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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, April 26, 2010

CBKB: Altman new Oregon basketball coach


Associated Press

Longtime Creighton coach Dana Altman is expected to be announced as Oregon's new head basketball coach at a news conference on Monday afternoon.

A source with knowledge of the hiring confirmed to The Associated Press earlier in the day that Altman had accepted the job. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not been made.

Altman, 51, spent 16 seasons at Creighton, finishing with a 327-176 record. He led the Bluejays to 11 consecutive 20-win seasons before they went 18-16 this year.

The Bluejays have been to the postseason 13 times in his tenure, including seven NCAA Tournament appearances.

He replaces Ernie Kent, who was dismissed after 13 seasons at his alma mater. Oregon went 16-16 last season.

The hiring ends more than a monthlong search during which several high profile names — including Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Minnesota's Tubby Smith — where rumored to be on Oregon's wish list. Missouri coach Mike Anderson said the Ducks approached him, but he turned down the job.

Several media sources reported over the weekend that Oregon was focusing on Altman. He arrived in Eugene, Ore., on Sunday night.

Altman, who also had coaching stints at Marshall and Kansas State, is considered a strong bench coach who produces up-tempo, defense-oriented teams.

In April 2007, Altman left Creighton to take the Arkansas job but returned to Omaha within 24 hours after having a change of heart.

"This is home. This is where I will finish my coaching career. That's pretty obvious now," Altman said at a news conference after Creighton athletic director Bruce Rasmussen hired him back.

In previous years, Altman had been pursued by Illinois, Georgia, Miami and others. He said right after the Arkansas situation that he doubted his phone would be ringing with calls from prospective employers anytime soon.

"A school would be real reluctant to make an offer to someone who's backed out of one," Altman said at the time.

Before his flirtation with Arkansas, Altman had strung together nine straight 20-win seasons and taken the Bluejays to the NCAA tournament seven of his 13 years at the school.

His next two teams were 22-11 and 27-8 and went to the NIT. Last season's squad was 18-16 and was relegated to the CollegeInsider.com tournament.

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AP Sports Writer Eric Olson in Nebraska contributed to this report.