Lavin officially out

Lavin Fired As UCLA Basketball Coach
By Beth Harris, AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES - Steve Lavin was fired as UCLA's basketball coach Monday after the team's first losing season since 1948.

Lavin, who took the Bruins to the final 16 of the NCAA tournament five times in six years, was told of the expected move in a meeting with new athletic director Dan Guerrero.

"Decisions like this are always tough," Guerrero said. "However, if this program is to regain its place among the nation's elite, I felt a change was required."

"After 12 years, I take the long view, and I am grateful for the experience of teaching at one of the world's great universities," Lavin said in a statement. "I will remember most the lasting friendships I've made, and I remain optimistic about the bright future of the program."

A national search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Lavin had five years remaining on his contract. He will receive a buyout of one year of his full salary of $578,000, and four years at the base salary of $153,000.

Guerrero noted Lavin's accomplishments, including five trips to the NCAA tournament's final 16.

"But my assessment of future success had to be based upon what I have observed this year," he said. "My conclusion was that for UCLA basketball to flourish, a change in leadership was necessary."

UCLA made official Monday what many, including Lavin, had long anticipated.

He said he expected to be fired this season, the Bruins' worst since 1942 when they were 5-18 under coach Wilbur Johns.

Guerrero said in mid-January, when criticism of Lavin reached a peak, that he would evaluate the coach at the end of the season. At that time, Lavin denied he had considered resigning. Guerrero also fired football coach Bob Toledo in December after seven years.

The season began with two rare exhibition losses, and then an overtime loss to San Diego in the opening game before defeats to Duke, Kansas and Michigan.

It looked like Lavin might have revived himself with wins at the Washington schools to start the Pac-10 schedule, but then came a nine-game losing streak. Other lows included being swept by crosstown rival Southern California for the first time in 10 years, and a 10-game conference losing streak.

There were 10 losses at Pauley Pavilion, the most ever in a season, and it showed in the average attendance of 8,348 — the lowest since 1993 in the 12,819-seat arena. At times, the Bruins were booed off their home floor and fans wore T-shirts that said "Lose Lavin" and "Fire Lavin Immediately."

 

Damn if I don't see a lot of Doh in him, kinda scares me.

 

6 straight 20 win seasons, 5 out of 6 years in the sweet 16...

I hope we see a lot of that outta Doherty. But the scrutiny both of them face coaching at high profile universities with the long standing traditions, it's similar yeah.

 

doh and lavin are butt buddies

 

Talking more about the situation and even though UCLA has been decent with him there, I still think they have underachieved.

 

I guess we can say the same thing about Roy Williams too then

 

It's a good thing you are just guessing, cause it's the wrong one.

 

UCLA is about to have the tallest coach in the NCAA. mark my word.