Men’s Head Basketball Coach Fred Hill is reportedly being let go by Rutgers University on Thursday, according to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com The incident that is reportedly leading to the firing happened at the conclusion of the Pitt-Rutgers baseball game last Thursday at Bainton Field. Fred Hill’s father, Fred, is the longtime coach of the Rutgers Baseball team. It happened on April Fool’s Day, but this was no joke. Below is a recap of what happened, as told by Jerry Carino of MyCentralJersey.com on his Hoops Haven Blog:
In the bottom of the ninth, with Rutgers trailing 8-7, runners on second and third and two outs, Mike Lang’s grounder to short was fielded cleanly, but the throw to first was off the mark, allowing the tying and winning runs to score. Pitt coach Joe Jordano protested the call at first base, prompting a huddle by the umpires.
During the huddle, Hill (whose father is RU’s longtime baseball coach) was on the diamond in front of the Rutgers dugout and launched into a profanity-laced tirade in the direction of Jordano and the Pittsburgh coaches.”
Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti has previously released a statement stating that “The reports and eyewitness accounts are very concerning.” Apparently Hill had previously been a nuisance at several Rutgers baseball games. According to a source in a story by Tara Sullivan of NorthJersey.com, “Pernetti is doubly annoyed because he told the younger Hill not to return to watch any more games of the series, which Hill ignored and Pernetti witnessed.”
Sullivan’s source also said that “Rutgers’ Athletic Director Tim Pernetti is awaiting word from the University’s lawyers to see if Hill’s recent outburst at a game last Thursday is enough to warrant his firing without Rutgers having to pay him a $1.8 million buyout. Those around the program believe a decision could come within the next two or three days.”
Hill obviously has some serious problems, and they’re only going to get worse now that he’ll be out of a job. Sure, the $1.8 million buyout will be nice, but he’s going to have trouble finding another coaching gig. His Rutgers’ teams went 10-44 in Big East play over his three seasons. Pernetti already looks bad by giving Hill an extension after a 3-15 run in the Big East in his first year on the job, but now the move looks even worse with this incident. Hopefully this doesn’t have long lasting effects on the baseball program who are in contention to make it to the postseason, even though they did drop last night’s contest to Columbia, 12-11.
If you want more on the story, I suggest following Jerry Carino over at his Hoops Haven blog as he is fully documenting potential defections and legal issues surrounding the firing of Hill.
We spoke with Coach Jordano of Pitt before the season which can be read by clicking here.
FYI, there is no video of the incident but we wonder if he tried to kick Jordano like an AT&T sign below.
