Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
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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