PHILADELPHIA — Less than 24 hours after releasing a statement saying Ben Howland had not been fired, UCLA released a statement saying Howland had been fired.
The school said it will conduct a “national search for his successor.”
VCU’s Shaka Smart, Butler’s Brad Stevens, Villanova’s Jay Wright and N.C. State’s Mark Gottfried, as well as others, are expected to be targeted.
“I want to thank Ben for all that he has done for UCLA in his ten seasons in Westwood,” UCLA AD Dan Guerrero said. “He embraced our tradition and culture and produced some terrific teams and coached a number of wonderful young men. We wish Ben and his family all the best as they move onto a new chapter in their lives.”
The news was first reported Saturday by Alex Kline of The Recruit Scoop, and confirmed to SNY.tv by a source with direct knowledge.
The source said UCLA was interested in retaining assistant Korey McCray, who recruited freshmen Tony Parker and Jordan Adams to Westwood.
In 10 seasons in Westwood, Howland compiled a 233-107 record, with seven NCAA Tournament berths, including a string of three Final Fours from 2006-2008.
“I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach at UCLA for 10 years and I will always be grateful to Dan Guerrero and Chancellors Block, Abrams and Carnesale for the opportunity to coach and teach our players and work alongside tremendous coaches,” Howland said. “The UCLA community and fans have been unbelievable to my family and I, and it’s been an honor and privilege to represent this great institution. I look forward to what comes next.”
