Congrats to King Rice!

[DaSheed]

Coach Smith would be so proud!

King Rice, the head coach of the Monmouth basketball team, earned his first national honor by being named the John McLendon National Coach of the Year. The John McLendon award is presented annually to the top collegiate head coach, encompassing Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and JUCO.

Rice, the MAAC, ECAC and NABC District I Coach of the Year, led MU to a program record 28 wins and an outright regular season title in 2015-16.

Rice earns the honor after leading Monmouth to a program-record 28 victories this season. He has already notched three Coach of the Year accolades after earning MAAC, NABC District I and ECAC Coach of the Year. Rice posted 17 league victories, including an 11-2 mark at home and a nation-leading 13 road tallies. He secured Monmouth's first regular season title in 11 years and the top seed in the conference tournament while knocking off five high-major programs in the non-conference.

There's currently an opening at Vanderbilt. Rice was an assistant coach under Stallings at Vanderbilt from 2006 to 2011, and was on Stallings’ staff at Illinois State from 1993 to 1998. You'd have to think he's a top candidate for this job.

*****Weird side note: King's son, Alexander is a great basketball player and is a Freshman at St. Anthony's in Jersey City. Anybody who knows the history between King Rice and Bobby Hurley have to love the irony here.

 

[Heelicious]

So cool. I wish Monmouth would've made the big dance. They deserved it. I hope he gets a bigger, higher profile job. Vandy would be a pretty good job, and easier to recruit into, I think.

It was very cool to see King in the large crowd of Heels former players at the championship game. He always seems so cool, well dressed, classy.

 

[Prof C]

Kudos to King Rice!

Right now somewhere Bobby Hurley is probably crapping in his pants.

 

[DaSheed]

Kudos to King Rice!

Right now somewhere Bobby Hurley is probably crapping in his pants.

That's the irony. Apparently, King and Bobby are friends now. King's son, Alexander will more than likely be playing basketball at St. Anthony's and for Bobby Senior. Boggles the mind knowing the history of these 2

Monmouth needs to schedule a game with Arizona State.

 

[Heelicious]

Where do you think Alexander rice will play? Is he a target for UNC? Or will he play wherever King is coaching?

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Congrats to Rice! Love to see him move up to a better gig.

 

[DaSheed]

Where do you think Alexander rice will play? Is he a target for UNC? Or will he play wherever King is coaching?

Too early. Here's a profile:

http://hoopgroup.com/jr-elite/alexander-rice-junior-elite-player-of-the-day/

 

[UNC Blue Hup]

Nice work, Mr Rice! He could be a great assistant if he wanted to come back to the best CBB school in the country.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Nice. I hope his success continues.

 

[TraBuch]

Serious question, what do you guys think about his team's bench antics? Hypothetically, if King Rice were to get the UNC job after Roy retires, would that be something he would have to stop doing?

 

[keysersosay#1]

I would not want any part of it and thought it was stupid after awhile. In no way would it be tolerated or needed at Carolina .Part of the reason it was done at that school was to get attention for the program.

 

[tarheel0910]

I thought it got kind of cheesy after a while. While I would prefer it not to be done at UNC, I wouldn't make it a condition that he stop allowing it.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Didn't see any of their games, what did the bench do that was so bad?

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

Didn't see any of their games, what did the bench do that was so bad?

Over the top celebrations by the bench during the games, sometimes bordering on ridiculous. Here's a Youtube video of some of them:

I thought it was funny for a little while but it did get kinda old. I have no problem with them doing it there, as it brought attention to an otherwise somewhat unknown program. However I would be in the camp that would definitely not want that at Carolina if he were to eventually become the coach. Although - I'd imagine that's more a result of the kids on the bench than the coach. I doubt King told them "you guys should do all these ridiculous celebrations" he probably just allowed it when they asked if they could.

 

[DaSheed]

I have ZERO problem with the Monmouth Bench Mob. College basketball is supposed to be fun. The players on the bench are celebrating the successes of their teammates on the floor. Was the "Danny Dance" before the game or Rasheed Wallace screaming after a dunk (while Dean was coach) any better, worse or different? Not sure how the bench mob would be received at an elite program like UNC. I'm guessing it would either be toned down or eliminated. Not sure. Great question for Roy

After watching and listening to these guys, you can't help but like them

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Thru 67 year old eyes, HAVE FUN and enjoy boys! LOVE IT!

 

[Crimson Ghost]

They are crazy funny. Not sure how the other team is going to feel.