Good,then we could go after Rick PatinoIf this occurred last year or 2 years ago, the board would be going psycho petrified that Nova would snag Pikiell.
Good,then we could go after Rick PatinoIf this occurred last year or 2 years ago, the board would be going psycho petrified that Nova would snag Pikiell.
That may be or have been the case, but I am pretty sure they had a kid from St. Rose in Belmar (Matt Hodge) who was sitting out this past year for academic related reasons.A respected prof once told me no basketball player ever gets thrown out of Villanova for academic reasons. And that was way before NIL. Also if the basketball only schools get an advantage over the power leagues that play football, look out--here comes a power 5 exclusive tournament. Football rules.
Don't know the current situation but did they change spots? Sometimes they sit out for other than grades and not as one assumes. I'll tell you a story that's completely true when supposedly squeaky clean Jay Wright was Rollie's assistant at Unlv he helped accommodate the writing of papers for players. The story in the papers was his wife did the writing . Funny story ,CHris Mullins at St John's had a designated person he cheated off of in classes. She became the wife of a friend and the funniest part she was the daughter of the chief of NYC detectives.That may be or have been the case, but I am pretty sure they had a kid from St. Rose in Belmar (Matt Hodge) who was sitting out this past year for academic related reasons.
Jay Wright saw the inevitable decline coming and that is the B1G, SEC and Big 12 take over. No one thinks about Villanova or any Big East team beyond the month of March. Revenue sharing is just delaying the inevitable for the Big East....the minute UConn gets an invite out of that league, they're going to leave.
In terms of Villanova, why would a major recruit or player go there at this time?? It's at best the 5th best conference and you have no chance to get any coach from any of the major 2 or 3 conferences. Imagine hiring Richard Pitino who was doing a good job at Minnesota and got fired there and suddenly, he's the best hire they can find??
The market started to shift back when I told some fans it did, around 2018-19, when the RU rebuild started and suddenly the SEC, started to take basketball seriously and gobbled up all the best coaches.
Pitino was coaching at Minnesota in the 2020-21 season.....and Jay Wright was at the top of the coaching food chain.....then UConn got back into the Big East with Danny Hurley....and in less than 4 years time, Nova is considering hiring Pitino Jr....if that's not a fall from grace, not sure what else people are looking at. Nova and a lot of that conference just aren't on the radar, this coaching search should signal that.
You don’t think Jay is the one that will make the hire? Too important to screw it up twice. He was over ruled last time. Won’t be this time. If you don’t then you don’t know nova and how it works. Rollie made the hires prior to Jay.Jay?
Yep. Won’t happen again.Baker was Jay's first choice. He was overruled.
Interesting. They just hired an AD but you’re right in that I don’t know how much pull Jay still has there.You don’t think Jay is the one that will make the hire? Too important to screw it up twice. He was over ruled last time. Won’t be this time. If you don’t then you don’t know nova and how it works. Rollie made the hires prior to Jay.
Pete Thamel just mentioned Little Ricky and Kevin Willard as possible candidates for Nova job !
I haven't heard anything. What were the reasons? Came cheap?He was hired for the wrong reasons.
True story and his brother, Jayden, is number two in NJ for 2026. Let's get them both.That may be or have been the case, but I am pretty sure they had a kid from St. Rose in Belmar (Matt Hodge) who was sitting out this past year for academic related reasons.
I don’t think Willard would have left Maryland / BIG10 for Villlanova…but this pretty much solidifies he won’t be going anywhere.
Jay is Nova.Interesting. They just hired an AD but you’re right in that I don’t know how much pull Jay still has there.
But Hawk just told us to would be crazy for a BIG coach to go to the Big East!Pete Thamel just mentioned Little Ricky and Kevin Willard as possible candidates for Nova job !
He might be right.But Hawk just told us to would be crazy for a BIG coach to go to the Big East!
He’s not on Villanova’s list.Pike is a candidate per coaching changes.
