Post by dawgggystyle on Apr 3, 2009 11:08:19 GMT -5
Taken from the red and the black....
Published reports surfaced Thursday night stating the University had found its man to coach the men's basketball team.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the hiring of Nevada coach Mark Fox to take over for Dennis Felton.
A news conference is set for today at 11 a.m. to introduce Fox as the 21st coach in Georgia history.
Fox guided Nevada to a 123-43 record in five seasons, winning the Western Athletic Conference four times. The Wolf Pack made the NCAA tournament in Fox's first three years, advancing to the second round in 2005 and 2007.
Fox served as an assistant at Washington, Kansas State and Nevada prior to his promotion in 2004.
The hire came as a surprise, as Fox's name had yet to surface in the media as a potential candidate.
The University used Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to help locate potential candidates and make initial contact.
Initially, former Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant, was reported to have met on March 23 with University President Michael Adams and athletic director Damon Evans in Atlanta to discuss an offer. The University denied the report, stating the meeting never took place, nor was an offer extended.
Grant subsequently became Alabama's coach four days later.
Missouri coach Mike Anderson was rumored to be the next top candidate. Just two days after his Tigers were defeated 82-75 by UConn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, reports surfaced that Evans was prepared to offer Anderson a multi-year contract, worth in excess of $2 million dollars annually.
Anderson's agent, Jimmy Sexton, publicly denied the Georgia offer, but did indicate mutual interest existed.
Anderson signed a new contract with Missouri Tuesday, reportedly a 7-year deal worth $1.5 million annually.
On Thursday the coaching search moved to Detroit as Evans was in the Motor City for meetings surrounding the Final Four. The AJC reported Evans was meeting with Clemson's Oliver Purnell and Miami's Frank Haith to discuss the coaching vacancy.
Miami denied the meeting took place. Phone calls made by The Red & Black to Clemson were not returned.
News of Fox's hiring broke at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, ending Georgia's search for a new head coach.
Felton was fired January 31, following an 83-57 loss at Florida, after posting a 9-11 record in 2009. Felton was unable to meet expectations following Georgia's remarkable 2008 SEC tournament championship.
Felton recorded an 84-91 record in five-plus seasons in Athens, with one NCAA tournament appearance.
Interim coach Pete Herrmann guided the Bulldogs to a 3-10 finish with wins over Florida, Vanderbilt and at Kentucky.
Fox will inherit a roster losing its leading scorer, Terrance Woodbury, and starting shooting guard, Corey Butler, to graduation.
Sophomores Zac Swansey and Troy Brewer are also leaving the program, having requested release from their scholarships.
Published reports surfaced Thursday night stating the University had found its man to coach the men's basketball team.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the hiring of Nevada coach Mark Fox to take over for Dennis Felton.
A news conference is set for today at 11 a.m. to introduce Fox as the 21st coach in Georgia history.
Fox guided Nevada to a 123-43 record in five seasons, winning the Western Athletic Conference four times. The Wolf Pack made the NCAA tournament in Fox's first three years, advancing to the second round in 2005 and 2007.
Fox served as an assistant at Washington, Kansas State and Nevada prior to his promotion in 2004.
The hire came as a surprise, as Fox's name had yet to surface in the media as a potential candidate.
The University used Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to help locate potential candidates and make initial contact.
Initially, former Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant, was reported to have met on March 23 with University President Michael Adams and athletic director Damon Evans in Atlanta to discuss an offer. The University denied the report, stating the meeting never took place, nor was an offer extended.
Grant subsequently became Alabama's coach four days later.
Missouri coach Mike Anderson was rumored to be the next top candidate. Just two days after his Tigers were defeated 82-75 by UConn in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, reports surfaced that Evans was prepared to offer Anderson a multi-year contract, worth in excess of $2 million dollars annually.
Anderson's agent, Jimmy Sexton, publicly denied the Georgia offer, but did indicate mutual interest existed.
Anderson signed a new contract with Missouri Tuesday, reportedly a 7-year deal worth $1.5 million annually.
On Thursday the coaching search moved to Detroit as Evans was in the Motor City for meetings surrounding the Final Four. The AJC reported Evans was meeting with Clemson's Oliver Purnell and Miami's Frank Haith to discuss the coaching vacancy.
Miami denied the meeting took place. Phone calls made by The Red & Black to Clemson were not returned.
News of Fox's hiring broke at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, ending Georgia's search for a new head coach.
Felton was fired January 31, following an 83-57 loss at Florida, after posting a 9-11 record in 2009. Felton was unable to meet expectations following Georgia's remarkable 2008 SEC tournament championship.
Felton recorded an 84-91 record in five-plus seasons in Athens, with one NCAA tournament appearance.
Interim coach Pete Herrmann guided the Bulldogs to a 3-10 finish with wins over Florida, Vanderbilt and at Kentucky.
Fox will inherit a roster losing its leading scorer, Terrance Woodbury, and starting shooting guard, Corey Butler, to graduation.
Sophomores Zac Swansey and Troy Brewer are also leaving the program, having requested release from their scholarships.