Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Rohrssen makes the right call
He did, barely.
The Brooklyn-born Rohrssen has turned down more money from St. John's to remain Jamie Dixon's top lieutenant. The title now will be "associate head coach."
Rohrssen will remain in the city with the lower cost of living and with a nationally prominent basketball program, instead of one that has hit rock bottom and could be facing NCAA sanctions.
Makes sense.
As of Friday afternoon, however, Rohrssen was ready to bolt to become the associate head coach on Norm Roberts' new staff at St. John's.
Rohrssen said Pitt had not acted quickly enough or boldly enough to keep him, even though it was offering to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in the Big East.
St. John's was offering an annual salary of approximately $200,000. Pitt's offer fell between $170,000 and $180,000.
What made Rohrssen change his mind later that night?
"Jamie Dixon," Rohrssen said Saturday. "He just convinced me."
That, and the fact that St. John's wouldn't up its offer. The conversations went well into the night.
It was the second consecutive year that Rohrssen reached the brink of leaving. Last year, his bags literally were packed -- he was going to join Ben Howland at UCLA -- when Pitt hired Dixon and made Rohrssen a generous offer.
Rohrssen was given a raise in excess of $40,000, similar to this year's. It couldn't match the St. John's offer, but the lure of more cash failed to entice Rohrssen to leave a program he helped re-build, even if it meant going home.
If Rohrssen hopes to become a college head coach or an NBA assistant, working for a recognized and highly successful program is the logical route.
St. John's has reached the point of near invisibility, which is precisely why it wanted to hire Rohrssen. He was the key figure in bringing the likes of Carl Krauser and Chris Taft to Pitt.
Rohrssen yesterday praised the St. John's administration for what he perceives is a solid commitment to rebuilding its program.
He also praised the people of Pittsburgh.
"I'd like to thank the people of this city, our fans and students and the special friends I've made," he said. "They make me feel at home."
It was an excruciating decision. Rohrssen didn't believe it was fair to wait any longer.
"To weigh the personal advantages of each opportunity could become too long a process," he said.
It's good to see somebody make Pittsburgh their home instead of heeding the call of his birthplace. And to take less money in the process.
Rohrssen made the right call. Pitt will be better for it.
