The UCLA Bruins are in need of a new head coach and one of the university's most notable alumni thinks he is just the man for the job.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar interested in UCLA coaching job
One of the greatest to ever play the game is looking to come back to his alma mater and try his hand at coaching. UCLA will have to decide between going with him or someone with more experience on the sidelines.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said on Wednesday that he wants to be considered for the position, according to the Los Angeles Times.
For more on the story, visit Bruins Nation.
Abdul-Jabbar won three National Championships with the Bruins as a player in the 1960s before winning six more championships in the NBA. He also tallied over 38,000 points in his pro career and won six league MVP Awards.
Since retiring, Abdul-Jabbar has followed his alma mater and lately, he told the Los Angeles Times, he has not been pleased with what he’s seen:
“Like all Bruin supporters,” Abdul-Jabbar said, “the recent trend at our school hasn’t made me happy. The players don’t seem to be learning how to play, and haven’t been graduating. We can do better.”
The 7’2 former center said he has told UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero that he is interested in the position, but the university would not comment on the search. Abdul-Jabbar has never coached in Division I, but did guide the Oklahoma Storm to a U.S. Basketball League championship in 2002.
If UCLA decides not to hire Abdul-Jabbar, other names that have surfaced include NC State coach Mark Gottfried and Villanova coach Jay Wright.
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