LSU BASKETBALL SET TO HIRE TRENT JOHNSON
By Ken Trahan
Wednesday, April 09 2008
WGSO has learned that LSU is set to hire Stanford’s Trent Johnson as its new head basketball coach. Johnson, a graduate of Boise State, spent the last four seasons at Stanford compiling an overall record of 81-48 with three NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT appearance. This past season, Johnson guided the Cardinal to the Sweet 16, beating Cornell and Marquette in the NCAA tournament before being eliminated by Texas. Prior to his stint at Stanford, Johnson served as the head coach at Nevada from 1999-2004, leading them to the Sweet 16 in 2004. Johnson will become the first ever African-American head coach in LSU men’s basketball history.
If true, this is big news. You have to believe Montgomery knew about this before committing to Cal given he was employed by the university as well as his close relationship to Trent. Moreover, it's hard to imagine that Bowlsby (Stanford's AD)didn't offer Montgomery the job. Ipso facto, Monty turned down the Cardinal for Cal. I'm liking him more already!
Trent departing isn't in and of itself suprising. He and Bowlsby did not get along, Johnson was not popular with his players and he had little coming back after Los Lopez announced they were leaving. Bowlsby had delayed signing Trent to a contract extension and Trent clearly decided he would be more wanted elsewhere.
Don't be surprised to see Mark Fox or Tony Bennett introduced as Stanford's new head basketball coach.
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The plot thickens! What makes you think Monty knew Trent was out? Wasn't he offered an extension? Seems that if he was is was a weak offer, and LSU was happy to beat it.
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