Just a few hours after he is introduced today as Rutgers’ new football coach at a 1:30 press conference broadcast on SNY, Kyle Flood will learn whether he gets to coach Darius Hamilton.
The 6-foot-4 Hamilton, the son of former Giants great Keith Hamilton, is ranked the No. 2 strongside defensive end in the Class of 2012 by Rivals.
He will announce for either Rutgers or Miami. National Signing Day is Wednesday.
Asked if Hamilton had already decided in his own mind, Don Bosco coach Greg Toal told SNY.tv, “I got no idea, to be honest with you.”
Toal said Hamilton had been “leaning” toward Rutgers before Greg Schiano opted to leave last Thursday to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Hamilton then took a weekend visit to Miami.
“I kind of got the hint that he was leaning towards there [Rutgers] but he did go on a trip to Miami last weekend, so that’s where it stands right now,” Toal said.
Wherever Hamilton lands, Toal believes he will make a huge impact.
“I think he can be a great player, there’s no question,” said Toal, whose team won the USA Today national championship last season for a second time. “I think he’s smart. I think he’s a hard worker. He’s got everything it takes to be successful.”
Toal said he believes the naming of Flood, 41, to succeed Schiano should have a positive affect on recruiting going forward. A former assistant at Hofstra and Delaware, Flood has been a Schiano assistant since 2006, but has never been a head coach.
“I think that’s definitely a positive for Rutgers, there’s no question,” Toal said. “I think that stands as a positive and I’m sure Darius is going to look at it that way and we’ll see.
“Kyle Flood’s a real good man, and most people would love to play for a guy like Kyle.”
Toal also praised Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti for communicating with New Jersey’s top coaches during the coaching change.
“He’s really done a great job and they’ve been on top of it,” Toal said.
