By Glypie Grider
University of Louisville assistant basketball coach Reggie Theus confirmed Saturday night that he has accepted the head coaching job at New Mexico State.
“I think that job has great potential,” Theus said shortly after U of L’s 93-85 win over West Virginia in the Albuquerque Regional NCAA championship game.
New Mexico State scheduled a press conference Monday to announce Theus’ hiring, but results of the meeting were not available at press time.
ESPN.com’s Andy Katz broke the story on Friday although discussions about the hire circulated widely early last week.
This is the first Division I head coaching job for Theus, who has been on Rick Pitino’s staff for two years. Theus is a former NBA All-Star and played 13 years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, Kansas City, Sacramento, Atlanta, Orlando and New Jersey.
Theus said details of his contract and other “relatively small” details are still being worked out with New Mexico State.
Last year, the NMSU Aggies finished with a 6-24 record, its worst season since 1966.
Theus said he will accompany Louisville to St. Louis for the Final Four against Illinois. He said he will not talk to players until after the Final Four.
Theus also said Pitino supported his decision to take the job with the Aggies.
