Rhode Island Officials Discuss Hoops Job With Ex-Ucla Coach

Former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick, fired just a year after the Bruins won the national championship, visited the Rhode Island campus Tuesday and appeared ready to become the next Rams coach.

Harrick met with Rhode Island president Robert Carothers, athletic director Ron Petro, and Rhode Island team members and boosters. He also met Gov. Lincoln Almond - a Rhode Island alumnus - at the Statehouse, and dined at one of Providence’s best Italian restaurants.

Harrick seemed impressed. He said southern Rhode Island “is a great area to live,” the talent returning from last year’s NCAA tournament team is “above average” and the Atlantic 10 is a “great conference.”

“There’s a lot of positives,” he said.

A decision on whether Harrick would be offered the job could come today, said Petro, who appeared to already have decided on Harrick.