Fox Sports Reporting Pecora to Fordham Close to Done Deal

[Vinseiro]

If true, I am not impressed with Pecora's current staff at Hofstra.  They've stayed at Hofstra too long, latched on to Pecora it appears, Travis Lyons-like.  Think Grasso is top choice if that's his competition.

Also haven't had any bigs of note.  That must change in the A10.

Pecora and his staff have been known to be abrasive.  Don't pull that sh*t here.

[An Old Coach]

I don't believe this is far along as is indicated but I do hope it is true.  We need to get someone in here, asap.  With all the jobs out there, it would seem odd to me that pecora is jumping so quickly....

As Rambacker says, "Stay tuned"!

[An Old Coach]

If true, I am not impressed with Pecora's current staff at Hofstra.  They've stayed at Hofstra too long, latched on to Pecora it appears, Travis Lyons-like.  Think Grasso is top choice if that's his competition.

Also haven't had any bigs of note.  That must change in the A10.

Pecora and his staff have been known to be abrasive.  Don't pull that sh*t here.

Pecora has been known to win.  Please pull that here!!

[ace93]

And then there is the question of what about Jared and what do we do with him?    He didnt win but one game, but he worked really hard and recruited like mad for us and tried his best.   We can't "do him" and kick him to the curb and unemployment lines.    Not good.

What do you suggest we do with him?  The new coach has to have authority on who is on his staff with admin approval.  He can't have anyone forced on him.

[John]

Didn't Brenton Butler say he wouldn't return for his 5th year if he had to play for another coach?

We'll have a coach. Then we'll need to see if we have a team. Pecora got a nice verbal to Hofstra from a guard out of Bishop Loughlin. I wonder if that commitment remains firm if Pecora comes here.

Finally, I could understand that Pecora would not want to accept Grasso as a precondition for his hiring. But once Pecora has the job, it would seem that Grasso, being an old chum and former aide, would be a good hire for him. But perhaps he'd want to bring some (or all) of his Hofstra staff.

[B2Bomber]

^^^^^^   I don't think Jared is on these boards at all.   Doesnt mean he doesnt read them as a guest or get updates from his "buddies".   But rambacker=Jared Grasso?   Don't think so.   Right, Ace?

[acrammer]

Unless there is some unknown tension...why would he not want him on the staff.  Grasso has 4 big recruits already signed and is one of the best recruiters in the northeast.  Grasso also worked as a grad assistant under Pecora for a year and they are all part of the Jay Wright crew.  Hopefully, he get bumped up to associate head coach and stays on for a couple years.

[ayteefie]

I have heard that Van Macon will get the Hofstra job but of course, who really knows.

Side note, as to assitants et al.  I have heard that Hofstra runs ( through their assistants) the most profitable sumemr camp in country and generates in excess of $1M in revenue from same. Thats some nice pocket change and a heck of a bennie for your assistants.


Ill have to take down my retro Facebook photos of Martyrs Courty 1982. It might scare the kids staying there! Especially since it is the same furniture.

 

[ram20220]

Jared just tweeted a link to a story on ESPN.


From ESPN

We wrote in early March that it might be a mistake for Fordham not to make interim coach Jared Grasso permanent. For starters, Grasso recruited just about every freshman and sophomore currently on the roster. Secondly, Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog.net reported Alberto Estwick, Chris Gaston and Lance Brown have thrown their support for Grasso to be named permanent head coach at Fordham. Thirdly, the young coach seems to have all the important recruiting ties in NYC and the Tri-State area.

However, Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.net has tweeted that Hofstra coach Tom Pecora -- who is also a hot name for the St. John's and Seton Hall openings -- is close to being Fordham's next coach. This would definitely bode well for the essential recruiting ties to rebuild the Fordham program: Pecora is very well liked by most of the local HS and AAU programs. However, the deal is by no means official yet.

If Pecora is hired, what does that mean for Grasso? Well, there were rumors he was considered by Jay Wright to replace Pat Chambers after he took the Boston University gig. Or perhaps whoever is named coach at Seton Hall or St. John's might be wise enough to ink Grasso as their assistant coach.

[PeterMartin08]

Unless there is some unknown tension...why would he not want him on the staff.  Grasso has 4 big recruits already signed and is one of the best recruiters in the northeast.  Grasso also worked as a grad assistant under Pecora for a year and they are all part of the Jay Wright crew.  Hopefully, he get bumped up to associate head coach and stays on for a couple years.

You have the right idea AC

[Vinseiro]

Pecora has been known to win.  Please pull that here!!

Win what?  No conference titles, no NCAAs.  A little light for a "winning" coach at his age.

[B2Bomber]

The "what do we do with Jared?" question is complex.   We have some solid verbals on board, and unless Pecora would come with a barn full of A10 talent, we want to keep what Jared harvested.    Do I think we tie Pecora's hands and require him to keep Jared?   Does Jared WANT to work for Tom as the Big Assistant with FULL recruiting responsibilities (something he apparently really enjoys doing?)   Does Pecora bring his staff from Hofstra?    I dunno.

We aren't in the room.    But I do know I wouldn't just "do him" and kick him to the curb and notify him after the fact.    Lets be professional here.    

