Mike Rice enters his second season “On the Banks” in 2011-12 on the heels of an intriguing 2010-11 campaign and with the highest-rated recruiting class in school history in tow. The 17th head coach in the history of the Rutgers men’s basketball program, the Pittsburgh, Pa. native has made a definite impact on Garden State hoops and will continue to push the Scarlet Knights to greater heights with a relentless style that has become his trademark.
Rice balances an indomitable courtside manner with an approachable, self deprecating persona off the court. The resulting dynamic has paid early dividends for an RU fan base hungry for postseason returns. With just eight scholarship players on the roster last season, the Scarlet Knights earned many notable victories. Off the court, enthusiasm for the program is tangible with a top 10 ranked recruiting class poised to call Piscataway home for the next four years.
Rice wasted little time making his mark in 2010-11. The Scarlet Knights’ 9-2 beginning marked the best start for a first-year head coach at RU since Donald S. White began his tenure with a 10-2 record in 1945-46. Included were wins over ACC foe Miami and SEC-member Auburn. It signaled the first time Rutgers had defeated teams from multiple “Big Six/BCS” leagues in the regular season since Nov. 1999.
The nonconference success extended to the always rugged BIG EAST conference campaign. Rutgers downed No. 9-ranked Villanova at home in one of college basketball’s most thrilling finishes and won two of three against rival Seton Hall. An overtime victory against the Pirates at Madison Square Garden marked RU’s first BIG EAST tournament win since 2006.
Rice was named the Rutgers’ 2010-11 Coach of the Year by the University’s student newspaper, the Daily Targum.
Jonathan Mitchell and Gilvydas Biruta earned accolades both on and off the court under Rice. Mitchell was an All-Metropolitan selection and was joined by fellow senior tri-captains James Beatty and Mike Coburn in their caps and gowns, as all three earned diplomas in May. Biruta was a BIG EAST All-Rookie honoree and capped his freshman campaign with a 3.57 cumulative grade point average.
The success on the court and in the classroom also extends into the community. With the help of Director of Player Development Eric Murdock, Rice has been proactive in the program’s efforts to make a difference in the lives of children and the disadvantaged. The team participates in a multitude of community outreach initiatives, including the “Scarlet Letters” pen pal program, “Read Across America” and “Toys for Tots.” Rutgers basketball players volunteer at Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen in New Brunswick and are active in the NABC’s “Ticket to Reading Rewards” program. In addition, players volunteer at the United Way’s Gifts for the Season program and deliver toys to children during the holidays via the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Toy Drive.
The programs’ involvement in “Ticket to Reading Rewards” earned notable recognition in May. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, NCAA President Mark Emmert, Rice and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski were among a contingent of dignitaries in a celebration at the Myles J. McManus Middle School in Linden. Rice was also recognized at Yankee Stadium that same month in a pregame ceremony, along with several other coaches, for his involvement with Coaches vs. Cancer.
Rice compiled a 73-31 (.702) record as head coach at Robert Morris University en route to three consecutive postseason appearances and a pair of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament berths before being named head coach at Rutgers.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mike, Kerry, Michael and Katie Rice to the Rutgers family,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Pernetti on May 6, 2010. “Mike has proven to be an excellent head coach with a contagious energy and an unrivaled work ethic. Most of all, Mike shares our vision of building a championship basketball program at Rutgers that will bring excitement and pride to the University, the great state of New Jersey and the tri-state area.”
“I’m so excited and appreciative of the opportunity and challenge that lie ahead of us here at Rutgers University,” said Rice. “The University has so much to offer - academics, location, tradition and a passionate fan base. I have seen firsthand the incredible passion that the Garden State and the metropolitan area has for basketball. Our team will have an identity that matches that passion and intensity each and every day. We will build a program that everyone in the Rutgers family can be proud of.”
Rice signed a five-year contract through the 2014-15 season.
A graduate of Fordham University in New York, Rice has made 10 NCAA or NIT appearances as either a head or assistant coach during his 17-year tenure in the collegiate coaching ranks.
Rice directed Robert Morris to first place, regular season finishes in each of his three seasons (2007-08 to 2009-10) and captured back-to-back Northeast Conference Tournament championships in 2009 and 2010. He was named the NABC District Coach of the Year, as well as NEC Jim Phelan Coach of the Year, in both 2008 and 2009. A total of 17 school records were either tied or broken under Rice’s watch, including victories (26 in 2007-08), NEC wins (16 in 2007-08) and consecutive victories (14 in 2007-08). RMU also posted 15-straight NEC road wins over the course of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons, a conference record.
