Ben Howland to Rutgers? It Could Happen

Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times

The scandal at Rutgers University has claimed head coach Mike Rice and several others in an enormous swoop. The coaching search is on, and reportedly, there is already someone from the outside looking in.

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish, with sources who have knowledge of the situation, is reporting that the embattled Ben Howland is "intrigued" by the Rutgers coaching job. The source also added, according to CBS Sports, that third-party conversations on both sides of the plate have occurred to gauge interest. 

This would make a lot of sense in my opinion. Howland coached at Pittsburgh in the early part of his career so there is no denying that he could probably swing some recruits his way from the NY area. Rutgers is headed to the Big Ten Conference, a conference loaded with basketball talent and established coaches like Tom Izzo, Thad Matta, John Beilein, Bo Ryan, Tom Crean, and so on. Having Ben Howland at the helm, for a program that needs a huge jolt, would be huge for Rutgers. 

Of course, according to the article, the search will occur after Rutgers finds a new athletic director so there is no telling if this will happen. But if Ben Howland is itching to get back in the mix, and wants the Rutgers job, you would have to imagine that his name will continue to show up as the weeks go by.