Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, March 14, 2001
Michigan coach asked to resign
Pitino mentioned as possible candidate
The Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Brian Ellerbe will not return as Michigan's basketball coach after being asked to resign by the school's athletic director
Ellerbe just finished his fourth year as coach of the Wolverines
Athletic director Bill Martin said yesterday he did not see sufficient improvement in a program once among the sport's elite.
Michigan went 10-18 this season and 4-10 in the Big Ten, closing the year with an 62-80 loss to Penn State in the Big Ten tournament. Ellerbe was 62-60 during his stay at Michigan.
"The program and the student-athletes did not make progress over this year," Martin said at an afternoon news conference.
Martin said he asked Ellerbe to resign Sunday. Michigan will have to pay Ellerbe about $450,000 for the remaining three years on his contract.
"In the end, my decision was based on the fact that I did not see the improvement in the program over the past four years that I hoped for and that I believe is possible." he added. "I believe it is in the best interests of our student-athletes and the basketball program as a whole to have new leadership at this time."
"Brian took over this team in the midst of some trying times, and we all realize the challenges he has faced," Martin said. "I considered this during my evaluation of the team.
Martin said he would create a small committee of former and current players and staff to help evaluate coaching candidates.
Ellerbe said he ran the program with "integrity," and he expressed his thanks for the opportunity.
Martin said he might contact Rick Pitino, who led Kentucky to the 1996 national championship and recently left as coach and president of the
Boston Celtics.
Michigan's fan base went from apa-
thetic to angry and shouted, "Fire
Ellerbe," among other things, during
games at Crisler Arena this season.
Newspaper columnists have written
it was time for him to be fired.
Ellerbe originally was hired to be an assistant coach. But he replaced Steve Fisher, who was forced to leave amid accusations that a booster lavished money and gifts on the Wolverines.
Ellerbe avoided any bitterness — or mention of Martin.
"As for me," he said in closing, "I have tried to handle myself with dignity and class through some very challenging times. I look forward to receiving an opportunity to continue my career in a game I truly love."
Leaf reportedly on list of Cowboys' QB hopefuls
The Associated Press
DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys are still searching for Troy Alkman's replacement, but they're not telling anyone who that might be.
"We are in the process of exploring a wide variety of options, as far as quarterback is concerned," Cowboys
spokesman Rich Dahlrype said yesterday. "But the club isn't going to get into any public speculation on what those options might be."
Citing anonymous sources, The Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported yesterday the Cowboys contacted Tampa Bay about obtaining troubled quarterback Ryan Leaf in a trade.
The Cowboys were believed to be offering one of several players for Tampa Bay to choose from — none of whom had major roles with the team last year. They could have claimed Leaf from San Diego for a $100 waiver fee on March 2.
Instead, the Bucs acquired Leaf, saying they wanted to take what would amount to a "free look" at the second pick in the 1989 NFL draft.
Leaf's base salary is $1.5 million this season and he will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2001 season.
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