On the Banks: All Posts by Dave White

Eddie, Julie, and the RAC

2013-05-21T00:47:58Z

In a conversation with Jerry Carino, Eddie Jordan--the new coach of Rutgers basketball--said he told Julie Hermann--the new AD at Rutgers--he didn't want anything other than to win.

That's all he wanted.

He didn't want major upgrades to the RAC, he didn't want a brand-spankin' new practice facility. All he wanted was to win.

But, as noble a gesture as that is to your new boss, it's probably not enough. Because basketball--just like football--is an arms race when it comes to recruiting. Kids want the newest, the nicest, the best. And right now Rutgers doesn't have that. Granted, the new scoreboard is supposed to be added in this summer, but beyond that--what's left? The donors have pulled their donations, angry about the Tim Pernetti situation. The team hasn't won in forever.

And, besides some fits and starts, the program has never recruited at a high level. And when they do, the recruits ultimately transfer out.

Julie Hermann has to realize this. She has to do what she can to cajole some of the biggest supporters into doing what they're supposed to do. Support. She has to convince them Rutgers is not just Tim Pernetti, but an institution. One that has a bright future ahead of it in the B1G, if handled correctly.

And in order to handle it correctly, she must realize that football is not the end all be all. It may be the number 1 program in most--if not all--athletic departments, but men's basketball is a close second. And when the number 2 program is a sinkhole, someone has to try and dig it out.

Eddie's going to do his job. Next year, he needs to be competitive in a weakened division. If he can finish over .500, recruiting becomes easier.

If, this summer, Jordan can bring in some respectable re-inforcements from the 2014 class, convincing some DC kids that *this time* it'll be different, he might even be able to make a dent in his first Big Ten year.

But, beyond that?

He needs the RAC. Because recruits want to see results fast. And if Jordan can't get to the NCAAs in 2 years (which is unlikely), AAU coaches, HS coaches, high school players, and those weird handler guys are going to give up. And if you're not winning that quickly, what else do you have to sell?

So, Eddie and Julie have to get this RAC renovation off the ground. They are behind in the basketball arms race. She has to tap some of her Yum! Center contacts (because, let's face it, even if she didn't work on football and hoops in Lousiville, she knows some people) and get them to come in and find a way to get this RAC stuff done.

As for Rutgers fans? It's time to support the program. If the teams are winning, no one will care who the AD is. But college sports--way more than pro-sports--need their fans. They need their fans to give.

They need to flock back.

They need to believe.

Start preaching, Eddie. Start evangelizing, Julie.

Kerwin Okoro to Transfer to RU

2013-05-14T01:27:37Z

Kerwin Okoro to Transfer to RU

A former NYC guard will transfer to the Scarlet Knights after a year at Iowa State. Okoro's story is a tragic one after losing both his brother and his father last year. Okoro's story is the classic case of what the hardship waiver is for.

Currently, if all goes to plan, Rutgers has 9 players on scholarship for next season.

The Latest Kerfluffle

2013-05-11T13:16:59Z

If you weren't on Twitter yesterday, you missed the panic.

You see, it turns out Eddie Jordan didn't graduate from Rutgers, despite his official biography on the school's website saying he did. Deadspin was all over it, and then the rest of the world got involved.

At first, this seemed like a minor annoyance. Rutgers record keeping is spotty at best, and the bureaucratic nonsense that graduates go through has even been given a nickname: the RU Screw. Everyone who passed through campus has faced the screw at some point. This time however, it just seemed like it was happening to Eddie Jordan on a national scale.

Then, Adam Zagoria tweeted the NCAA requires all coaches to have a college degree.

Rutgers wasn't answering phone calls. No one could get information. Deadspin said Eddie only had 103 credits, however anyone with a calculator said Jordan had 211 (EDIT: though Deadspin contends there's a difference between credits and credit hours). Was Jordan supposed to get his degree and made a mistake? Was he going to lose his job over this, mere weeks after taking it?

Only at Rutgers.

But, you see, it turns out Zagoria was wrong. The NCAA issued a quick statement saying it does not require coaches to have a degree, it comes down to what the school requires. And, about 18 seconds after that, Rutgers issued a statement saying Jordan didn't need his degree and he'd be keeping his job.

