gophers/ncaa

Should ahve went with Grant!

John used to always talk about how SJU always found a way to replace irreplaceable players...let's hope with that with hiring Gary SJU found a way to replace irreplaceable coach!

Last chance for Hartman to influence anything. It's over Sidney, and he isn't going to like it (if someone actually tells him).

If you knew anything about SJU FB, Fasching was the front runner. Maybe Grant was 5-10 years ago when he was angling for the job by standing on the sidelines.

Unless you were on the search committee or doing the interviewing, how can you possibly say Mike Grant was the front-runner? The simple fact that his last name is Grant and he was an alumnus of St. Johns? To me, it sounds like Fasching was more qualified and a great choice, as he spent 17 years on Gagliardi's staff and knows the system and the school.

While Fasching is a good choice, the decision guarantees employment for the existing coaching staff. The selection committee didn't want to face the ugliness of booting the assistants under a new outside head coach. Safe and clean, but far from courageous.

As an SJU alum this is disappointing to say the least. Given the struggles the last few years don't feel status quo was the way to go.

Fasching hadn't been contacted the morning of the 26th and Grant had a no comment so that lended to the case that it was offered to Grant but if I know St. John's, they offered a low salary and were trying to get by on the cheap. But hey, have fun getting by St. Thomas without having the ability to recruit with a named coach.

Roymercer nailed it. Fasching's family (which includes five children) resides in St. Joseph, MN. The man has devoted the past twenty-five years to SJU football. To bring in an outsider would have resulted in the termination of several long-time coaches and staff members, including Fasching. That would have been gutsy. The decision to choose Fasching as head coach was not. John Gagliardi clearly had significant input into the decision (and supported someone who had shown him loyalty for nearly thirty years). As a St. John's alum, I hope for the best, but I have my doubts. Mike Grant was not only a big name and a successful coach, but a guy who could get the top metro recruits to come up to Collegeville (guys who have been choosing St. Thomas for the past few years -- and taking them to the DIII championship game). The choice makes me feel like SJU decided that finishing second or below in the MIAC is good enough now that Gagliardi is gone. I hope I'm wrong.

Status quo. Caruso is smiling as SJU is relegated to a has been. Unfortunate that the administration could not make an inspiring choice.