Reports: Rutgers wants to hire former 76ers coach Eddie Jordan to replace Mike Rice

Rutgers' choice to be its next men's basketball coach is reportedly former 76ers coach Eddie Jordan.

ESPN.com first reported that the Scarlet Knights want to hire Jordan, who is currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Yahoo! Sports later reported that Rutgers and Jordan have gotten as far as discussing terms of a contract.

Jordan played for the Scarlet Knights from 1973 to 1977, then embarked on a seven-year NBA career. His coaching career began in 1997 with the Sacramento Kings. He has also been head coach of the Washington Wizards and the 76ers, and an assistant with the Nets and now the Lakers.

A D.C. native, Jordan was in Philadelphia for just one season, the 2009-10 campaign. He oversaw a team that finished with a disappointing 27-55 record, in a season that saw Allen Iverson briefly return to the 76ers.

Jordan is reportedly not Rutgers' first choice to take the job. The Scarlet Knights first wanted Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley, who previously built St. Benedict's Prep into a national power. Hurley is the son of legendary St. Anthony's high school coach Bob Hurley. Both men have deep ties into the northern New Jersey basketball recruting community.

Jordan's calm demeanor will certainly be a change from the mannerisms of Mike Rice. Rice was fired earlier this month after a video broadcast on ESPN showed him physically and verbally abusing players. Athletic director Tim Pernetti resigned a few days later. Carl Kirschner has been serving as Rutgers' interim AD since Pernetti's departure.