| | ESPN.com news services
TULSA, Okla. -- Buzz Peterson now has a "real"
chance at beating his alma mater.
After four seasons at Appalachian State, including an NCAA
Tournament appearance this year, Peterson on Tuesday was named coach
at Tulsa, taking over a program that fell one victory shy of
reaching the Final Four in March.
"This is something that has happened very quickly," Peterson
said. "I'm very excited to be here at the University of Tulsa.
To me, it is considered one of the top 25 programs in the
country. Hopefully, the success will continue."
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Peterson names assistants
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New Tulsa basketball coach Buzz Peterson
said Friday that Ed Conroy, head coach at Francis Marion
University, will join his staff as director of basketball
operations.
Peterson also announced the hiring of two assistant coaches, Al
Daniel, a former associate head coach at North Carolina State, and
Kerry Keating, his assistant at Appalachian State.
Conroy, 33, guided his South Carolina team to a 41-40 record the past three seasons. He also has served as an assistant
at Furman University, Virginia Military Institute and North
Carolina State.
Conroy was a three-year starter at point guard for The Citadel.
Daniel, 43, joins Peterson's staff after serving for three years
as associate director of Howell Sports Management. He previously
spent six years under coach Les Robinson at North Carolina State.
Daniel and Peterson worked together under Robinson from 1990 to
1993. |
Peterson, 37, succeeds Bill Self, who left for a similar position at Illinois on June 9.
A source close to Peterson told ESPN.com his contract is for five years, worth an estimated $450,000 per season. Self was due a raise from $350,000 to $550,000 prior to leaving for Illinois.
"The only thing I want is the chance ... to
get to the Final Four and win the national championship," Peterson
said. "I can win a national championship from here and that's what I
want. That's all I need."
Peterson beat out Tulsa assistant Norm Roberts and Texas-San Antonio head coach Tim Carter for the position. Peterson interviewed Saturday, a day after he had to speak at the funeral of the Mountaineers' leading scorer, Rufus Leach. Leach died in a swimming accident. Roberts
is expected to join Self at Illinois.
Some Tulsa players had been pushing for Roberts to get the top
job, and leading scorer David Shelton acknowledged he didn't know
too much about the new coach.
But he said players were ready to work with Peterson and liked
what he had to say when he met with them Tuesday.
"It was pretty much the same philosophy as coach Self, except a
little less swearing that goes on," Shelton said. "He let us know
he'll listen to us. We'll talk things out."
A source close to Peterson told ESPN.com that the Appalachian State players and administration understood that Peterson had to seek professional growth. He had pursued a number of jobs over the past two years. He interviewed at Southwest Missouri State, Houston and was a candidate at Georgia Tech and Nebraska.
Michael Jordan's former roommate at North Carolina, Peterson
teamed with the basketball legend in helping the Tar Heels and
coach Dean Smith win the 1982 national championship.
Peterson will again get his chance to coach against one of
college basketball's elite programs when he takes the Golden
Hurricane to Chapel Hill early next season. During Tuesday's
introductory news conference, he talked about now having a
chance at beating North Carolina.
Included in Peterson's 79-39 record while at Appalachian State
was an 87-64 loss in the Dean E. Smith Center in 1998.
Ironically, it was the Tar Heels who handed Tulsa and Self a 59-55 loss in the NCAA Tournament South
Regional final March 26.
"Bill Self did a tremendous job with this program and I need to
come in, form a staff and continue the process," Peterson added.
Peterson has served as an assistant at Appalachian State
(1987-89), East Tennessee State (1989-90), North Carolina State
(1990-93) and Vanderbilt (1993-96).
Roberts was the local favorite because he helped Self recruit and coach the Golden Hurricane to the Elite Eight last March. Roberts, who is expected to join the Illinois' staff, had Self's endorsement for the job.
Appalachian State promoted assistant coach Houston Fancher to replace Peterson.
ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz contributed to this report. | |
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Division I coaching changes
AUDIO/VIDEO
 An excited Buzz Peterson looks to continue improving Tulsa's successful program.
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Former Tar Heel Buzz Peterson is looking forward to playing against his alma mater.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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