New Jersey native Danny Hurley is interested in becoming the next basketball coach at Rutgers but is conflicted because he feels a strong sense of responsibility to Rhode Island, where he just completed his first season, a Post source said.
Hurley, the son of legendary coach Bob Hurley, Sr., has a 44-44 record as a college coach, turning Wagner from a doormat into a winner in two seasons. He went 6-21 in his first season at Rhode Island, but signed two of the most highly touted prospects in Rams’ history.
The source said Hurley, who was an assistant coach at Rutgers from 1997-2001, has a soft spot in his heart for his home state. The same source said Hurley’s name has been discussed with enthusiasm, though not at any official level.
“He’s a Jersey guy, the high school coaches trust him, the AAU coaches know him, he wants to be here,’’ another source said. “Hurley and Rutgers go together like peanut butter and jelly.’’
Another name under consideration is former Rutgers star Eddie Jordan, currently an assistant coach with the Lakers. Jordan has never been a college head coach, but he has been an NBA coach with a 257-343 record. He coached the Kings, Wizards and 76ers.
Pistons coach Lawrence Frank also is interested in the job, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
Because the Rutgers situation is in such a state of crisis, nothing is imminent. Rutgers fired coach Mike Rice on Wednesday after a video was aired showing him physically and verbal abusing players.
Athletic director Tim Pernetti, who was aware of Rice’s behavior, fined him $50,000 and suspended him for three games in the hopes of rehabilitating his first major hire. But there has been great outcry from around the university and the state that Pernetti should have fired Rice immediately and his future also is uncertain.