SMU Coaching Search: Larry Brown Becomes Mustangs New Head Coach

Larry Brown Confirms That He Is Officially SMU's New Head Coach

After a week of heavy speculation leading up to and following an interview with the school, legendary coach Larry Brown has confirmed that he will be the new head coach for the SMU Mustangs men's basketball team.

According to Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News, Brown has confirmed that he will be accepting the position.

Larry Brown and SMU have reached an agreement for the 71-year-old Hall of Famer to become the school's new men's basketball coach, a source said Thursday afternoon.

Brown confirmed the news.

"I'm thrilled that they think enough of me to put me in this position," he said when reached by SportsDay's Brad Townsend. "I realize how important this hire is, going into the Big East. But it's a thrill. I always thought of myself as a college coach. Now this gives me a chance to get back where I started."

Mengus22 at Big East Coast Bias has more information on the move.

Brown has an NCAA championship under his belt and the school is hoping that the former NCAA, ABA and NBA coach can lead SMU into the national conversation.

For more news on Larry Brown and the SMU coaching search, please stay tuned to this StoryStream.

SMU Basketball Coaching Search: Larry Brown Says He Has Not Been Offered Job

Despite reports on Tuesday that he had agreed to become the next basketball coach at SMU, Larry Brown says that not only has he not accepted the position, he hasn’t even been offered it.

“They haven’t offered me the job, I haven’t accepted the job, and I would never do it without (his agent) Joe’s blessing,” Brown told The Associated Press. “I think before anything happens, Steve would probably have to have his blessing from his president. That’s where we are.”

Brown, who hasn’t coached in college since leading Kansas to the NCAA title in 1988, did say that he has spoken with SMU athletic director Steve Orsini since they first met on Monday. He also said that his interest in the job is legitimate.

“I’m serious. I wouldn’t have gone to visit to SMU if I wasn’t interested,” Brown said. “Matt Doherty is a good friend, and he told me a lot about it. The fact that they brought me in, I was thrilled. It was better than expected and I was thankful that they gave me a chance to visit with them. But really it’s in their court.”

While the smart money still appears to be on this deal ultimately getting done, the official announcement isn’t going to come as quickly as many were predicting on Tuesday.

For more news on the SMU coaching search, please stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Larry Brown Agrees To Become SMU Basketball Head Coach, According To Report

The SMU Mustangs recently conducted a search for a new head coach for their men's basketball team. The school hopes to completely overhaul and revitalize the basketball program in hopes of entering the national public consciousness. To that end, the top name on their list and the first candidate they significantly targeted was legendary NCAA, ABA and NBA head coach Larry Brown.

According to Jason King of ESPN Dallas/Ft. Worth, Brown has agreed to become SMU's new head coach. He interviewed with the school on Sunday and things reportedly went very well. The official announcement of Brown as the new head coach could come as early as Tuesday.

The only holdup involves Brown's assistants. Sources said that Brown has offered Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich a "coach-in-waiting position." Jankovich is leaning toward accepting the job, but he's also conflicted about leaving a Redbirds squad that returns every key player from last season's 21-14 team.

Brown had expressed an interest in SMU prior to interviewing for the position.

For more news on the SMU coaching search, please stay tuned to this StoryStream.

SMU Basketball Coaching Search: Mustangs Target Larry Brown For Position

In mid-March, the SMU Mustangs parted ways with their men's head basketball coach, Matt Doherty. The coach put up a losing record of 80-109 in his six seasons overseeing the program. SMU is hoping to overhaul their basketball program and to that end, they've begun casting their nets for a new head coach that can bring the team a measure of national success.

According to Kate Hairopoulos of Dallas News, the school is pursuing Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown. The attraction is reportedly mutual, as Brown has expressed both an interest in returning to coaching and in the Mustangs job in particular.

"SMU is a great school, it's going into the Big East and Dallas is a great market," Brown said. "You've got the Mavericks there with Cuban, he's really a good owner and that's a great situation, to have a team in that city with all the success they've had."

Andy Katz of ESPN has confirmed that Brown is interviewing with the school. Brown has coached in the NCAA, ABA and NBA. Among his many accomplishments is a men's national title, as he led the Kansas Jayhawks to victory in the 1988 NCAA Tournament.

For more news on the SMU coaching search, please stay tuned to this StoryStream.

Matt Doherty Fired By SMU After 6 Seasons

SMU has fired basketball coach Matt Doherty after producing just one winning season in six years.