Steve Lavin Leaves ESPN For St. John's

ESPN seems to be shuffling people in and out on a daily basis these days, and the latest to leave is College Basketball analyst, Steve Lavin. Lavin has decided to take on the challenge that is St. John's Redman Red Storm, and will be their head coach next season. Via the Associated Press....

Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin has agreed to become the basketball coach at St. John's.

The school said Tuesday that a news conference to introduce Lavin would be held Wednesday.

Lavin has been an analyst for ESPN since UCLA fired him in 2003. He had a 145-78 record with UCLA, leading the school to the NCAA tournament's round of 16 five times. The Bruins reached the final eight in 1997, his first season.

St. John's, which fired Norm Roberts after six seasons, has not been to the NCAA tournament since 2002.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt rejected an offer from St. John's last week. Al Skinner, who was fired by Boston College on Tuesday, also was interviewed.

I always thought Lavin was more interested in being on TV, than actually coaching, but I guess the allure of the Garden has drawn him back. This move also brings an end to one of AA's all-time "favorite" announcing duos, in Lavin and Brent Musburger. RIP Lavinburger....RIP.