Report: St. John's Steve Lavin 'Unlikely' To Return This Season

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- St. John's has floundered without Steve Lavin's leadership on the bench -- and it appears he isn't close to returning.

According to the New York Post, Lavin "will most probably not" return to coach the Red Storm in 2012.

Assistant Mike Dunlap has led the 7-7 Johnnies in Lavin's absence.

The 47-year-old missed his ninth straight game Tuesday night as he recovers from prostate cancer surgery on Oct. 6.

Lavin told WFAN's Mike Francesa in November that he is cancer-free, but his stamina isn't quite to the point where he can coach.

"That is where our concentration lies as the University community,"  St. John's president Fr. Donald J. Harrington told the Post in a statement. "Our fans and supporters all look forward to his return when he and his doctors deem he is 100 percent ready to resume his full-time coaching duties."

Lavin has been focusing instead on the recruitment of top talent to the university.

"I will continue a modified schedule with duties that include being at practices, recruiting the 2012 class and attending certain games," Lavin said in a statement Tuesday.

Last season under Lavin, St. John's made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2002.

Will the Red Storm be able to turn it around without Lavin? Sound off below...