He appears to be the frontrunner for Fairfield.
The search for a new men’s basketball coach at Fairfield took a significant turn Thursday when Pittsburgh associate head coach Barry Rohrssen had a second interview with Stags athletic director Gene Doris.
A source close to the situation said Rohrssen, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native who has spent the last seven seasons with the Panthers, is the clear front runner for the job as the search nears a conclusion.
Rohrssen was a candidate for the Seton Hall job that went to Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez on Thursday. The source indicated that Rohrssen, despite liking his situation at Pittsburgh where he is among the highest paid assistant coaches in the Big East has a desire to be a head coach and would likely take the Fairfield job if offered.
Fran Fraschilla, who previously was considered a front runner for the job, has withdrawn his name from consideration, according to a coach who attended the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Short-term, taking the Fairfield job is a loss for Rohrssen. He’d likely take a pay cut from his present salary (estimates have it around $200,000+) plus a higher cost of living, for more work, responsibility and less prestige. Long-term he has to take the job. One of the things that really cost him the chance at the Seton Hall gig was his lack of any head coaching experience at any level.
Now here’s the other problem. Fairfield appears to be at about the end of its coaching search. Manhattan is just beginning one. Manhattan is the better gig and has been the bigger springboard (though it too probably requires a pay cut).
Does Rohrssen take the Fairfield gig if offered or try to delay to see if he’s got a shot at Manhattan?
Manhattan College athletic director Bob Byrnes issued a statement noting the search for a new coach was under way. There is no timetable in place, but finding a suitable candidate in the past has required at least two weeks.
“Seton Hall is getting a spirited and energetic coach who will demand the best of his staff and players,” Byrnes said. “At Manhattan, Bobby gave us his best, and in turn, we wish him the very best at Seton Hall.”
Gonzalez put together a 129-77 record with the Jaspers, which included four 20-win seasons and two trips to the NCAA tournament.
Pittsburgh assistant Barry Rohrssen is a strong candidate to replace the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coach of the year. He was passed over by Seton Hall and has interviewed at Fairfield, but the Brooklyn native has major-college aspirations and knows Manhattan is a springboard.
Gonzalez credited Byrnes for consistently finding sideline talent.
“Bob understands and Manhattan understands who they are, and that’s not a knock,” he said. “They understand a guy comes here and gets experience. They mentor you and they know someday you could leave the nest. And they’re proud of that.”
Tough call.
