Iowa associate head coach and former Nuggets player Craig Neal is interested in the vacant head coaching position at the University of Denver.
“I’m really happy at Iowa, but I’ve always wanted to be a head coach,” said Neal, who says he has not talked to anyone at DU.
Neal, 43, is a friend of Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and has other ties to Colorado.
“I’m familiar with the city,” he said. “I have family in the city. It’s a great university, a very sophisticated university, and I think they’re committed to a winning basketball program. It’s got potential.”
Neal is in his third year at Iowa, serving under head coach Steve Alford. Neal was an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors for eight years. He played professionally for eight years, including for the Nuggets during the 1990-91 season.
The Indiana native was a guard for Georgia Tech, earning all-ACC honors as a senior in 1988.
Other possible candidates to replace Terry Carroll- dismissed March 2 after an extended and unexplained leave of absence – include Coastal Carolina University coach Buzz Peterson, departing New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay, Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap and Alabama-Birmingham assistant Kerry Rupp.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
