 |
 |
|
| | Tuesday, July 11 Doherty calls meeting with UNC 'productive' | |||||
| Associated Press CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Notre Dame coach Matt Doherty had a "productive" meeting with North Carolina about its coaching vacancy, but he has not been offered the job. Doherty met with athletics director Dick Baddour and former coach Dean Smith for six hours Saturday at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill. Philadelphia 76ers coach Larry Brown -- like Doherty a player under Smith -- reportedly was to meet with university officials on Sunday. Doherty flew Saturday night to Indianapolis, where he is attending the Nike All-America Camp. Doherty said Baddour and Smith did not give him a timetable on the school's search for a new coach. When asked about his visit to Chapel Hill, Doherty told the South Bend Tribune: "It was a productive meeting. ... I think it went well." Doherty replied simply "no" when asked if he had been offered the job to replace Bill Guthridge, who retired June 30. Kansas coach Roy Williams turned down the position Thursday. "I'm sure they'd like to do something sooner rather than later, but I don't think they are going to rush it," Doherty told The News & Observer of Raleigh. Baddour, leaving his office Saturday with his wife and Doherty's wife, Kelly, refused to comment beyond a reply of "yes" when asked if things were progressing. Doherty, 38, was an assistant to Williams at Kansas, before going to Notre Dame, where he led the Irish to a 22-15 record and a second-place finish in the NIT in his first season. The Charlotte Observer reported Sunday that Brown flew from the West Coast to North Carolina on Saturday night and was to talk with UNC on Sunday. Philadelphia owner Pat Croce granted Smith permission Friday to talk to Brown, 59, who joined the 76ers in 1997 and signed a contract extension in March. Steve Kirschner, a North Carolina athletic department spokesman, said Sunday it appeared that a new coach would not be hired for the next few days. Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White hopes to give Doherty the space to he needs to make a decision, but he said Saturday that looking for a replacement is premature. "The best coach for the University of Notre Dame is Matt Doherty," White said. North Carolina also has received permission to talk to Middle Tennessee State coach Randy Wiel. | ALSO SEE Source: North Carolina to hire Notre Dame's Doherty Williams says no to UNC, stays at Kansas Karl takes himself out of running for UNC job Passing on dream job, Brown rules out North Carolina Thanks, but ... Fogler withdraws name from UNC race | |||||