Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced Friday the arrest of former Seton Hall basketball player Kelly Whitney, 27, of Chicago in connection with the South Orange robbery allegedly involving Robert Mitchell, another former Seton Hall player and current student.

Whitney was arrested at approximately 11 p.m. [Thursday] night at a Newark hotel. He was charged with eight counts of kidnapping, eight counts of aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and weapons charges.

Whitney will be arraigned Monday.

Whitney and Mitchell allegedly entered a residence located on Irvington Avenue in South Orange on March 15, forcing the eight occupants of the home to move from various rooms into a common area where they forced them at gunpoint to turn over their cash and personal items.

Credit cards, cell phones, debit cards, drivers’ licenses, digital cameras and approximately $300 in cash were among the items allegedly taken.

Mitchell was arrested on Tuesday when South Orange officers spotted him in the vicinity of South Orange Avenue and Poe Avenue in Newark.

In addition to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the South Orange Police Department and the United States Marshals Task Force participated in the arrest.

Bail for Whitney was set at $650,000 by the Honorable Amilkar Velez-Lopez, JMC. Both Mitchell and Whitney remain in custody in Essex County.

(Photo courtesy Star-Ledger)

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“We’ve come to the decision that Norm will not be retained as our head coach for next season and we will start immediately with a national search to take over as his successor,” St.  John’s athletic director Chris Monasch said Friday morning in a conference call.

Monasch will run the process himself and will not use a search firm or a committee. Hofstra coach Tom Pecora, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt and former St. John’s standout Mark Jackson are among the possible candidates.

Read the full story at SNY.tv.

**Click the Video Player at right for the video of St. John’s AD Chris Monasch.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Scottie Reynolds

But he sure did finish.

After getting benched to start the game because of what Villanova coach Jay Wright called a “teaching moment,” Reynolds hit a clutch 3-pointer and then two foul shots with 9.1 seconds left in overtime to help No. 2 Villanova escape with a 73-70 victory over No. 15 Robert Morris in a first-round South Regional game at the Dunkin Donuts Center.

Read the full story here.

**Meanwhile, No.  Georgetown was humbled by No. 13 Ohio U. Greg Monroe says he’ll return for his junior year, but head coach John Thompson III says not so fast.

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“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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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- If Mike Rice leads No. 15 Robert Morris to an upset of No. 2 Villanova today in the NCAA tournament, he will treat it like the Final Four.

“My daughter doesn’t even have us winning this game,” Rice cracked Wednesday. “No, you know what? I told somebody…that I’m going to cut down the nets if we win this game and they’d have to delay the game.”

Whether or not Rice wins this one, he is certainly one of the hottest names in the coaching ranks.

A 41-year-old Fordham alum, Rice is expected to meet with the administrators at Fordham at some point in the near future about that situation.

Sources close to Rice said he would also listen if Seton Hall called about the vacancy there created by Wednesday’s sudden firing of Bobby Gonzalez.

Rice has led Robert Morris to back-to-back Northeast Conference tournament titles and NCAA appearances. The Colonials are 73-30 on his watch over the last three seasons

A former Hoop Group camp director and assistant at St. Joe’s and Pitt, Rice has deep recruiting ties in the all-important New York/New Jersey/Philly corridor.

The current Robert Morris roster is littered with guys from that area, including former Paterson (NJ) Eastside star Karon Abraham, the NEC Rookie of the Year. Listed at 5-9, 150, Rice said Abraham is probably closer to 5-6, 135.

“Karon is not afraid,” Rice said. “Karon has no fear…That’s what I love about , whether it’s the New Jersey kids I have or my Philadelphia guys. It’s the same intensity and toughness that you find.”

Added Villanova coach Jay Wright: “I’ll tell you, we really are impressed with their team. They play a lot like we like to play…I’m very impressed with how he’s got Abraham as a freshman to defend so well and [Velton] Jones, the kid out of Northeast Catholic in Philadelphia, [Russell] Johnson out of Chester. They’re both redshirt freshmen. But they play like an experienced player.”

Certainly, Rice’s deep connections in this talent-rich area would help at either Fordham or Seton Hall.

Asked 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.”

One Division 1 head coach said Seton Hall is going to look to do a 180-degree turn from Gonzalez. So even if Rice is a fiery guy, he is stable and should be able to recruit local powerhouses St.  Anthony, St. Benedict’s, St. Patrick and Paterson Catholic.

