PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Fred Hill appears to be out as Rutgers basketball coach after four seasons.

Hill was informed today by the university that he wouldn't be retained because of multiple violations of the conduct clause in his contract, The Home News of New Brunswick reported, quoting a source close to the situation.

The newspaper said that Hill has been offered a buyout and was deciding whether to accept it.

Rutgers spokesman Kevin Lorincz said the university had no comment.

Hill's dismissal comes three weeks after athletic director Tim Pernetti gave the coach another year to turn around the program that had gone 47-77 in his four years as coach, including a 15-17 mark this season.

Part of the reason that Hill was retained was Rutgers avoided paying him a $1.8 million payout if it fired him.

Hill got in trouble last Thursday when he yelled obscenities at coaches from Pittsburgh after a baseball game at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are coached by Hill's father and Rutgers had just defeated the Panthers.

A Pittsburgh school official complained to Pernetti on Friday.

The Home News reported that Hill also was insubordinate to Pernetti and failed to communicate critical program details to him.

Hill met with his players on Thursday afternoon. His 13-57 record in Big East play is the worst in league history for anyone who coached at least three years.

Rutgers has not made the NCAA tournament since 1991.

Finding a good coach will not be easy for Rutgers since many programs have already found replacements.

Former St. John's coach and current ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla has said recently that he wants to return to coaching. Former Ohio State and Boston College coach Jim O'Brien also is considered a potential candidate.