AD says hire is ‘perfect’

Mike Anderson is getting another chance at St. John’s.

Anderson was hired as Red Storm coach on Friday after he was fired by Arkansas last month. He also had head coaching stints at Missouri and UAB before leading the Razorbacks to five postseason appearances and a 169-102 record in eight seasons.

“Coach Anderson is one of the most respected coaches in college basketball and there is no doubt in my mind that he is the perfect fit to lead our program,” athletic director Mike Cragg said in a statement.

“He has built programs and has sustained success throughout his career. We are confident that his extensive coaching experience, recruiting acumen and skill development program will elevate St. John’s basketball to new heights.”

The 59-year-old Anderson takes over for former St. John’s star Chris Mullin, who resigned on April 10, citing a “recent personal loss.” His older brother, Roddy, died last month at 58 after battling cancer for years.

Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley and Loyola-Chicago’s Porter Moser were reportedly targeted by St. John’s before it decided on Anderson, who has a 369-200 record in 17 seasons. He has never had a losing record as a head coach.

“This basketball program is rooted with such great tradition and it has a history built by legendary coaches, so this is a humbling experience,” Anderson said in a statement. “I look forward to mentoring the young men who will represent St. John’s proudly on the court, in the classroom and in our community.”

Anderson, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, spent the first part of his career working for Nolan Richardson. He played for Richardson at Tulsa before becoming an assistant under Richardson with the Golden Hurricane.

When Richardson departed for Arkansas, Anderson joined him in Fayetteville. He was an assistant coach at Arkansas for 17 years, helping the Razorbacks win the national championship in 1995.