There were some 2,000 empty seats in Alumni Hall Tuesday night, so a lot of St. John’s fans didn’t see their team get waxed 81-64 by Hofstra. But there were plenty of eyes belonging to powerful people who have been watching St. John’s slide under Mike Jarvis – and they’ve seen enough.

The search for a next coach hasn’t officially begun, but sources told The Post it will start by looking in the St. John’s record book. There you will find the name Mark Jackson.

Sources told The Post that Jackson has spoken to people close to the St. John’s situation and came away intrigued by the thought of coming back to the Big Apple and going into coaching. And sources close to St. John’s said the New York City hoops legend is very much on the administration’s radar.

With the all the markings of a brutal season in the makings – St. John’s is 1-3, its worst start in more than 50 years – the thought of Jackson on the bench might be all Red Storm players and fans can hope for.

“This is not what I came to St. John’s for,” said one player.

There are two problems with the Jackson-St. John’s scenario. Jarvis still has a year at $735,000 left on his deal. And the classy Jackson is the last man in basketball to talk openly about a job that isn’t officially available.

“I hope Mike Jarvis continues to be the coach at St. John’s for a long time,” Jackson told The Post by phone late Tuesday night. “I have great respect for that man. He came to my father’s funeral before I had even met the man.”

Neither problem is insurmountable. St. John’s already has begun working on the finances to cut ties with Jarvis after this season, according to a source. Jarvis’ agent, Rob Ades, told The Post that if St. John’s doesn’t want to honor the seventh year of the deal, so be it.

“It’s the golden rule,” said Ades. “Whoever has the gold, rules. If St. John’s wants to fire him, St. John’s will fire him. It’s just a matter of cost, huge cost.”

Another source told The Post that the only knock on Jackson is that he has no prior head-coaching experience. But the former Knick always epitomized the coach on the floor.

Jackson also understands what St. John’s is because he is St. John’s – a kid from Bishop Loughlin who came up through the city’s Catholic leagues and AAU programs to be the second leading assist man in NBA history.

“Who doesn’t want to be the next coach at St. John’s?” said one city basketball insider. “Make a list: Matt Doherty, Bobby Gonzalez, Dennis Wolff. But do any of those guys walk into a kid’s living room in the city and make the impact a Mark Jackson does?”

After Tuesday night’s blowout loss, point guard Elijah Ingram said that not every player had given a full effort. Swingman Andre Stanley said the players heard the boos. So did the administration.

“Any time you go 1-3 to start a season and there are calls coming from the stands that are less than pleasant, you’re concerned for everyone – the coaches and their families and especially the kids,” said athletic director David Wegrzyn. “They’re an emotional group going through this for the first time in a very public way. We’ll make every effort to let them know we’re behind them.”

MIKE’S STORMY STAY AT ST. JOHN’S

THE UPS ….

March, 1999: In first season, led team to NCAA tournament Elite Eight before losing to Ohio State

Feb. 21, 2000: With a 79-64 Garden win over UConn, wins his 300th game as college coach.

Mar. 11, 2000: Red Storm wins first Big East tourney title since 1986 with 80-70 victory over Huskies.

April 3, 2003: Five weeks after stunning home upset of Duke, win over Georgetown gives program its sixth NIT Championship.

… AND THE DOWNS

March, 2002: Forward Willie Shaw is suspended for the team’s NCAA tournament game with Wisconsin after testing positive for marijuana. Suspension carried to first three games of 2003 season.

Nov. 30, 2002: Queens district attorney confirms arrest of forward Grady Reynolds for alledgedly assaulting a St. John’s female student-athlete.

Feb. 23, 2003: Four days after slamming fist against courtside billboard and spitting on Carrier Dome floor, is ejected in game at Connecticut after profanity-laced tirade during which he grabbed official by arm.

March 5, 2003: After Garden practice, several Red Storm players scream racial slur at arena employee while riding freight elevator. No players were suspended.

November 26, 2003: Shaw arrested for marijuana possession and suspended indefinitely.

JARVIS AT ST. JOHN’S

Year Record Big East tourney NCAA-NIT

1998-99 28-9 2-1 (2nd) 3-1, NCAA Final 8

1999-00 25-8 3-0 (1st) 1-1, NCAA

2000-01 14-15 0-1 DNP

2001-02 20-12 1-1 0-1, NCAA

2002-03 21-13 1-1 5-0, NIT (1st)

2003-04 1-3 – –

Totals 109-60 7-4 4-3, NCAA, 5-0, NIT