Cal lets Braun go after 17-16 season
Braun has been fired after 12 seasons.
"This was an extremely difficult decision that was undertaken with great care and diligence," athletic director Sandy Barbour said. "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."
Players were informed this afternoon about the move, which takes place following a 17-16 campaign that ended with a loss to Ohio State in the second round of the NIT.
"I was speechless, shocked, kind of numb in a way," forward Jamal Boykin said of the news. "I heard all the rumors. I understand, but I think it's unfortunate because he's put together a really good system. I understand how the business works. This is a top university."
Cal finished ninth in the Pac-10 this season, going just 6-12 in the conference despite having a talented roster that included likely future NBA players in Ryan Anderson, DeVon Hardin and Patrick Christopher.
Anderson, the team's leading scorer and rebounder this season as a sophomore, is likely to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft without hiring an agent so he can still return to school.
"This team had a tremendous amount of talent and it was more the little things that held us back," said forward Theo Robertson, who redshirted the season while recovering from hip surgery.
Braun had taken the Bears to five NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1997. He leaves Cal with a career mark of 219-154. After reaching the Sweet 16 in his first season at Cal, Braun never took the team past the second round. That year, the Bears went 23-9 and went to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Cal won the NIT in 1999 and made three straight trips to the NCAA tournament from 2001-03, before struggling in recent years as other conference programs have improved. The Bears have placed eighth or ninth in the Pac-10 in three of the last four years.
"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 universities 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."
The 54-year-old Braun coached at Eastern Michigan and Siena Heights College before joining the Bears in September 1996. His career record is 552-389 in 31 seasons. Braun leaves Cal with a 219-154 record at the school. His most successful season was his first after taking over when former coach Todd Bozeman was found to have paid $30,000 to the father of a former player. The Bears went 23-9 in 1996-97 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Braun was born in Chicago and played one year of basketball at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated in 1975.
According to terms of the most recent contract extension that went through the 2010-11 season, Braun is due a $985,000 buyout. The door to the men's basketball office was locked Wednesday afternoon and it was dark inside.
Barbour said a search for a new coach will begin immediately, aided by the firm of Eastman & Beaudine, Inc. Associate head coach Louis Reynaud will direct the program until a new head coach is named, and the other assistants will at least stay aboard until then.
The Cal job is one of two open in the conference, along with Oregon State, which fired Jay John during the season.
Some possible replacements for Braun include Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett, former Stanford and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery, former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, former Warriors and Sacramento Kings coach Eric Musselman, UNLV coach Lon Kruger or Arizona assistant Kevin O'Neill.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
advertisement