So, Jordan stays for now. By most accounts from the local press, Jordan did not deceive Rutgers, it was a University error. Jordan should have finished his degree in 1985, but he wasn't registered correctly, Jordan told Andy Katz.

Story over, right?

Hopefully, though it seems likely the press will keep digging. They smell something, which is their right. With some luck, nothing will be found and Jordan will get back to turning this thing around.

The Final 3 AD Names

2013-05-04T00:50:17Z

The Final 3 AD Names

Sean Frazier of Wisconsin.

Julie Hermann of Louisville.

And.

Thomas Boeh of Fresno State.

Frazier should be the overall favorite, right?

Click the link for more.

Junior Etou Commits

2013-05-02T01:23:54Z

Junior Etou Commits

One of the top remaining uncommitted players, a power forward out of the DC area, committed to Eddie Jordan and Rutgers. At this late stage, this is a huge pick-up for the Scarlet Knights, who are trying to rebuild their roster after several transfers (including Jerome Seagears who announced he'd be going to Auburn). Etou has plenty of potential. The only setback are rumors he may have some trouble qualifying. Things continue to look up for the Scarlet Knights under Eddie Jordan.

Eddie Gets One

2013-05-01T02:09:24Z

Eddie Jordan got off the schneid.

Even though Eli Carter is transferring to Florida, Eddie Jordan was able to fill 2 holes.

Last week, wing Craig Brown signed his LOI. The JUCO--who by all reports can shoot--was recruited by Mike Rice, but decided to honor his commitment under Jordan.

Then, earlier today, JUCO Point Guard D'Von Campbell committed to Rutgers. Campbell begins the stop the bleeding of Jerome Seagears and Carter's loss. Rutgers only had Myles Mack in the backcourt. Campbell was a Top 150 recruit after high school who transferred from UTEP to JUCO power Hutchinson. Expect him to contribute right away. If he can penetrate, he will take some pressure off a Mack.

Rutgers is still thin from deflections. Malick Kone has been rumored to stick around, but that's not official yet. The defections of Carter, Seagears, Mike Poole and Vince Garrett really put a dent in Rutgers' depth and talent.

But Eddie's not done yet. He's still out recruiting, and rumors persist that there's still talent out there to be had. Eddie is pounding pavement and still wants to have a solid year next year.

Myles Mack, Another Loyal Son

2013-04-24T01:12:52Z

Whatever I start, I always finish. I started here so I’m going to finish here. I would love for (others) to stay but if they see a career for themselves somewhere else that’s better than here, that’s for them to say.

Myles Mack talked to Jerry Carino today.

Welcome back, Loyal Son

2013-04-24T00:44:40Z

Eddie Jordan stood at the podium and answered questions with a smile. He constantly talked about winning with "harmony and effort." He talked about the NBA. He talked about the assistants who have already contacted him to join him on the banks.

He said David Cox and Van Macon would remain on staff "for the time being."

He talked about the new scoreboard--one that would be in place by August.

He convinced Myles Mack, Kadeem Jack, and Wally Judge to stick around. Malick Kone, one of the rumored transfers, was at the press conference too.

And then, on Mike Francesa, he dropped what felt like a bombshell. On a day when Mike Poole committed to Iona as a transfer, Jordan suggested he wasn't finished recruiting the old team back. He said he felt that he could have one of the best backcourts in the country if Myles got some help coming back. And he said he thought two of the possible transfers were close to changing their mind and staying with the Scarlet Knights.

And, he wasn't done yet. Tonight, Eddie was going to visit Jon Severe, one of the top remaining guards in the area. Severe was a top target of Van Macon and Mike Rice. Macon and Jordan obviously feel similar.

Earlier there was a report by Zach Braziller of the NY Post. For a while reports said it was going to come down to Rutgers and Fordham. That has since been recanted... but it's still possible.

But the dark days of Rutgers basketball appear to be over. Fast Eddie has hit the ground running. He knows he needs to bring in talent.

He also knows he can overachieve next year if he does so.

Don't count out the Scarlet Knights.

Not with Eddie Jordan on the sidelines.

At least, at the very least, that's how it feels today.

Welcome back, Loyal Son.