M.Hoops:
Ben Braun Fired From Head Coaching Post

After 12 seasons at the helm of the Cal men's basketball program, coach Ben Braun has been relieved of his duties, Athletic Director Sandy Barbour announced Wednesday.

"This was an extremely difficult decision that was undertaken with great care and diligence," Barbour said in a statement. "However, in the final analysis, I have determined that it is time for Cal to seek new leadership in our men's basketball program. Competing for conference championships and a place in the NCAA Tournament are goals and expectations that are embraced at Cal. Unfortunately, we have not been able to consistently meet those expectations in our men's basketball program."

The announcement came two days after the Bears ended their 2007-08 season with a 73-56 loss to Ohio State in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament on Monday.

The seven or eight players who hadn't gone home for spring break were informed at noon by Braun in the locker room. Barbour had a meeting with the players afterward and explained that she was acting in the best interest of the program and of the university.

"She came in after coach Braun announced it to the team," forward Jamal Boykin said. "He pretty much said he wishes us the best of luck in the future and he is proud of what we've accomplished and he wants us to stick together and work hard in the offseason and take care of ourselves."

Boykin and Theo Robertson, both of whom were present at the meetings, said the decision came as a surprise.

"I was speechless," Boykin said. "I had heard all the rumors but I was speechless and shocked. That was my initial reaction. Kind of numb in a way.

"It was just hard to see him go through that because I think it was unexpected, especially this early-we've only been back (from Columbus, Ohio) a couple days."

Despite the unexpected nature of the announcement, the players said they understand Barbour's decision, especially considering the results of the last two years. While the Bears failed to reach the postseason in 2007, they fell quite short of expectations this season when they finished ninth in the conference and lost in the second round of the NIT.

In the last five seasons, Braun has led Cal to the NCAA Tourney only once-in 2006 when the Bears, led by Leon Powe, lost in the first round to N.C. State. Braun's teams for three of the past four seasons have finished eighth or ninth in the Pac-10. Between 2004-08, he has amassed a 79-75 overall record and a 39-51 record in Pac-10 play.

"Overall the numbers don't lie," Boykin said. "(This year) we made the NIT but I think that was a disappointment to a lot of people. To some, that's an honor, but with the talent level of this team, I'm sure a lot of people had higher expectations, as did we."

There has often been quite a disparity between expectations and results in Braun's tenure. Since he replaced Todd Bozeman 12 years ago, Braun-who has a buyout in his contract and will be paid $985,000-has taken Cal to five NCAA Tournament appearances and three NITs, where the Bears clinched the title in 1999. Braun's 1996-97 squad reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, but Cal has been unable to duplicate that success since. Braun finishes his career with the Bears with a 219-154 overall record.

"I'd like to thank the Cal community for 12 great years of support," Braun said in a statement. "I've had the privilege to coach at one of the top university's in the country, and I'm proud of the program we've built. Going to eight postseason tournaments has been very special. I'm obviously disappointed that my staff and I won't be able to coach this team next year, and I feel they will be very successful."

Barbour said that a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately. She will have one ear tuned to the players, who will be holding a meeting in the next few days to discuss the situation and decide what characteristics they want in a coach. Boykin said the Bears could benefit from having a coach who doles out more discipline.

"(Barbour) definitely wanted to hear how the players felt, get our input on what characteristic traits we were looking for in a coach," Robertson said. "We're going to meet when everyone returns to town and come up with some things-where the program was successful and where we had issues. We'll present that to Sandy. She was open to hearing our voices-that's something we'll take advantage of."

Associate head coach Louis Reynaud will head the program until a new head coach is hired.

Tags: BEN BRAUN