Boston College's Al Skinner Emerging as Potential Candidate at St. John's

As of Friday, sources have reported that Boston College head coach Al Skinner is now in talks with St. John's about their current coaching vacancy.

The head coaching job at St. John's has highlighted the coaching carousel that has begun to spin as the season winds down. Former St. John's head coach Norm Roberts was not retained by the University following their first-round exit in the NIT just two short weeks ago.

Boston College, on the other hand, wrapped up their 2009-2010 season with a 15-16 overall record— one that was quite disappointing in the eyes of Eagles' fans. Al Skinner, though, has had plenty of success in Chestnut Hill in the past.

At the age of 57, Skinner has many New York and New England connections. Born on Long Island, Skinner graduated from UMass before playing for the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. Skinner was also the head coach at the University of Rhode Island before becoming the all-time winningest coach in Boston College history.

St. John's has not had the best of weeks in speaking with potential candidates for the open coaching position. In the past week, current Florida head coach Billy Donovan shut down the opportunity, and that was followed by current Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt declining an offer as well.

The men's basketball program at St. John's has been disappointing in recent memory. The Red Storm have had much trouble competing in the nation's deepest conference. After their first-round loss to Memphis in the NIT, the focus has now turned to a new head coach, and an opportunity to move forward next season.

The Red Storm offer an interesting roster, who lose only one player (Senior Anthony Mason, Jr.) following this past season. Improvement will most likely be expected in the first year of whomever St. John's decides to name their new head coach.

Skinner, or his name at least, has emerged as the top candidate over the past 24 hours or so, but other rumored candidates included Seth Greenberg, Fran McCaffery, and Tom Pecora. However, Seth Greenberg has recently signed a six-year contract extension to remain on board with Virginia Tech, while Tom Pecora left Hofstra to take the same position at Fordham.

Fran McCaffery remains the head coach at Siena, and is coming off a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, but his name has been linked to St. John's, as well as the vacancy at Seton Hall. Should St. John's and Skinner work out a deal, McCaffery would most likely become a candidate at Boston College as well.

The University and their potential candidates have made quick work of their decisions, and one with Al Skinner will probably be very similar.