At first hurt and confused by Ben Howland's decision to take the UCLA job, Pittsburgh players and their outgoing coach will part on good terms after one-on-one exit meetings Sunday.

Howland on Thursday officially ended ties with Pittsburgh, a program he took to national prominence, for a chance to lead the Bruins, whom he idolized growing up in Santa Barbara.

"I feel way better now," point guard Carl Krauser told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette after his nearly hour-long session with Howland on Sunday. "I'm happy with coach's decision. He's been a real big help for me. I wish him the best of luck."

Some players felt abandoned in the three days Howland was negotiating with UCLA. The announcement that he had agreed to take the job came late Wednesday night from Los Angeles, which didn't sit well with the Panthers. According to the Post Gazette, Howland attempted to reach most of the players by phone at that time and early Thursday morning.

Earlier Wednesday, they expressed their anger in a meeting with associate head coach Jamie Dixon.

"I wish he could have told the team the first time," center Torree Morris told the Post Gazette, referring to a meeting a week ago when Howland briefly -- and superficially -- addressed that the UCLA opportunity existed for him. "The way we heard about it wasn't right.

"Overall, it's coach Howland's decision to better himself and his family," Morris added. "Nobody should fault the guy."

Dixon is being endorsed by the players and Howland as Howland's successor. Dixon was scheduled to meet with Pittsburgh chancellor Mark Nordenberg on Sunday, but it doesn't mean the school will promote him. Meanwhile, Memphis coach John Calipari still hasn't heard from the administration, and Wake Forest's Skip Prosser would likely listen. Prosser and Calipari are Pittsburgh natives.

Howland, 45, signed a seven-year contract with a base guarantee of $900,000-plus per year. It includes bonuses for graduation rate, being selected national coach of the year, reaching the Final Four and winning national and Pac-10 Conference titles that could push his salary over $1 million.

Point guard Brandin Knight said he knew what to expect earlier in the week, when he happened to be in Los Angeles attending a Lakers-Grizzlies game involving his brother, Grizzlies guard Brevin Knight.

According to the newspaper, Howland phoned Brandin Knight on his cell and inquired: How's the weather? Do you think somebody could recruit easily there ... ?

Knight figured Howland-to-UCLA was a done deal then.

"I think the guys, the way they found out, the situation could have unfolded better," Knight told the Post Gazette. Knight reportedly was the only one of Pittsburghs three seniors to attend the meeting.

"I think our guys, for the most part, understood his move," Knight said.

Morris, a junior with one season of eligibility remaining, told the paper none of the players have seriously taled about transferring.

"Most people are going to weigh their options," Morris . I'm going to look at things realistically. I don't see any reason to transfer. I want to stay here. I'd like to stay and be an important part of this team."

Information from ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz and The Associated Press was used in this report.