What would I do, if I were in Frank's shoes?    Tell all candidates we have a helluva interim head coach/assistant coach who needs to be stroked, thanked and maybe offered a job..his choice to stay or leave.    And do it up front.    Of course, you cant say much until the contract is inked, because it isnt a done deal until its signed.    

What would I do if I were Pecora?   Talk to Jared and ask him what he wants to do.    What responsibilities he wants.   Make him an offer, but if he turns it down, thank him profusely and offer to assist him with job offers and recommendations.    Take the high road.

[RamFU]

Now that Pecora is Fordham's new head coach, Grasso will no longer be at Fordham.  There's a good chance Gaston will look to move on as well.

[fordhamram]

Unless there is some unknown tension...why would he not want him on the staff.  Grasso has 4 big recruits already signed and is one of the best recruiters in the northeast.  Grasso also worked as a grad assistant under Pecora for a year and they are all part of the Jay Wright crew.  Hopefully, he get bumped up to associate head coach and stays on for a couple years.

This sounds like a good plan to me.


And BTW: I don't see Gaston leaving no matter what the situation is.

[ayteefie]

Win what?  No conference titles, no NCAAs.  A little light for a "winning" coach at his age.

Vinny!   Why do I envision the press conference tomorrow and a faint mcirophone in the back muzzling Frank.........." Jareeeeeeeeed is still in th emmmmmmm iiiii xxxxxx"  

We promise to come and see you guys at Nassau Community. Let me know when they play Herkimer and Cayhuga CC,  always huge games, usually draw about 18 or 19 non-violents from the the prison on Hempstead Turnpike.......

[fordhamram]

Why would Grasso put that on his twitter? How does doing so help him in any way?

[ram20220]

Why would Grasso put that on his twitter? How does doing so help him in any way?

I have no idea.  I thought the exact same thing when I saw it.

[high school hoops]

Why would Grasso put that on his twitter? How does doing so help him in any way?

+1

[RamFU]

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Grasso and Gaston on the bench at either St. John's or Seton Hall next year.

[B2Bomber]

RamFU:  what/who is your source on that?     We dont agree at all.

Hurry Frank, ink the deal so the Ramonline can scoop the Daily News and Post and Newsday and make the "global" announcement of Tom's hiring.

[Vinseiro]

Vinny!   Why do I envision the press conference tomorrow and a faint mcirophone in the back muzzling Frank.........." Jareeeeeeeeed is still in th emmmmmmm iiiii xxxxxx"  

We promise to come and see you guys at Nassau Community. Let me know when they play Herkimer and Cayhuga CC,  always huge games, usually draw about 18 or 19 non-violents from the the prison on Hempstead Turnpike.......

that's almost as many as Pecora drew for his last game at Hofstra, a shellacking by IUABCD.

Will he be bring his championship and NCAA banners with him or does Hofstra not want to part with them?

[PeterMartin08]

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Grasso and Gaston on the bench at either St. John's or Seton Hall next year.

Two things...

1) There exists a misplaced perception of assuming Gaston's return. Nothing is certain.

2) The Grasso/Gaston relationship was/is extremely significant.

There is a lot still to play out.

[CT Ram 06]

Why would Grasso put that on his twitter? How does doing so help him in any way?

I'm on his Twitter page right now and don't see this posted at all...

[B2Bomber]

Vinny, give it a rest.  We know your views.   We know you support Jared.   Its over.  

Do what is right by Fordham and be a bigger man and welcome our new coach when he is announced.    

Did you think we could bring in some big name dude here with NCAA championship banners?    

Given the openings at the Hall, Saint Johns, maybe Rutgers and Cornell and Siena soon.....its better we get our man before someone else snaps him up.

Don't throw eggs at him yet.   (cf. if Frank hires Butch Beard that would be different.)

[joeb]

its really simple adios muchacho

[B2Bomber]

I have no idea.  I thought the exact same thing when I saw it.

Yeah..that is weird.     And we better be monitoring the recruiting front and see if he has been communicating with his Fordham recruits and having some back room plan B.     I sure hope not.

[RamFU]

I have multiple sources that say:

a. Pecora is Fordham's new head coach.

b. Grasso won't be back but will be up for a multitude of high-end assistant positions.

c. Gaston is not happy about Grasso's firing or the prospect coming back to a 2-26 team that did not retain the coach that brought him there.

[fordhamram]

I'm on his Twitter page right now and don't see this posted at all...

Which tells me he probably realized how stupid it was. Or reads this board. Probably both.

[Stick]

Pecora has been fairly successful at Hofstra.  Nothing off the charts, but they seem to be about 20 wins each year and above .500 in conference most of the time, which is good and I'll take it long term.  Who knows if we'll lose players or recruits in the short term, but if we do I hope not many.  I'm tired of losing and can't take more more of it.

[An Old Coach]

The "what do we do with Jared?" question is complex.  

Sorry.  It is the simplist question posted on this board in weeks.  If Pecora likes him, he offers him a spot.  If he doesn't, he moves on to greener pastures.   He isn't a phys ed teacher at a high school with union protection.  He's a big boy and knows how the game is played.