Lavin says he will 'be back on sidelines'
Head coach Steve Lavin of the St. John's Red Storm gestures during a game against the Arizona at Wildcats at the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at Madison Square Garden. (Nov. 17, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
For the first time since putting his coaching duties on hold two months ago to focus on his recovery from prostate cancer surgery, St. John's Steve Lavin Wednesday night offered assurances that he will return to his full-time role in the future. But he couldn't say whether that might be this season or next.
"I'll definitely be back on the sidelines," Lavin told reporters before the Red Storm met West Virginia at Madison Square Garden. "But I have to be mindful of the doctors' advisement and do what's best for my health."
On Oct. 6, Lavin underwent an unusually difficult seven-hour surgery for prostate cancer. After missing the season opener on Nov. 7, he returned to coach St. John's for its next four games starting with a Nov. 9 win over Lehigh. But when he suffered what he described as a "setback" in terms of energy and stamina, Lavin stepped away from coaching games and the bulk of most practices on the advice of his doctors.
Lavin praised the job assistant Mike Dunlap, who has been running the team, and the rest of the staff have done in his absence. The head coach consults on practice and game plans, and he has remained active in recruiting. Lavin is cancer-free, and he said his energy has improved.
"I went to Monday's practice and participated as much as I have in any practice post-surgery," Lavin said. I'm close to where I was prior to the setback, but there's no change in strategy or thinking in terms of staying the course."
The 47-year-old coach watched Wednesday night's game from a luxury suite at the Garden, as he has done on previous occasions. Although some coaches say the travel involved in recruiting is the most physically draining aspect of the job, Lavin said it's the stress level involved in game coaching that drains him.
He described coaching games as "an out-of-body experience" and added, "The blood pressure goes north. I have to listen to my doctors . . . Game coaching is the only aspect of the job that concerned them because they had an opportunity to see the results that I couldn't come back before I let the body heal. I put myself in harm's way, and it cost us dearly . . . But I'm probably back to where I was right before the Lehigh game. Now, the temptation is to think, 'I'm fine. Let's go.' But because of the last experience, we're taking a conservative approach."
Until Lavin actually returns to the bench, the Red Storm's recruiting rivals undoubtedly will use the uncertainty surrounding his situation against him. But Lavin noted he recently convinced Texas A&M point guard Jamal Branch to transfer to St. John's next season, winning a battle with UCLA, Maryland and Marquette.
Lavin said he addressed the question of his health before Branch could ask. "It's the elephant in the room," Lavin said. "I brought it up out of the gate. I said I had cancer; I had successful surgery and now I'm cancer-free and trying to fully recover."
