Robert Morris coach Mike Rice will meet Wednesday with Seton Hall officials.
The news was first reported by Jeff Goodman on Twitter and I confirmed it with a source with direct knowledge.
Rice, 41, led Robert Morris to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season, nearly toppling No. 2 Villanova before falling 73-70 in OT last Thursday in Providence.
Rice declined comment when reached.
“I think Mike Rice would be a good candidate for any job,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said. “He’s got great passion. He’s an excellent leader. He’s a very good recruiter. And I would recommend him for any job.”
Rice also seemed to have the blessing of legendary St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley, who is advising Seton Hall officials on the hire.
“Mike Rice, very simply, is on the way up. He’s a very intense guy,” Hurley told me Saturday.
Rice, who previously was an assistant at Pitt and St. Joe’s, has proven he can recruit in the New York/New Jersey/Philly corridor. He landed freshman guard Karon Abraham out of the mighty Playaz Basketball Club and has several other New Jersey and Philly guards on his roster.
Asked last week if that made him a more attractive candidate, Rice said: “I would think so. North Jersey, Philly and New York City is a hot bed of recruiting. It was when I was hired away from St. Joe’s to Pitt. They wanted somebody that did North Jersey to Philadelphia. Besides my experience at the Hoop Group, I had my St. Joe’s ties and Philly ties.”
It has also been rumored that Richmond coach Chris Mooney and Siena coach Fran McCaffery are coming in for interviews, but I haven’t confirmed that.
A Richmond spokesman declined to comment on whether Seton Hall had officially requested permission to speak with Mooney.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday on its Website that Seton Hall “has interest” in Mooney, who led the Spiders to a 26-9 record and an at-large bid to the Big Dance.
Mooney, a Philadelphia native, later told the Times-Dispatch he would not discuss “any other coaching positions except Richmond,” and added that he is “anxious to get to work on sustaining our success.”
Kansas assistant Joe Dooley has not been contacted by Seton Hall, a source close to the situation said.
***Kadeem Jack, a 6-9 senior forward from Manhattan Rice, met with Miami coach Frank Haith and assistant Jorge Fernandez and Arizona coaches Sean Miller and Book Richardson last week at his school. He plans to take his second official to Miami “around April 9.”
Jack previously visited Arizona.
(PHoto courtesy Robert Morris Athletics)
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piratesfan / March 22, 2010
Zag, don’t leave us hanging. What happened with Hurley?
Did SHU try to woo him? He seemed wooable.
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UofA BJ / March 23, 2010
He’s a little to old to start a college coaching career dont you think pirates fan?
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piratesfan / March 23, 2010
That only thing that’s old is that kind of thinking.
Seriously, it depends on the 62-year-old. You know the experssion: 60 is the new 50… 50 is the new 40, etc.
Two years ago 65-year-old Andy Summers, the guitar player for the Police, reunited with the band for a 150-show tour. He blew young whipper snappers out of sold out stadiums with his riffs and energy.
Age discrimination has to stop. Modern medicine and healthy lifestyles has created a population that can be highly productive well into their 70’s. Experience, savvy and determination can often trump age.
Besides, he won’t be working alone. I’m sure he will assemble a great staff. Hurley’s X’s & Os alone is worth the price.
Many great coaches let their assistants do the bulk of the recruiting tavel while they stay in contact with recruits via phone and text. Then they step in to seal the deal. Is this correct?
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saltydog / March 23, 2010
Hurley pointed to Robert Morris coach Mike Rice as someone on the rise. Rice nearly led the No. 15 Colonials to an upset of No. 2 Villanova on Thursday but lost 73-70 in OT. Rice, 41, is a fiery personality and became apoplectic on national TV after several questionable calls were made down the stretch.
“Mike Rice, very simply, is on the way up. He’s a very intense guy,” Hurley said.
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UofA BJ / March 23, 2010
sorry pirates fan I thought hurley was older than 62, although that still is pretty old to start a college coaching career non the less. It wouldnt be a good move for the future of the program, since he would only be around a few years.
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