St. John's Univ. AD Chris Monasch "is out" after a decade with the school, according to Roger Rubin of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. SJU on Thursday announced that Monasch had resigned, but a source said that he "was forced out." NBA Kings GM Pete D'Alessandro is a "likely candidate" to replace Monasch. During Monasch’s tenure, SJU "improved its national athletic profile -- including its move to the reformulated Big East -- but his tenure also has been marred by missteps and ethically ambiguous moments." One of Monasch’s "biggest gaffes was not embracing the old guard." The source said that former men's basketball coach Lou Carnesecca "did not feel the embrace of the school after Monasch came aboard." The other "big misstep was alienating" golfer Keegan Bradley, the school’s "most-visible athlete and public supporter." Bradley was "said to be incensed about a decision to dismiss golf coach Frank Darby last year and was agitated even more that Monasch did not seriously consider Casey Calmi -- Bradley’s recommendation" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/29). In N.Y., Braziller & Kussoy note SJU under Monasch's leadership "made several important improvements" in its facilities, such as a "multi-phase renovation of Carnesecca Arena and upgrades to Belson Stadium, and Jack Kaiser Stadium, home to the soccer and baseball teams, respectively." There were also "new partnerships with IMG College, Under Armour and he helped launch the St. John’s Television Network" (N.Y. POST, 5/29). On Long Island, Greg Logan cites sources as saying that negotiations with Monasch for his exit "began after the basketball season ended." Monasch was "closely aligned with former basketball coach Steve Lavin and urged the school to extend his contract, but he was overruled" by SJU President Conrado Gempesaw, who hired SJU alum Chris Mullin to replace Lavin and "ultimately made the decision to replace Monasch" (NEWSDAY, 5/29).
FOLLOW THE LEADER? In Sacramento, Jason Jones notes Mullin, a former Warriors exec, hired D'Alessandro there in '04 as Dir of Basketball Operations. D'Alessandro "also graduated" from SJU in '86. However, a league source said that D'Alessandro "hasn't been offered" the AD position (SACBEE.com, 5/28).
