George Washington men's basketball head coach Mike Lonergan interviewed with Rutgers for the Big Ten program's vacant position, CSNmidatlantic.com has learned.
The interview took place Monday, according to a source close to the situation. Rutgers fired coach Eddie Jordan Thursday after a 7-25 record in his third season.
Despite the interest and potential for a significant increase in salary, Lonergan is unlikely to leave GW for Rutgers at this point, sources said.
Now in his fifth year at Foggy Bottom, the Bowie native has ties throughout the area. Lonergan, 50, signed an extension in 2014 through the 2020-21 season after turning down an offer from Boston College.
The Colonials (23-10) will face Hofstra Wednesday in the opening round of the NIT, GW's third straight postseason appearance under Lonergan, including the 2014 NCAA Tournament.
Jordan was set to earn $1.45 million for 2016-17, according to the Asbury Park Press. The per year salary for the new hire could finish around $2 million under new athletic director Pat Hobbs, sources said, with Rutgers investing more resources into the overall program to keep up in the competitive Big Ten.
Another Atlantic 10 coach, Rhode Island's Danny Hurley, is also a possible target for Rutgers according to numerous reports.
Smith Center, George Washington's basketball arena, received a multi-million dollar facelift earlier this decade. However, the resources available to Lonergan and the team, including for travel, are thought to lag behind other Atlantic 10 programs.
If Lonergan were to leave GW for a Big Ten school, the sense is ideally that school would be Maryland. Lonergan grew up a fan of the program and served as former Maryland coach Gary Williams' assistant during the 2004-05 season.
GW is 92-70 since Lonergan arrived from Vermont in 2011 with three straight seasons of at least 22 wins.
Despite losing four seniors off the current team to graduation, the Colonials return two starters for 2016-17, including leading scorer and rebounder Tyler Cavanaugh. The incoming five-member recruiting class is arguably the best under Lonergan while former Seton Hall transfer Jaren Sina is eligible to begin playing for GW next season.
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