Sacramento Kings adviser Chris Mullin reportedly will leave the team to coach his alma mater, St. John's. The hiring is expected to be formally announced on Tuesday or Wednesday, according to at least two reports.
Assuming there aren't any last-minute complications, Mullin is expected to become the next head coach of the St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team. CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein first reported the news on Sunday.
"St. John's has offered Chris Mullin the opportunity to be its next head basketball coach and he is expected to accept, multiple sources say," Rothstein wrote. "The two sides were hammering out final details on a contract Sunday that would make Mullin the successor to Steve Lavin, who was fired Friday after five years at the school.
"Barring a last-minute snag in the negotiations, the administration is hoping to have a press conference Tuesday or Wednesday."
ESPN confirmed the report on Monday.
Mullin has worked as a special adviser to Sacramento since owner Vivek Ranadive took over in 2013. Before then, he was the Golden State Warriors general manager from 2004 to 2009. Prior to his 16-year career in the NBA, where he spent all but three seasons with the Warriors, Mullin was a three-time Big East Player of the Year winner for St. John's in the 1980s.
He'll be inheriting a collegiate team that went 21-12 this season after losing to San Diego State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Although Mullin has no head-coaching experience, Rothstein reported St. John's is hopeful it can have the same kind of the kind of success Iowa State has had since hiring Fred Hoiberg in 2010.
