It looks as if Ben Braun's coaching tenure will continue even if it is not with the Cal men's basketball team.

Just two weeks after being fired from the Bears' head coaching post, Braun was hired by Rice to fill its recently vacated position of the men's basketball head coach. It was announced Monday by Owls Athletic Director Chris Del Conte.

"He has demonstrated again and again the ability to not only produce quality teams on the court, but also quality student-athletes who can excel in the classroom as well," Del Conte said in a statement.

The move wasn't met by too much surprise from Cal players.

"I figured somebody would give him a job. He's a good coach," said sophomore guard Patrick Christopher, who was planning to call Braun later that day to congratulate him. "He's been coaching for a long time so obviously he has experience. I didn't think him getting a job was going to be an issue."

Neither was forward Theo Robertson the least bit shocked.

"One of my teammates just let me know. I'm not surprised at all," he said. "I didn't know what exactly his plans were after working with us but I'm definitely excited for him and excited for this opportunity."

Braun heads to a floundering program which went 3-27 overall and 0-16 in Conference USA play in the 2007-08 season.

Rice's previous coach, Willis Wilson, compiled a 219-246 career mark in 16 years and three National Invitation Tournament appearances as the program's winningest coach.

Needless to say, Braun-whose resume includes five NCAA Tournament appearances, including one trip into the Sweet 16, the 1997 Pac-10 Coach of the Year honor, the 1999 NIT championship and a 219-154 winning record at Cal-may be quite a catch for the Owls.

For his career, which includes a stint at Eastern Michigan, Braun has 552 career victories.

His former players do not doubt his ability to turn around Rice's program.

"Look at when he came to Cal," Christopher said. "In his first year he went to the

Sweet 16. He has the ability to take over a program and do things like that with probably a young team and whatever talent they have. I believe it was a good move for him and I'm happy for him."

Robertson believes that Braun's track record will be a motivating factor for the Owls.

"I'm not too familiar with (Rice's) situation at all, but the fact that they got coach Braun is definitely good," Robertson said. "All the players will respect him and will want to play for him. I think he'll do fine."

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