BY RODERICK BOONE
Norm Roberts isn't going anywhere.
St. John's just sent a release out stating Roberts is still going to be roaming the Red Storms' sidelines next season. With St. John's fading badly down the stretch and once again being irrelevant in the metropolitan area's college basketball scene, there had been whispers about Roberts' job security.
SJU athletic director Chris Monasch put a rest to that by announcing Roberts is safe for next season and beyond.
“In recent weeks there has been speculation regarding the status of Norm Roberts’ future as head men’s basketball coach at St. John's University,” Monasch said in a statement. “Most of those comments focused on the pace of progress measured solely by wins. Our assessment of what Norm and his staff have accomplished over the past four years is broader than that, and in many key areas the progress is consistent with the expectations expressed by the University, our supporters and Coach Roberts when he was hired in 2004. Norm has established the foundation of a great program – integrity, hard work and discipline – and while we join many of our loyal fans in wanting to see that foundation generate greater success on the court, we are confident that the program will return to its winning tradition in the very near future.
"I felt it was important to make this announcement at this time so that our coaches and players can focus on the last three games of the season as we attempt to qualify for the Big East Championship Tournament," Monasch's statement continued. "Also, it is important for recruits who are in the process of making decisions to know that Norm Roberts will be the coach at St. John’s University."
So in essence, for those who wanted Roberts out, it's not going to happen.
To check out Joe Gergen's story on Roberts, click here.