Hurley. Pitt officials hold talks
Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley spoke with Pitt officials Monday about its headcoaching vacancy, according to multiple reports.
Hurley, according to multiple sources close to the situation, has been one of the top coaching candidates for Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke since she fired Kevin Stallings March 8.
Hurley, 45, just completed his sixth season at Rhode Island, where he has amassed a record of 113-82. That record underscores what has been an impressive rebuilding effort.
The Rams have finished with at least 23 wins in three of the past four seasons, something the program had done only three times in the preceding 26 seasons. In each of the past two seasons, they won an NCAA tournament game. Their 26-8 season ended Saturday with an 87-62 loss against Duke in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Rhode Island’s two tournament games took place in Pittsburgh.
Last May, Hurley signed an extension with Rhode Island through the 2023-24 season. His annual compensation near the end of the deal will be nearly $1.1 million. If he were to leave after this season, the school would be owed a maximum of $1.5 million.
Before his stint at Rhode Island, Hurley coached for two seasons at Wagner. There, the New Jersey native and Seton Hall graduate led the Seahawks to a 25-6 record in his second season, only two years after they won five games.
There were also reports that Hurley talked Monday to officials from Connecticut.
Memphis
Former Memphis AllAmerican Penny Hardaway is heading back to his alma mater — as its men’s basketball coach. Memphis will announce Hardaway as its next coach Tuesday, said a person familiar with the situation. Hardaway, 46, will replace Tubby Smith, who was fired after going 40-26 in two seasons with Memphis.
IUP
Carolyn Appleby scored 23 points and Megan Smith 22 as the Crimson Hawks fended off a second-half rally by Stonehill for a 75-71 win and a berth in women’s Division II semifinals against top-seeded Ashland.
Charlotte
The 49ers hired Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez as their new coach. He will be introduced next week.
Purdue
Boilermakers center Isaac Haas appears to be done for the season even if Purdue’s medical team or its crack engineering department can create an elbow brace that allows him to play in the NCAA tournament.