Wyoming will hire Fresno State associate coach Heath Schroyer as its head basketball coach, the Casper Star-Tribune and CBS SportsLine.com reported on their websites Thursday.
Kevin McKinney, Wyoming’s associate athletics director for media relations, wouldn’t comment on the reported hiring, or on reports a news conference was planned for today to announce the hiring.
Wyoming fired Steve McClain on March 12. He had a 157-115 record in nine seasons with the Cowboys, including three trips to the NIT and Wyoming’s first NCAA Tournament win in 14 years, a 73-66 upset of Gonzaga in 2002. But the Cowboys have been mediocre the past four seasons, with two losing records, no postseason invitations and declining ticket sales.
Minnesota: With Kentucky fans dogging him after another disappointing finish, Tubby Smith is bolting the bluegrass for the Gophers.
Smith will be introduced as Minnesota’s 16th coach today, ending a 10-year tenure with the Wildcats that seemed to be in its final days even before Minnesota contacted him.
The Wildcats went 22-12 this season and made it to the NCAA Tournament but lost to top-seeded Kansas in the second round, turning up the heat on the coach of college basketball’s winningest program.
Smith led Kentucky to the national championship in his first season in 1998, but the Wildcats haven’t been back to the Final Four since, their longest drought since the NCAA Tournament began.
Minnesota was 9-22 this season, the most losses in the 111-year history of the program, and averaged just 60.6 points a game, its lowest in 56 years.
Former coach Dan Monson was forced to resign seven games into this season.
Smith has forged a 263-83 record in tenures at Tulsa, Georgia and Kentucky.
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said he will immediately start an “exhaustive, comprehensive and focused” search for the next coach.
New Mexico: Steve Alford is leaving Iowa to coach the Lobos.
New Mexico athletics department spokesman Greg Remington said a news conference tentatively has been scheduled today to announce the school’s new coach.
Alford, a former star at Indiana, had a 152-106 record in eight seasons at Iowa. He led the Hawkeyes to three NCAA Tournament appearances, but Iowa won just one NCAA Tournament game under his leadership. The Hawkeyes finished 17-14 this season.
Alford replaces Ritchie McKay, who was fired after going 82-65 in five seasons.
Xavier: Coach Sean Miller agreed to a contract extension that runs through the 2015-16 season. No further details were released.
Iona: The college reportedly will buy out the remaining two years on coach Jeff Ruland’s contract. The former NBA all-star just completed his ninth season at his alma mater with the Gaels finishing 2-28. Ruland has a 139-135 record overall.
North Carolina: Senior Reyshawn Terry again sat out practice while recovering from strep throat, leaving his status in doubt for tonight’s game against Southern California.
“We’re hoping, but I am not real, real encouraged,” coach Roy Williams said.
Duke: Forward Josh McRoberts, who averaged 13 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds his sophomore season, opted for the NBA draft.
Villanova: Guard Scottie Reynolds, the Big East rookie of the year, will return to the Wildcats for his sophomore season.
