PROVIDENCE, R.I –– In the wake of Wednesday’s firing of Bobby Gonzalez, Seton Hall has reached out to Hofstra coach Tom Pecora.
“Seton Hall did contact Tom Pecora,” a source with direct knowledge said. “Tom is going to actively look at that job.”
Pecora turned down the Seton Hall gig four years ago, choosing to remain at Hofstra instead. The Pirates then turned to Gonzalez.
Hofstra went 19-15 this season, falling Wednesday night to IUPUI in the first round of the CBI. In nine seasons at Hofstra, Pecora is 155-126. Twice during his tenure he has been named the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year.
A Queens Village, N.Y. native, Pecora could also be a candidate at St. John’s, should the administration there opt to let go of Norm Roberts. The New York Post reported last week that Roberts would be fired after the season, but the Johnnies lost a dramatic 2-point game Wednesday night at Memphis in the first round of the NIT. No announcement on Roberts is expected until at least Friday, sources said.
“If there was a chance [at St. John’s], he would look at it,” the source said of Pecora. “But Seton Hall is nothing to sneeze at.”
Despite rumors that Seton Hall would announce its new coach within a week, sources said it was more likely to happen sometime around the Final Four.
Pecora has also been considered a strong favorite to land the Fordham job, should the administration opt not to retain interim coach Jared Grasso, who has strong support from the players.
Should Pecora land at Seton Hall or St. John’s, Fordham could opt to go with Grasso or Fordham alum Mike Rice.
Rice led No. 15 Robert Morris to a dramatic 73-70 OT loss to No. 2 Villanova Thursday here in a South Regional game and could be in play at Seton Hall or St. John’s as well.
Speaking generally about Rice in association with the various New York-area openings, Villanova coach Jay Wright said.
“I think Mike Rice would be a good candidate for any job,” said Wright, who was also Pecora’s boss at Hofstra. “He’s got great passion. He’s an excellent leader. He’s a very good recruiter…And I would recommend him for any job.”
(Photo courtesy Hosftra Athletics)
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mdpirate04 / March 18, 2010
why would we want a coach who led his team to the CBI when we had a coach that “led” us to the NIT?? isn’t that kinda backwards?
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casual fan / March 18, 2010
Tom Pecora is everything Gonzalez wasn’t. Personable, Genuine, and a great NYC recruiter. He is easily the most linked in, respected coach in the Metropolitan Area. However, Hofstra will not get Big East recruits. He has had moderate success, but when he does have talent, his teams were always ver, very good. I think he is a no brainer 1st choice for any of the 2 Metro Area Big East openings, as I feel if he were recruiting for a Big East school, alot of great NYC talent will stay home.
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HallBall / March 19, 2010
I think Danny Hurley Is the no brainer even though Mike Rice, Seth Greenberg, Tom Pecora and maybe even Lawrence Frank are potential canidates. Hurley ” IS” the plug In New Jersey recuiting and the fans and students of Seton Hall are just waiting to hear that the school has contacted him. Tom Pecora Is a good coach but as you said I dont think he will be able to attract the Big East talent as did Orr and Gonzo.
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