Rice’s Hicks ‘Leaning’ Toward St. John’s; Joe Jones to Boston College

Rice High School coach Maurice “Moe” Hicks is “leaning” toward taking a job on Steve Lavin’s staff at St. John’s, a source close to Hicks said.

The source said it would be “a great opportunity” for Hicks to make the jump to the Big East from high school.

Hicks met with Lavin this past week and hopes to decide by Monday, the source said.

Hicks would ostensibly become the Director of Basketball Operations. Tony Chiles has already been hired as one assistant and Lavin has targeted Mike Dunlap and Rico Hines as the other two assistants.

The news was first reported by the Daily News.

“Moe Hicks would be a great addition to the St. John’s staff,” said New Heights athletic director Kimani Young, who formerly worked on Norm Roberts‘ St. John’s staff. “He’s an accomplished coach with a solid reputation for developing talent. He has relationships that stretch far past New York City. I would be excited and proud to see him join that staff.”

Hicks led Rice to the New York State Federation tournament championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2009 and has churned out a slew of high-major Division 1 players, including Curtis Kelly (Kansas State), Kemba Walker (UConn) and Durand Scott (Miami).

Rice’s current roster includes Kansas State commit Shane Southwell; senior big man Kadeem Jack, who is being courted by Arizona, Arkansas, Miami, UConn; and Jermaine Sanders, who lists Villanova as his favorite and has numerous Big East suitors.

If Hicks does leave Rice, he would become the second high-profile high school coach in the area to make the jump to college this offseason. Former St. Benedict’s Prep coach Dan Hurley is now the head coach at Wagner College.

Also on the St. John’s front, St. Peter’s Prep forward Ronald Roberts has not received a release from his Letter of Intent, sources close to Roberts say.

JONES TO BOSTON COLLEGE

Columbia coach Joe Jones stepped down to be the associate head coach at Boston College under Steve Donahue. For those counting at home, that makes 11 coaching changes in the NY-metro area since the season ended.

“We are extremely grateful for all of Joe’s hard work on behalf of Columbia and our men’s basketball team over the past seven years. His commitment to Columbia, the men’s basketball team and our student-athletes made a tremendous impact. Our men’s basketball program is in much better shape now than when he first arrived, and for that we are very thankful.” said M. Dianne Murphy, the school’s AD.  “Joe is a wonderful teacher, mentor and coach. I have truly enjoyed working with him over the past six years.  We wish him and his family the best as they begin this new chapter in their life.”

Jones went 86-108 overall and a 39-59 record in the Ivy League.

(Photo Courtesy Daily News)

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