tougher life becomes for the incoming coach.
Tim Cluess from Iona College is still a significant possibility and there is little chance that he would turn St. John’s down. He played for the Johnnies under Lou Carnesseca between 1979 and 1981.
While Moser and Hurley had legitimate reasons to stay where they are, Cluess would be crazy to forego the opportunity to take his dream job.
Of course, Iona is developing into a mid-major power. Under Cluess, the Gaels have advanced to the NCAA Tournament six times in nine years as head coach. That being said, it’s hard to see Cluess turning down an offer.