It seems that Coach Willard is suddenly getting a deal enhancement at Maryland. A few fans are mildly annoyed at the timing. He is popular in the fanbase, but he hasn't achieved Driesell/Williams status yet by any means...there is no reason for Willard to go to Nova...Maryland in a better conference and he has ample money to spend on NIL...he would have ample money there as well at Nova....in a lesser conference
Puts things into perspective doesn't it? This is the mentality RU is competing with.So Villanova fires its coach after going 19-14 and 11-9 in conference. Meanwhile here…
I don’t think Willard would have left Maryland / BIG10 for Villlanova…but this pretty much solidifies he won’t be going anywhere.
14 minutes ago
“I’ll say this: Damon and I talked on Sunday night right before Selection Sunday. He gave me a term sheet right before Selection Sunday. I really wasn’t focused on it. Been focused on this team and this. Damon’s talked to my agent. I talked to Damon this morning at length about where we are. ”
“Obviously it’s difficult right now because I think we know his situation,” he said of Evans. “He’s probably going to SMU, so it’s kind of tough to negotiate with somebody that’s maybe not here. But I need to make fundamental changes to the program. That’s what I’m focused on right now. That’s why probably a deal hasn’t got done because I want to see -- I need to see fundamental changes done. I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country, I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change.”
14 minutes ago
“I’ll say this: Damon and I talked on Sunday night right before Selection Sunday. He gave me a term sheet right before Selection Sunday. I really wasn’t focused on it. Been focused on this team and this. Damon’s talked to my agent. I talked to Damon this morning at length about where we are. ”
“Obviously it’s difficult right now because I think we know his situation,” he said of Evans. “He’s probably going to SMU, so it’s kind of tough to negotiate with somebody that’s maybe not here. But I need to make fundamental changes to the program. That’s what I’m focused on right now. That’s why probably a deal hasn’t got done because I want to see -- I need to see fundamental changes done. I want this program to be great. I want it to be the best in the country, I want to win a national championship, but there’s things that need to change.”
What are they saying on the Maryland boardsMy gut feeling is that he's going to Villanova...
That's the consensus from what I've seen, although, ha ha, I spend a lot more time here than there. A lot of the "upset" is that he might take Gillespie and Rice with him...What are they saying on the Maryland boards
You've obviously got way more insight into Maryland than I do, but I would be absolutely floored if he left Maryland for Villanova (as excellent a job as it is).My gut feeling is that he's going to Villanova...
Yeah, good point.Its all about the $$$
Those guys are going to be tough to keep no matter what if SEC and Kansas come calling
I think he's really concerned over NIL promise and not having an AD hurtsYou've obviously got way more insight into Maryland than I do, but I would be absolutely floored if he left Maryland for Villanova (as excellent a job as it is).
I think he would be happy at Villanova where he wouldn't be competing with football for resources. The mediocrity of Maryland football despite the money it sucks up probably makes him feel even worse about it...I think he's really concerned over NIL promise and not having an AD hurts
Nova will have at minimum what Maryland will spend
Then again this is a great time to renegotiate when his stock is very high
Honest question. If you had an opening would you find Willard acceptable?Could be interesting if Willard leaves Maryland in fame fashion he left seton hall, when he was gushing how nothing would make him happier than Holloway getting the seton hall job after his team got steamrolled in the first round game.
Eventually Willard will try to make a March run with the team that pays his salary
Yes .Honest question. If you had an opening would you find Willard acceptable?
I agree on Willard. We can say whatever we want about him but 3 years at Maryland, 2 NCAA appearances, and this year second in the league. He’s also shown that he can take a bunch of portal guys and win. I don’t love his personality but he wins games.Yes .
And I wouldn’t like it if he decided to leave, while mailing in an ncaa tournament game and telling me that nothing would make him happier than Holloway taking his job .
You’ve come around on Willard . Not long ago I think you and many us thought Pike was a better game coachI would take Willard in a heartbeat
Alas that ship has sailed
Many of us did as well!You’ve come around on Willard . Not long ago I think you and many us thought Pike was a better game coach
The Knight Report Football
College Football 27 Sim - Rutgers Football versus USC Trojans
The Knight Report
Join The Knight Report TODAY for $1 and get 50% off!
The Knight Report Football
Rutgers ranks 14th in Big Ten in estimated roster spending, 46th nationally
The Knight Report
The Knight Report - Ask The Experts Chat: September 16th Edition
The Knight Report Football
ESPN FPI projects Rutgers Football's 2026 schedule - Week Two