As reviews swirled about Mark Madsen’s potential departure from Utah Valley forward of the NIT semifinals, the top coach wasn’t with the crew for observe or necessary media availability on Monday.
As an alternative, Madsen was at house along with his spouse getting ready for the start of his fourth baby. It provides simply one other layer to how UVU is getting ready for its first NIT semifinal look on Tuesday — coping with a head coach who’s each absent and may be on the transfer after the season.
“We’re simply tremendous excited to be right here,” related head coach Todd Phillips mentioned of how the crew is dealing with it. Phillips has taken over Madsen’s duties whereas he’s away. “[We] are one in all eight groups remaining enjoying, so you realize, it’s been a journey of a 12 months.”
Madsen is the main candidate to develop into the following head coach at Cal, in response to a number of reviews. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Cal provided Madsen the job on Sunday.
Madsen is in his fourth season at Utah Valley, carrying a 70-50 document general. This season, Madsen had the Wolverines 28-8 and on the doorstep of this system’s first journey to the NCAA Event. Nonetheless, UVU let a 23-point lead slip away within the Western Athletic Convention Event semifinal recreation— shedding on a four-point play — that saved it out of March Insanity.
Nonetheless, Madsen’s revival of the small WAC faculty has made him a high goal for a high-major job.
For the Cal job particularly, it will deliver Madsen again to California the place he grew up. Madsen performed school basketball at Stanford, serving to lead the Cardinal to the Remaining 4 in 1998 whereas averaging over 10 factors per recreation.
Whereas Stanford and Cal are rivals, Madsen went to highschool at San Ramon Valley, which is nearer to Cal than it’s to Stanford.
Madsen additionally performed within the NBA for 9 seasons after graduating in 2000. He performed three years on the Los Angeles Lakers, successful two NBA titles in 2001 and 2002 with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The ultimate six years of his profession had been spent with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cal is in search of a brand new head coach after going 3-29 final 12 months.
It has reportedly reached out to UC Santa Barbara head coach Joe Pasternack within the interview course of. However Pasternack simply accepted a long-term contract to remain at UCSB.
Kennesaw State head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and St. Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett had been additionally reportedly within the combine.
It’s nonetheless unsure if Madsen will coach UVU on Tuesday in opposition to UAB. If his spouse has the infant, he’ll miss the sport. If his spouse doesn’t have the kid, he’ll fly to Las Vegas and be a part of the crew for the sport.