Rice certainly fits that bill. Just ask Jay Wright.

“I watched his teams from afar kind of as a fan,” Wright said. “I’ll watch any game. But preparing for them, I’m even more impressed with his ability to teach execution. His teams are very disciplined. You can see offensively, they’ve got some great concepts. We’re going to steal some for next year.

“And you can see he’s really, really thought out a philosophy behind how his team plays and its well taught.”

THARPE TO PROVIDENCE
5-11 junior point guard Naadir Tharpe of Brewster Academy verbally committed to Providence.

“Yes, he committed to Providence [Wednesday] night,” Brewster coach Jason Smith said. “He has a very high basketball IQ, elite/level quickness and is an out outstanding passer with vision. He’s a big-time kid. People in their community will fall in love with him. He is outgoing and personable. He has great school spirit.”

Smith said Tharpe was hearing from Boston College, Virginia, UNLV, West Virginia, Indiana and Iowa State.

RECRUITING NOTES

Rivals reports that UConn head coach Jim Calhoun this week will visit 6-8, 210-pound power forward Luke Cothron of Red Springs (N.C,) Flora Macdonald Academy. Cothron just decommitted from N.C. State. An Alabama native, he averaged 31 points and 14 boards.

(Photo courtesy Robert Morris Athletics)

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. —

Enough of his players being arrested.

Enough of his abusive behavior toward administrators, officials, players, opposing coaches and the media.

Enough of the embarrassment and dishonor he brought to the Seton Hall program.

Enough was enough.

Read the full column here.

RELATED CONTENT:

**Hit the Video Player at right for interviews with Seton Hall’s Patrick Hobbs, Joe Quinlan, Jordan Theodore and Jeff Robinson**

**Rutgers sticking with Fred Hill.

**Seton Hall recruits up in the air.

**Stix Mitchell charged with robbery.

**Pat Knight says father could coach again.

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On March 17, 2010 Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino and South Police Chief James Chelel jointly announced the arrest of Robert Mitchell, 23, of Brooklyn, New York, a Seton University student and member of the basketball team.

Mitchell allegedly entered a residence located on Irvington Avenue in South Orange on Monday, March 15, 2010 forcing occupants to move from various rooms into a common area where they forced to turn over their cash and personal items at gunpoint. There were eight occupants in the residences at the time.

Various items including credit cards, cell phones, debit cards, driver’s licenses, digital cameras and approximately $300 in cash were taken.

Mitchell then fled the scene in a vehicle. The vehicle has been recovered.

Mitchell was arrested on Tuesday March 16 at 2010 at approximately 1:23 p.m. when he was spotted by South Orange officers in the vicinity of South Orange Avenue and Poe Avenue in Newark.

He was charged with kidnapping (first degree); robbery (first degree); burglary (third degree) and weapons offenses (second and third degree). A first degree offense carries 10 to 20 years; second degree 5 to 10 years; and third degree carries 3 to 5 years in prison.

Bail was set at $650,000 by the Honorable Amilkar Velez-Lopez, JMC. The arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 18, before the Honorable Velez-Lopez located at Veteran Court House, Newark, NJ, courtroom 502.

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**Hit the Video Player at right for my phone interview with SNY on Gonzalez’s firing***

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – One immediate question facing the Seton Hall basketball program in the wake of Wednesday’s firing of head coach Bobby Gonzalez is, What becomes of the program’s recruits?

The Pirates have three recruits in the Class of 2010, yet only one has signed a National Letter of Intent.

Fuquan Edwin, a 6-foot-5 senior wing from Paterson (N.J.) Catholic who signed with Seton Hall last November, said he is leaning toward staying with the Pirates.

“I’m going to wait and sit down with my family and have a big discussion,” Edwin said Wednesday by phone.

“I’m still thinking about still going there. They need to find a new coach. I just need to build a relationship  with him as soon as possible.”

Edwin said he spoke with Seton Hall players Herb Pope and Jordan Theodore on Wednesday. Theodore, a sophomore point guard, played with Edwin at Paterson Catholic.

Because he signed a Letter of Intent, Edwin would have to be released by the administration after the coaching change should he opt to go in that direction. That has become more common in recent years as athletic departments choose to let players go if they are not comfortable with the new coach.

