The University of Nevada-Reno agreed to hire LSU assistant Eric Musselman as their new men’s basketball head coach on Wednesday.
The hire is pending approval from the state Board of Regents. Doug Knuth, Nevada’s athletic director, said the he will propose a five-year contract with Musselman to the Board of Regents during a meeting on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Musselman will replace David Carter who was fired earlier this month. Carter was 83-80 in five seasons with Nevada and led Nevada to two NIT appearances.
"The University of Nevada has made an incredible hire," Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He is a great leader, communicator and teacher."
Musselman got his start at coaching with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1990-91 with his father. He was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic. After that he coached the Golden State Warriors, and was fired after the Warriors failed to make the playoffs in his second year with the team. He was an assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies after being fired by the Warriors. He then became the coach of the Sacramento Kings, who fired him in 2007 after a 33-49 season. Musselman is 566-340 as a head coach, according to ESPN. He had a 108-138 record as a coach in the NBA.
Nevada was 9-22 this season and 5-13 in the Mountain West conference.