Rutgers' men's basketball program is in such disarray it has made New Jersey high school coaching legend Bob Hurley Sr. reconsider moving to the college ranks.
Hurley, 65, told The Associated Press last night he would listen and consider taking over the troubled program for a year or two if Rutgers were to call, a stunning change from his previous stance he would never leave Jersey City's St. Anthony High.
Hurley, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, coached two of the Scarlet Knights' current players, Myles Mack and Eli Carter, at St. Anthony, where he has coached for more than four decades.
"Something has to happen right now so they can get back to being student athletes," he told the AP. "This is a mess."
The Hurley news comes on the heels of Rutgers firing coach Mike Rice this month after video showed him verbally and physically abusing players. Hurley's son, Danny, turned down an offer from Rutgers this week, signing a contract extension to remain at Rhode Island through 2019-20. Yesterday a source told The Post the Scarlet Knights have targeted Rutgers alumnus and Lakers assistant coach Eddie Jordan for the opening.
Hurley Sr., a noted disciplinarian and retired probation officer, has never coached in college, but he has led St. Anthony to 27 state titles and recently passed the 1,000-victory plateau.
"I would be looking to help them get back on speed," he said. "But I would be abandoning my seniors and the school where I am now."
The 58-year-old Jordan is reportedly interested in the job, and there are tenative plans for him to meet with university officials today.
Jordan spent five years as a Scarlet Knights assistant coach and has coached the NBA's 76ers, Kings and Wizards. The Washington, D.C., product was a starter on the Rutgers Final Four team in 1975-76 that went 31-2.
Jordan also has grass-roots connections, having coached on the AAU circuit with DC Assault. A source told The Post if Jordan got the job, it is likely he would keep interim head coach David Cox on his staff. Cox has the support of the program's core players, such as Mack, Carter, Kadeem Jack and junior Wally Judge.
Jordan declined comment when approached by reporters in El Segundo, Calif., yesterday morning, but he did tell nj.com on Wednesday: "The only college I would coach would be Rutgers, and I believe it makes complete sense for me to be the next Rutgers coach, or to at least be heavily considered."
Of course, if Hurley's interest has legs, it could change the coaching search in Piscataway.
zbraziller@nypost.com
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