I know the obvious reaction would be if he wasn't viable for administration as an assistant how could he be a real candidate for HC.
Even if that's true - and reports appear to be conflicting about whether Mullin formally proposed him as an assistant and was denied - that was when Mike Rice needed SJU more than SJU needed him. After this utter mess, I'm not sure that's the case anymore.
Based purely on the merits he probably has more upside than most/all of the candidates currently being discussed. He crushed at Robert Morris and couldn't get there in the old Big East, which probably makes the current Big East a pretty good level for him.
At this point this is clearly a complete and total rebuild, not just of the team, but the entire program. Rice's career as a college coach is basically in the same place. So rebuild both together.
Any initial negative media reaction couldn't be much worse than what's going on now, and frankly would probably be offset to a certain degree by positive stories around second chances. And who really cares about the initial media reaction at this point anyway.
Recruiting would be immediate. The coaching ability isn't really a question. I think he can impact the rebuild faster than many of the coaches currently known to be in the mix. Would at least give him an interview with Cragg and let Cragg evaluate. At this point not sure what the downside to that would be.
Even if that's true - and reports appear to be conflicting about whether Mullin formally proposed him as an assistant and was denied - that was when Mike Rice needed SJU more than SJU needed him. After this utter mess, I'm not sure that's the case anymore.
Based purely on the merits he probably has more upside than most/all of the candidates currently being discussed. He crushed at Robert Morris and couldn't get there in the old Big East, which probably makes the current Big East a pretty good level for him.
At this point this is clearly a complete and total rebuild, not just of the team, but the entire program. Rice's career as a college coach is basically in the same place. So rebuild both together.
Any initial negative media reaction couldn't be much worse than what's going on now, and frankly would probably be offset to a certain degree by positive stories around second chances. And who really cares about the initial media reaction at this point anyway.
Recruiting would be immediate. The coaching ability isn't really a question. I think he can impact the rebuild faster than many of the coaches currently known to be in the mix. Would at least give him an interview with Cragg and let Cragg evaluate. At this point not sure what the downside to that would be.