Fairleigh Dickinson fired head coach Tom Green last week.
The story was first reported by the New York Post.
“For 26 years I was the coach of this team and an ambassador for this university,” Green told the newspaper. “I called this place home. For them to treat me this way shows a complete lack of respect for me as a person, as a coach and as a loyal employee.”
He also told The Bergen Record: “This decision kills my career. To get fired in June of year 26 kills a career. I’d hoped to coach another five or six years before I even thought about retiring,” Green said. “It not only affects me, but I’ve got three assistant coaches and two of them have families. There are no Division I college basketball head coaching jobs available in June.”
Green posted a career mark of 407-351, including four NCAA and two NIT appearances. The Knights finished 7-23 last season and were 6-12 in the NEC conference.
“Coach Green is no longer our coach and I can’t say anything else beyond that,” FDU athletic director David Langford told The Record. “Coach Green has worked for FDU for 26 years and done a lot of good things, and helped the university with its visibility and we’re very thankful to him for that.”
One name for FDU officials to consider is Seton Hall assistant Dermon Player, a top-notch recruiter in the New York area. Another excellent choice would be St. Patrick of Elizabeth coach Kevin Boyle, who has won five Tournament of Champions, perenially has a top-ranked national team and is one of the best high school coaches in the country.
Speaking of Seton Hall, 6-9 sophomore forward Brandon Walters is transferring.
“He’s going to transfer,” said Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Walters’ coach at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. “He talked to the coaching staff and everything went smoothly.”
Walters is due to visit Siena on Friday and Morton said he had also heard from Manhattan and Hofstra. He will have two years of eligibility left after he sits out a year.
Walters follows fellow big man Mike Davis out the door this offseason. Both saw the writing on the wall with the arrival this season of big men Herb Pope, Melvyn Oliver and Ferrakohn Hall.
“We wish Brandon the best of luck in his future endeavors,” Pirates coach Bobby Gonzalez said. “He worked hard for us in his two years at Seton Hall. By transferring he’ll have a greater opportunity to see an increase in playing time.”
***Thomas Jefferson sophomore point guard Davontay Grace will visit Marquette this weekend for its Elite Camp.
“Next week he’ll be going to the Nike Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis, Mo.,” said Hassani Stewart, Grace’s AAU Coach. “Missouri’s been trying to get ahold of his high school coaches to see if he can visit there.”
The 6-2 Grace has also visited St. John’s unofficially.
(Photos courtesy FDU and SHU)
