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| | Friday, July 14 Kent turns down Notre Dame's offer | |||||
| ESPN.com news services University of Oregon basketball coach Ernie Kent did not take the job at Notre Dame because there was too much pressure to make a decision quickly, a published report said. The Register-Guard of Eugene is reporting in its editions Friday that Kent, 45, will stay with the Ducks, whom he led to a 22-8 record and an NCAA Tournament berth last season. "What I found out is that they need someone in place now. I can't do that," Kent told The Register-Guard. "I have family considerations, I have university considerations and there are too many things involved for me to do something like this so quickly." Notre Dame will name Delaware's Mike Brey as its new head coach Friday. Irish spokesperson John Heisler denied a published report that Notre Dame had first offered Kent the position. Kent interviewed with North Dame athletics director Kevin White on Thursday in Washington, D.C., for the position vacated by Matt Doherty, who left for North Carolina earlier this week. Kent was offered a seven-year contract worth about $700,000 a year -- well above the $420,000 salary Kent earns on his current deal, which runs through 2002-03, The Register-Guard reported. Kent said he could not comply with Notre Dame's request to make a decision quickly. Coaching the Irish would have raised Kent's national profile instantly, but his loyalty to Oregon was more important. "It wasn't about the money," Kent said. "Notre Dame called, and I looked into it, and this is the outcome. Kevin White said he could feel my passion for Oregon and for my family. I can't honestly say what it would have taken to make my decision different." Kent also could have a better team than Notre Dame's. The Ducks, with McDonald's All-American Luke Ridnour of Blaine, Wash., will be contenders for the Pacific-10 Conference title after finishing third last season. Kent, who has been at Oregon for three years and recently signed a three-year contract extension, led the Ducks to their best record in 55 years last season. Former Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo, another candidate, withdrew from consideration, ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported Thursday. A coaching colleague close to Carlesimo told Katz that Carlesimo isn't interested in the position. Information from ESPN.com senior writer Andy Katz, ESPN's Digger Phelps and The Associated Press was used in this report. | ALSO SEE Notre Dame set to name Brey as next coach Bilas: Irish eyes should smile over Brey North Carolina hires Notre Dame's Doherty Katz: UNC obliges Doherty's demand Katz: One tree, but no forest | |||||