DePaul is set to hire a new head coach after firing Oliver Purnell earlier this month. Dave Leitao, who previously coached DePaul for three seasons a decade ago, will take over for the Blue Demons, according to Andy Katz of ESPN.
DePaul is set to bring back Dave Leitao as head coach
Leitao previously coached the Blue Demons from 2002-2005.
Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Leitao took over as DePaul coach during the 2002-03 season and left after his third year to go to Virginia. Leitao led DePaul to two 20-win seasons and one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003-04. DePaul beat Dayton in the Round of 64 that season, but fell to No. 2 UConn in the Round of 32.
Leitao left for Virginia following the 2004-05 season and was replaced by Jerry Wainwright, who would inevitably be replaced by Purnell. Leitao would last four seasons at Virginia, making only one appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
DePaul finished 12-20 last season but lost its last eight games of the season. The Blue Demons did enjoy some success early in the season, beating Stanford, Xavier and St. John’s, before eventually collapsing.
See More:
