MINNEAPOLIS — The day after the stunning news that Chris Mullin was stepping down as head coach after four seasons at his alma mater, St. John’s had still yet to make any statements about his status. Here’s what we know:
— Monday night, shortly before the news was reported, Mullin spoke to Vice President for Administration, Secretary and General Counsel Joe Oliva about his uncertain future, as athletic director Mike Cragg was flying back from the Final Four. Mullin, who had two years left on his deal and roughly $4 million owed to him, had been looking for a contract extension.
— Nobody on the coaching staff had heard from Mullin or the school as of Tuesday morning, per sources. The players also were still in the dark and were set to meet with the staff Tuesday afternoon. Several players already had expressed their desire to transfer.
— Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley is the school’s top target and has talked informally about the position in the recent past, sources said.
— Vitamin Water founder Mike Repole will be a “financial resource,” sources said, in the next step in the process, a significant development considering how much money it would take to land Hurley, who made $2.4 million last year, according to USA Today.
— According to a source, Rick Pitino reached out to the school on Monday expressing interest if the job opened up.