BOULDER — With former Metro State coach Mike Dunlap interviewing Friday and Northern Colorado coach Tad Boyle expected to interview today, Colorado’s search for a new men’s basketball coach appears to be coming to a close.
CU is looking to replace Jeff Bzdelik, who accepted the Wake Forest job Wednesday. Bzdelik’s top aide, associate coach Steve McClain, interviewed Thursday. No candidates other than Dunlap, Boyle and McClain have emerged, which means CU could be naming a coach soon.
Hiring a coach quickly might help salvage recruiting efforts this spring. Colorado has three scholarships to offer and hopes to sign at least two frontcourt players.
Two athletic power forwards, 6-foot-8 Majok Majok of Northfield (Mass.) Mt. Hermon and 6-10 Gorgui Dieng of Huntington (W.Va.) High, had been scheduled to make official visits to Colorado this weekend, but their trips were postponed by CU until a new coach is hired.
Dunlap, 53, did not meet with CU players on Friday. He guided Metro State to Division II national championships in 2000 and 2002, and was a Nuggets assistant before one-year stints as an assistant coach at Arizona and Oregon.
Dunlap said he is still considered a candidate for the Oregon head coaching job, which has been open for weeks.
“But Colorado is the job I really want,” Dunlap told The Denver Post on Friday before his interview. “This is home.”
The Denver area has remained the home base for the Dunlap family the past two years while he coached in the Pac-10. Dunlap was considered a finalist for the CU job three years ago before withdrawing his name before Bzdelik’s hiring. At that time, he expressed concerns about Colorado’s commitment to men’s basketball, but he said Friday that athletic director Mike Bohn has helped change the culture. Dunlap specifically cited improvements in the facilities.
“Things are in place to compete in the Big 12 that weren’t there three years ago,” Dunlap said. “Mike and his staff have made that commitment. They have forged ahead. The talent level of the team is promising.
“When you’re talking about CU, it has always had the potential (to succeed). You’re talking about an institution that’s second to none. It would be fun being associated with that.”
Boyle did not return a call seeking comment. The Boulder Daily Camera first reported he would interview today.
Tom Kensler: 3039-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