Edwin, who led PC to a 28-1 record and a Top 3 national ranking at one point, was also recruited by Providence, Temple and La Salle.

Of the coaching change, he said, “It’s real tough.”

Two other players, Jamir Hanner of Newark (N.J.) Nia Prep, and Eugene McCrory of Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers in Washington, D.C., made verbal commitments but have yet to sign.

Asked what his plans were, the 6-8 McCrory wrote in a text, “I don’t know yet…I’m still thinking but I’m still with Seton Hall.”

The 6-8 Hanner also remains committed at this point.

“As of right now I’m still going,” Hanner said by text.

(Photo courtesy MaxPreps.com)

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On the same day that Rutgers AD Tim Pernetti endorsed Fred Hill as the Rutgers basketball coach going forward, Seton Hall fired Bobby Gonzalez.

“Performance and success are not measured solely by wins and losses, but also in the conduct of those associated with the program,” Pat Hobbs, Dean of the Seton Hall Law School, said in a statement.  “We have expectations as to how our coaches and players will conduct themselves, and they are expected to treat everyone they interact with, whether officials, the press or our students, with the utmost respect, maturity and professionalism. Those core expectations must be met.”

University President Monsignor Robert Sheeran added: “It is essential that all University leaders embody the ideals that make us all so proud of Seton Hall.”

Seton Hall is holding a 2 p.m. conference call to announce the decision.

The decision to remove Gonzalez after his fourth season came shortly after the team’s embarrassing loss Tuesday night to Texas Tech in the NIT and was the result of a pattern of off-the-court issues associated with the team.Gonzalez last fall agreed to a three-year contract extension through 2015, but reportedly never signed the paperwork.

The latest incident involved a series of below-the-belt punches by sophomore forward Herb Pope, who was given a flagrant foul and ejected from the Texas Tech game in the first half.

“Man, I never got someone even knee me that hard in a practice by accident. He just took a swing,” said Texas Tech’s Darko Cohadarevic. “I just couldn’t breathe for a second.”

Later in the game, after Gonzalez received his seventh technical foul of the season, chants of “Fire Bob-by” rose from the student section

The Pope incident was the latest, and last, in a bizarre year for Seton Hall. Junior forward Robert “Stix” Mitchell was booted from the team two days before the NIT after he criticized Gonzalez’s substitution patterns in the Bergen Record during last week’s Big East Tournament. Mitchell, a Brooklyn native, has a year of eligibility remaining but Gonzalez ended his career early, saying he didn’t “want any malcontent or cancerous type stuff.”

Lawrence was suspended on Nov. 9 following his involvement in a wrong-way car crash on the Garden State Parkway. Lawrence, 22, was reinstated Dec. 19., and subsequently charged with auto-by-assault and driving with a suspended license.

Despite stating that his goal was to reach the NCAA tournament, Gonzalez’s season ended in an 87-69 loss to Texas Tech in the first round of the NIT.

After the game, Gonzalez was seen walking the hallways of the Prudential Center talking about how his team “beat Rutgers twice and St. John’s once.”

Gonzalez was also the subject of a recent hard-hitting New York Times article that covered many of his past transgressions and painted him in highly unflattering light.

The essence of the story was that Gonzalez had built his current team on high-risk, low-character transfer players, such as Lawrence, Pope and Jeff Robinson.

Asked if he agreed with that assessment, Villanova coach Jay Wright said, “I think [Gonzalez] did what he thought was best for Seton Hall. I really did. I don’t think he purposely went and got risky kids. I think he did what he thought was best for Seton Hall. I really do.”

While Gonzalez is now out of a job, Hill will hold on to his.

“Fred Hill is under contract as our men’s basketball head coach. We had a productive meeting and look forward to working together to build the program,” Pernetti announced in a statement Wednesday.

Hill has compiled a 47-77 record over four years — including a 15-17 mark this season — and has received increased heat from a frustrated fan base.

Yet it would have cost the University about $1.5 million to buy Hill out, and the school opted to let him remain.

According to The Star-Ledger, Hill picks up an additional $300,000 for returning and also gets a $100,000 bonus for remaining at Rutgers after April 5.  His guaranteed outside income also increases to $400,000 from $300,000 for the last two years of the three he has remaining.

Told that Hill would be staying, Wright said, “Oh, great. Oh, good. Good.”