Broncos search for Davey replacement

By Chris Furnari

Santa Clara has started interviewing potential candidates in its search for a new head men's basketball coach to replace former coach Dick Davey.

While the pool of new candidates has not been released by Athletic Department officials, at least one candidate has been interviewed for the position, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Davey announced his retirement in February after 30 years on the bench as both an assistant and head coach of the Broncos.

Louis Reynaud, the associate head coach at California, spent some time meeting with Santa Clara Athletic Department officials and players on March 22, the Mercury News reported. Reynaud confirmed that he had in fact interviewed for the position, but gave little information as to when a decision would be made.

"I felt good -- I put my best foot forward," Reynaud told the Mercury News.

Reynaud did not meet with University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., on his visit to Santa Clara, but he did give brief insight in the search for a replacement.

"They're going to be very diligent and go through their list of candidates to make the best choice for Santa Clara," said Reynaud. "My sense is they're in no hurry. They're going to make a decision when they feel good about somebody."

Reynaud did not return phone calls from The Santa Clara seeking comment.

Athletic Director Dan Coonan declined to comment on the situation regarding the coaching vacancy, and Jed Mettee, director of media relations, declined to give a timeline for the announcement of a new coach.

Santa Clara is one of 30 Division I colleges that are hiring a new coach this offseason. Some teams on the west coast that might be looking at the same candidates as the Broncos include Hawaii, San Diego and Long Beach State.

San Diego, who is also in the WCC, already found their replacement coach after firing Brad Holland, who coached the Toreros for 13 years. San Diego hired Bill Grier, the former Gonzaga assistant who could have been a possible candidate for the vacant position at Santa Clara.

Other possible candidates that have been mentioned for the position include Santa Clara Associate Head Coach Steve Seandel, former Bronco and current Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis and UCLA Assistant Coach Kerry Keating.

Coonan declined to comment on any possible candidates for the position and would not confirm the interview with Reynaud.

Mettee said that when a selection is made, a formal press conference will be held to announce the new head coach.

Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 551-1918 or cfurnari@scu.edu.