CLEVELAND — Steve Masiello would be extremely interested in the vacant St. John’s coaching position, multiple sources close to the Manhattan coach told The Post following Friday’s announcement Steve Lavin would not return.
Masiello, who grew up in nearby White Plains, has been discussed by school officials as one of the leading candidates and has significant support among higher-ups at the university, sources said.
“It would be his dream job,” a source close to Masiello said. “He’s a New Yorker through and through. It’s a natural fit.”
Masiello, 37, became the head coach at Manhattan in 2010, taking over a team that won six games in the season before his arrival.
In his first year, Masiello led the Jaspers to 21 wins, then took the team within three points of an NCAA Tournament the following season. Last year, he broke the school’s 10-year tournament drought, nearly upsetting defending champion Louisville. Following the departure of its three leading scorers, Manhattan made the tournament again this year.
Masiello has one more year remaining on his five-year contract with Manhattan, but a source said the buyout would not prohibit the coach from changing boroughs.
Appearing on “The Michael Kay Show” Friday afternoon, Masiello called St. John’s “one of the best jobs in the country” and a “phenomenal brand.”
Masiello was an assistant coach at Louisville for seven years under Rick Pitino, becoming one of the nation’s top recruiters with tremendous success in the New York area, landing top recruits and future NBA talent, such as Earl Clark, Samardo Samuels and Francisco Garcia, as well as Edgar Sosa. Masiello was previously an assistant coach at Manhattan (2001-05).
“He knows New York as well as anyone. He’s recruited New York for years,” a source said. “He’s dreamed of coaching at the Garden since his coaching career started.”
Masiello had planned on becoming head coach at South Florida after last season, but the offer was rescinded after a background check revealed he had not completed his undergraduate degree from Kentucky, as was listed on his résumé. Masiello, who had walked during the school’s graduation ceremony in 2000, said he was unaware of the discrepancy and completed the remaining credits over the summer.