St. John’s coach Rick Pitino is considering candidates to replace general manager Matt Abdelmassih, who was fired by the university.
Abdelmassih confirmed his departure to Newsday on Tuesday night, but declined to make additional comments, according to the newspaper.
Newsday reported that Abdelmassih was placed on administrative leave last month following a review of his financial management as general manager. His responsibilities included negotiating with players and agents on behalf of St. John’s, as well as raising funds for the university’s NIL collective.
“Look, it’s never good to see people leave, but in the eyes of the university, it was more than justified,” Pitino said Tuesday night after the Red Storm defeated Marquette 92-68.
Pitino said he received official word of his general manager’s dismissal on Tuesday.
“Four days ago they just told me to find another general manager. They told me, ‘Don’t ask questions.’ I told them, ‘Well, I’ll find one.’ It’s no big deal.”
Abdelmassih graduated from St. John’s in 2007 and was a student-coach for the Red Storm before beginning his coaching career. He worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves and later was an assistant coach at Iowa State and Nebraska. He was also part of the coaching staff at St. John’s under former coach Chris Mullin, and was hired by Pitino in 2023.
In 2020, ESPN recognized Abdelmassih as one of the Top 40 Basketball Coaches Under 40.
On the season, St. John’s has a 12-5 record (5-1 in the Big East). The Red Storm finished with a 31-5 record last season and were the second seed in the NCAA Tournament.
–Field level media