In 2009-10, Rice directed Robert Morris to a 23-12 (15-3 NEC) record. The Colonials’ season came to a close in a hard-fought, 73-70, overtime loss to No. 2-seeded Villanova in an NCAA opening round contest in Providence, R.I. In 2008-09, RMU posted a 24-11 (15-3 NEC) mark and lost 77-62 to No. 2-seeded and eventual national finalist Michigan State in Minneapolis, Minn. In 2007-08, the Colonials had a 26-8 (16-2 NEC) record and concluded its campaign with an 87-81 NIT loss to No. 1-seeded Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.
Prior to assuming the reins at RMU, Rice served as an assistant and primary recruiter at the University of Pittsburgh under head coach Jamie Dixon in 2006-07. He helped the Panthers to a second-place regular season finish and a spot in the BIG EAST Championship final before the team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Pitt finished with an overall record of 29-8 and Rice was instrumental in attracting a 2007-08 recruiting class that was ranked 16th by Scouts, Inc. and 12th by Hoop Scoop.
From 2004 to 2006, Rice was an assistant under head coach Phil Martelli at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa. He helped the Hawks to a combined record of 43-26 (.623) and a pair of NIT bids. In 2004-05, Saint Joseph’s finished with a 24-12 record and advanced to the NIT final.
Rice began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater following his graduation, before serving as an assistant coach at Marquette (1994-97), Niagara (1997-98) and Chicago State (1998-2001). At Marquette, Rice was instrumental in helping the Golden Eagles to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1996 and 1997. Marquette claimed the 1997 Conference USA Tournament championship and finished as the NIT runner-up in 1995.
From 2001 to 2004, Rice worked with the Hoop Group in Neptune, N.J., serving as director of prestigious Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp.
A 1991 graduate of Fordham with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, Rice was a three-year starter for the Rams at guard. He appeared in 117 career games, serving as captain of the 1990-91 squad that posted 25-8 record and earned an NIT berth. Rice’s 152 assists during his senior campaign rank as the sixth highest single-season output in school history.
Rice attended Boardman (Ohio) High School, where he earned three varsity letters in basketball. A three-year starter, he was a two-time All-Northeast Ohio honoree and two-time Steel Valley All-Conference selection.
Rice and his wife Kerry are the proud parents of two children, son Michael (13) and daughter Katie (11). From an athletic family, Rice’s mother, Kathy, played basketball at Duquesne, while his sisters, Susan and Stephanie, both played tennis at Syracuse. His father, Mike Rice Sr., served as head men’s basketball coach at both Duquesne (1979-82) and Youngstown State (1982-87) and currently works as the television color commentator for the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers.
Rice maintains a twitter account and can be followed via the social networking tool at www.twitter.com/CoachMikeRice.
The Rice File
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2010-Present: Head Coach, Rutgers University (Piscataway, N.J.)
2007-2010: Head Coach, Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pa.)
2006-2007: Assistant Coach, University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
2004-2006: Assistant Coach, St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, Pa.)
2001-2004: The Hoop Group (Neptune, N.J.)
1998-2001: Assistant Coach, Chicago State University (Chicago, Ill.)
1997-1998: Assistant Coach, Niagara University (Niagara, N.Y.)
1994-1997: Assistant Coach, Marquette University (Milwaukee, Wisc.)
1991-1994: Assistant Coach, Fordham University (Bronx, N.Y.)
CAREER HEAD COACHING RECORD
Season School Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Finish Conf. Tournament Postseason
2007-08 Robert Morris 26-8 .765 16-2 .889 1st Semifinals NIT
2008-09 Robert Morris 24-11 .686 15-3 .833 1st Champions NCAA
2009-10 Robert Morris 23-12 .657 15-3 .833 T-1st Champions NCAA
2010-11 Rutgers 15-17 .469 5-13 .278 13th Second Round ---
Totals 88-48 .647 51-21 .708 --- --- ---
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birth Date: February 13, 1969 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Boardman (Ohio)
College: Fordham University; B.A. Communications, 1991
Wife: Kerry
Children: Michael (13) and Katie (11)
POSTSEASON APPEARANCES
As a head coach (3): NCAA (Robert Morris 2010 and 2009)
NIT (Robert Morris 2008)
As an assistant coach (7): NCAA (Pittsburgh 2007; Marquette 1997 and 1996; Fordham 1992)
NIT (St. Joseph’s 2006 and 2005; Marquette 1995)
As a player (3): NIT (Fordham 1991, 1990, 1988)
