TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -Arizona is still looking for a replacement for Hall of Famer Lute Olson after Southern California coach Tim Floyd turned down the job.
Floyd announced his decision in a meeting with reporters in Los Angeles Thursday afternoon.
Arizona wants a high-profile coach to replace Olson, who retired for health reasons before the start of last season.
Floyd flew to Tucson on Wednesday to meet with Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood about the position.
Floyd has led the Trojans to the NCAA tournament three straight times, and this year he coached them to the Pac-10 tournament title. The 55-year-old Floyd has an 85-50 record in his four seasons at USC. He also coached in college at Iowa State, New Orleans and Idaho. Floyd coached two NBA teams – Chicago (1999-02) and New Orleans (2004).
Russ Pennell was interim coach for Arizona this season, leading the Wildcats to a 21-14 record and the program’s 25th consecutive NCAA appearance.
Messages left for Livengood on his cell phone by The Associated Press were not returned. Arizona sports information director Tom Duddleston said Thursday no news conference or announcement had been scheduled.
USC athletic director Mike Garrett said Arizona had been granted permission to speak with Floyd.
It would have been unusual for a coach to switch from one school to another in the same conference. Former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery is at California, but was with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors between those two college jobs.
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