Breaking: St. John’s Dismisses General Manager, Pitino Begins Replacement Search
St. John’s University is initiating a leadership overhaul in its basketball operations after the program dismissed general manager Matt abdelmassih. The move comes as head coach Rick Pitino begins identifying candidates to fill the post.
Abdelmassih confirmed his departure to a local newspaper, declining to comment further.The university previously placed him on administrative leave while it reviewed his financial management in the role, which included negotiating with players and agents and fundraising for the school’s NIL collective.
“It’s never good to see people leave, but, in the eyes of the university, it was more than justified,” Pitino said after a win over Marquette. He noted he only learned of the dismissal on Tuesday evening.
“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,” Pitino added.
Abdelmassih, a St. John’s alumnus who graduated in 2007, had deeper roots with the program. He began as a student-coach, later worked in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and served as an assistant at Iowa State and Nebraska. He returned to St. John’s on Pitino’s staff in 2023, after previously working with former coach Chris Mullin.
Notably, Abdelmassih was recognized in 2020 by ESPN as one of the Top 40 Basketball Coaches Under 40, underscoring his rapid rise in college hoops before this departure.
On the court this season, St. John’s is 12-5 with a 5-1 mark in the Big East. The Red Storm compiled a 31-5 record last season and earned the NCAA Tournament’s No. 2 seed, a benchmark that amplifies the urgency of securing a capable general manager to navigate continued success.
Summary table of key facts:
| item | Details |
|---|---|
| Program | St. John’s Red Storm (Basketball) |
| Role Affected | General Manager (Matt Abdelmassih) |
| Status | Dismissed by university; on administrative leave prior to dismissal |
| Coach | Rick Pitino |
| Current Record | 12-5 overall; 5-1 in Big East |
| Past Season | 31-5; NCAA Tournament No. 2 seed |
| Main Responsibilities | Player/agent negotiations; NIL fundraising |
| Alumnus/Background | Graduated 2007; former Timberwolves staff; Mullin/Pitino era; joined Pitino in 2023 |
With Abdelmassih out, Pitino’s task is to identify a capable successor who can manage NIL partnerships, fundraising, and player negotiations while sustaining the program’s competitive trajectory. No replacement has been announced as the search proceeds.
Two questions for readers: What qualities should a modern basketball general manager bring to a program like St. John’s? How should universities balance aggressive NIL fundraising with on-court performance and player development?
Stay with us for updates as St. John’s outlines its next steps in reshaping its basketball leadership.
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