All Episodes

January 3, 2025 45 mins

Send us a text

Hello Johnnie basketball fans and welcome back to No Place I'd Rather Be, the podcast about St. John's University basketball and the legacy of Minnesota’s all-time collegiate wins leader Coach Jim Smith. Today, we’re back with our regularly scheduled programming as we continue to traverse the decades of Smitty’s 51-year career. But unlike our first two seasons, season three has a little something different … by the time we get to the end of this season we will have entered a new era of St. John's basketball as we get an insider’s look at the transition from Coach Smith to head coach Pat McKenzie, now in his tenth season at the helm of your favorite basketball team and entered the season with 174 wins to 53 losses. That’s … pretty good. But enough on that. We’ll get there. Today, we pick up right where we left off at the end of season two, smack dab in the middle of the 90s with ‘95 grad Joe Deignan, a two-time academic All-American who played 105 career games in the cardinal and blue, Deignan sits 27th all-time for SJU in points with 1,113 … 4th all-time with 333 career assists … fifth in three pointers made with 172 … 8th in games played … 8th in total minutes with 2,839 … tied for 10th in games started … and was a two-time All-MIAC selection. Also, while we try to keep this show as family-friendly as we can, there is some expressive language used on occasion throughout the episode with the bleeps. So with all of that, here is Joe Deignan with Coach Smith, Tom Connell and John Russett. 

...

Thanks to Joe Deignan for sitting down and talking with the guys. 

Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:

- Sixth Man Enterprises

- The Sexton Family Foundation

- Bobbi and John Augustine

- Maggie and Marty McCaslin

- Steve Cummings at Nova Group

- Matt Johnson

- Rick DesLauriers

- Sue and Jim Bowe

- John Schultz

 Thank you to everyone who helps make our projects possible.

Are you a member of the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association? You should be! Sign up right now to join the Johnnie Basketball Nation and connect with teammates and friends, flip through old photos, even listen to episodes of the podcast. Founded and managed by SJU basketball alumni and friends, the Johnnie Basketball Alumni Association exists to foster the already formidable Johnnie Basketball Nation. Go to johnniebasketballalumni.org to see what it's all about.

We have a new website! Check it out here: benchwarmersmedia.org

Take a look through the record books, watch live games and stay up-to-date on all Johnnies sports action at gojohnnies.com.


Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Cold Case Files: Miami

Cold Case Files: Miami

Joyce Sapp, 76; Bryan Herrera, 16; and Laurance Webb, 32—three Miami residents whose lives were stolen in brutal, unsolved homicides.  Cold Case Files: Miami follows award‑winning radio host and City of Miami Police reserve officer  Enrique Santos as he partners with the department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit, determined family members, and the advocates who spend their lives fighting for justice for the victims who can no longer fight for themselves.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.