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Mullin considers turning around St John’s an ‘obligation’

FILE - In this March 19, 2012, file photo, former Golden State Warriors player Chris Mullin laughs while speaking at a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Oakland, Calif. Chris Mullin is coming home to St. John's. The Red Storm announced Tuesday, March 31, 2015 that their career scoring leader and the player who led them to the 1985 Final Four is returning as coach. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) FILE - In this March 19, 2012, file photo, former Golden State Warriors player Chris Mullin laughs while speaking at a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves in Oakland, Calif. Chris Mullin is coming home to St. John's. The Red Storm announced Tuesday, March 31, 2015 that their career scoring leader and the player who led them to the 1985 Final Four is returning as coach. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

By Associated Press April 1, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Chris Mullin says he considers trying to turn around the St. John’s basketball program an “obligation.”

Mullin said at his introductory news conference Wednesday that he wasn’t worrying about tarnishing his legacy as a player at his alma mater, where he still ranks as the school’s all-time leading scorer.

The 51-year-old Mullin has no coaching experience, but he believes his experience in NBA front offices prepared him well because pro franchises now must develop rookies who come into the league as raw teenagers. He says he spoke to players-turned-coaches including Larry Bird, Steve Kerr and Mark Jackson as he decided to take the job.

Mullin had the fans at Carnesecca Arena roaring with approval as he promised to return to the Red Storm to the level of his playing days, when he led the team to the 1985 Final Four.