In perhaps the least surprising sports news of the week, Rutgers fired men’s basketball head coach Eddie Jordan on Thursday. The school certainly wasted no time in making the move, dismissing Jordan one day after the Scarlet Knights lost their Big Ten tournament opener, 89-73, to Nebraska.
With that season-ending loss, Rutgers’ final record for the 2015-16 season finishes with a dismal 7-25 mark. Joining the Big Ten hasn’t worked out very well for Rutgers — or for the conference — as the school has compiled a 3-35 record in conference play since migrating from the Big East. We’ll save you from picking up your calculator by mentioning that makes for an eight percent winning percentage.
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Jordan had two years remaining on his contract, which results in a $2 million payout from the school. But Rutgers athletic director Patrick Hobbs saves nearly $1 million by firing Jordan now, instead of after April 23, when that payout would have increased.
Regardless of contract terms, Hobbs had to make this move. How could Jordan possibly be retained after such a disastrous season, and a truly subpar job overall. Rutgers is arguably the worst men’s basketball program in the nation — and historically so. There was no coming back from that for Jordan and it would have been an insurmountable obstacle in recruiting.
Hobbs already has experience in finding a new coach, having dismissed head football coach Kyle Flood during his first week as athletic director. He tabbed Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash as a replacement, which appeared to be a relatively impressive hire. Rutgers and Big Ten fans are certainly hoping Hobbs can find a new man with a similar pedigree to lead the men’s basketball program.
SNY’s Adam Zagoria reports that Rhode Island coach (and New Jersey native) Dan Hurley is Hobbs’ top choice. Manhattan’s Steve Masiello is also under consideration.
[NJ.com]
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