King Rice, the Vanderbilt assistant and former North Carolina point guard, appears to be the leader at Monmouth and could be introduced as the next coach this week.
“I’ve been on campus but I have not been on campus today [Monday],” Rice told Tony Graham of The Hawks Nest by phone. “I’m trying hard to get the [Monmouth] job, that’s the information I’ve got. I have to run, I have to get to a meeting. Hopefully, I’ll get to talk to you soon.”
A former assistant at Oregon, Illinois State and Providence, Rice was a finalist for the Wagner job last year, along with Texas A&M associate head coach Scott Spinelli and Dan Hurley, who ultimately got the job and led a dramatic turnaround.
Monmouth athletic director Marilyn McNeil, head of the 2011 NCAA Division I Women’s Tournament Selection Committee, is currently in Spokane, Wash., for Monday’s Regional final between Stanford and Gonzaga.
Graham reported that McNeil and Monmouth president Paul Gaffney are expected to meet with Rice upon her return.
One source said a press conference had already been set for Wednesday.
PAINTER TO MEET WITH MIZZOUDespite a report that Purdue coach Matt Painter has agreed to a seven-year, $14 million deal with Missouri, a source with knowledge said no offer has been made to Painter and no meeting has yet taken place. Painter is due to meet with Missouri officials Tuesday, the source said. Mike Anderson left Missouri for the Arkansas job.
