Princeton coach Joe Scott, who led Air Force to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, will be named Wednesday as the new University of Denver men’s basketball coach.
Princeton associate athletic director Jerry Price confirmed Tuesday night the Tigers are losing Scott to the Pioneers, who finished 4-25 this season.
“When Joe was hired three years ago, I thought he’d be here forever,” Price said. “DU is getting a guy that believes very strongly in what he does and how he does it. There are not a lot of people who are faithful to what they do like him.”
Scott, 41, went 38-45 in three seasons at his alma mater. The Tigers were 11-17 (2-12 Ivy League) this season.
Scott was 51-63 in four seasons at Air Force and was named the 2004 Mountain West Conference coach of the year after going 22-7 (12-2 MWC) and getting the Falcons’ first NCAA berth since 1962.
Scott replaces Terry Carroll, who left DU on an unexplained leave Dec. 20 and was fired March 3. He was 79-99 in six seasons at DU.
Emporia (Kan.) State coach David Moe and Rice coach Willis Wilson also interviewed with DU athletic director Peg Bradley-Doppes.
Scott will be DU’s third coach since the Pioneers rejoined Division I basketball in 1999.
“Joe’s a very passionate guy about Princeton basketball and has given a lot of effort to Princeton basketball, and he’ll do the same for DU,” Price said. “They’re not many people as loyal as Joe Scott.”
A native of New Jersey, Scott was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at point guard for Princeton (1983-87).
He is credited with reviving Air Force basketball by installing the “Princeton offense.” He replaced Reggie Minton in 2000 and went 8-21 that season and improved the next two seasons before going the NCAA Tournament in 2004, losing to North Carolina in the first round.
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
