WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin plans to talk with Purdue coach Gene Keady about possibly joining the Boilermakers as an assistant coach, with the prospect of eventually succeeding Keady.

Lavin, who was fired in March after going 145-78 in seven seasons at UCLA, was an assistant to Keady at Purdue in 1989-91.

"Some of my most rewarding years in coaching were my years as an assistant at Purdue and then at UCLA,'' Lavin told the Journal and Courier for a story published Thursday. "Because of my special feelings for coach Keady, Purdue and greater Lafayette, this is one of the few places I would consider being an assistant coach.''

Lavin also has been in discussions with ESPN about becoming a college basketball analyst for the network.

Keady, 66, has been Purdue's coach for 23 years and has said he plans to coach at least through the 2004-05 season, after which his contract expires.

Telephone messages for Lavin and his agent have been left this week by The Associated Press.

Keady said Thursday he would likely talk with Lavin about an expected staff opening.

"We would look inside our Purdue family first, and Lavin would definitely be someone we would consider,'' Keady told The Indianapolis Star.

Speculation about Lavin, 38, returning to Purdue began after Bruce Weber, a longtime Boilermakers assistant who had been considered a potential Keady successor, was hired April 30 as the new coach at Illinois after five seasons at Southern Illinois.

Lavin's UCLA teams reached the NCAA's round of 16 five times during his seven seasons, but he was heavily criticized by fans this past season as the Bruins finished 10-19.

Lavin said he could benefit by having time to re-familiarizing himself with the Big Ten before becoming a head coach again.

"Coach Keady and Purdue gave me my first coaching opportunity, and that's something for which I will always be grateful,'' he said. "Any time there's a possibility of returning to your roots, you're going to give it strong consideration.''