Ever since Mike Rice joined Phil Martelli’s staff at Saint Joseph’s in 2004, Martelli’s family has played a key role in Rice’s career.

Martelli welcomed Rice into his home, providing his new assistant with a place to stay before he could relocate his family.

Rice returned the favor when he hired Jimmy Martelli — Phil’s son — as an assistant three years ago at Robert Morris, offering a room in his house in Pittsburgh.

And after Martelli served on Rice’s staff for three years with the Colonials, Rice formally named the 27-year-old to his staff at Rutgers, the school announced Tuesday.

Martelli is the first hire for Rice, who was introduced last Thursday as the Knights’ head coach.
Meanwhile, Robert Morris began the Post-Rice era by introducing another former Rice assistant — Andrew Toole — as its head coach.