St. John’s dysfunction highlights Iona’s consistency as Cluess remains with Gaels

Tim Cluess’ decision to turn St. John’s down after not receiving serious interest is only beneficial to Iona, who will now further solidify its place as New York area’s most consistent program of decade. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

When St. John’s entered the market for a new head coach twelve days ago following Chris Mullin’s resignation that may or may not have been forced, one of the first names to be mentioned for the position — and with good reason — was Tim Cluess, the head coach at Iona College who turned the Gaels into a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference powerhouse.

Cluess checked every box that St. John’s was looking for, save one, that being the school’s unwillingness to pay his buyout and not even speaking to Iona to even negotiate a method of compensation to lure the former Lou Carnesecca player back to a situation that was widely considered his dream job. As a result, the Red Storm trusted its future to Mike Anderson — by all means, a very good hire by athletic director Mike Cragg — after Cluess, who was strung along with no serious intent to be targeted after St. John’s president Bobby Gempesaw and vice president Joe Oliva essentially torpedoed his candidacy, despite being Cragg’s choice after Bobby Hurley said thanks, but no thanks — took his name out of the conversation Thursday morning with the following statement:

“I would like to start by thanking everyone for all their support,” Cluess began. “I am truly blessed to have so many people say so many nice things. When I was unexpectedly contacted last week, it opened up a flood of emotions. For those of you who have ever lost a loved one, you know there are special places, trinkets, and memories that keep them alive in your heart and soul. St. John’s was one of those key places where my love for family has been a part of my life since my earliest memories.”

“In my heart, the thought of reestablishing the connection to my brothers, Kevin and Greg, through the possible opportunity to coach at St. John’s — and the chance to help bring back their rich tradition in the process — made it hard to walk away from. There comes a point where the reality of the situation becomes clearer and moving forward is what is needed.”

And so Cluess, whose four siblings all graduated from St. John’s, an institution he spoke of reverently just sixteen months ago when his Iona team faced the Red Storm at Madison Square Garden, politely told his one-time alma mater that he — in no uncertain terms — was not going to be played like a fiddle when it was clear that he was not wanted by the powers that be at St. John’s. But the loss in Queens is a gain in New Rochelle, where Cluess is welcomed back with open arms and appreciated by everyone associated with the school, to whom he has taken to a half-dozen NCAA Tournaments in nine years at the helm. Furthermore, Iona is the winningest program in the New York metropolitan area under Cluess, and second only behind Syracuse in all of New York State since Cluess replaced Kevin Willard in 2010. Advantage, maroon and gold.

“I love my players at Iona and being a coach here, and I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love at a place I love,” Cluess said Thursday. “I look forward to continuing to grow the Iona program to higher levels.”

As does everyone that continues to support a native son of sorts, despite the ill-advised and misdirected criticisms he may have had in the eyes of St. John’s brass. And although Mike Anderson could eventually prove to be a solid hire, the reality is he has his hands full at a program and in a territory where he has no experience, whereas Cluess can get right back to work with the early favorite to win the MAAC yet again next season, as four starters return to an Iona outfit angling for its unprecedented fifth consecutive conference tournament championship.

Anyone who knows Cluess knows of his ability to produce in clutch situations and when the expectations around him are at their highest. Maybe next March, when St. John’s is in the all-too-familiar situation of being on the bubble and living and dying with each dribble leading up to Selection Sunday, while Iona — assuming all goes according to plan — has a more secure postseason path, will show the decision-makers in Queens what they could have had if only they were wise enough to open their eyes.