Saint Louis tabs Majerus as head coach

Apr 27, 2007, 22:45 GMT

St. Louis, MO - Saint Louis University announced that Rick Majerus will be the Billikens new head men's basketball coach on Friday.

Majerus has spent the past three years working as an acclaimed college basketball analyst for ESPN. But, he recorded a gaudy 422-147 career head coaching record with 15 postseason appearances.

'I am extremely excited about having a person of Rick Majerus' stature and reputation at the helm of our men's basketball team,' University president Lawrence Biondi said. 'I know that we are now headed to take our men's basketball team to the next level. Rick and I have gotten a chance to know each other over the past week, and I am very impressed with all that he will bring to our men's basketball program, including his commitment to run a program that we can all be proud of.'

The University will officially announce the hiring of Majerus in a press conference set for Monday, April 30.

'Rick Majerus is known as one of the most passionate basketball coaches in America, and he has already communicated that passion to all he has met at SLU,' said athletic director Cheryl Levick. 'Rick is committed to taking our men's basketball program to the next level, which is what our athletic department and all Billiken fans want. We are also excited about what this means to SLU athletics.'

Majerus takes the place of Brad Soderberg, who was fired after a mediocre five-year run.

Soderberg guided the Billikens to a record of 80-74, including a 20-13 mark this past season. It was Saint Louis' first 20-win season since the 1997-98 campaign, but the squad still did not receive a postseason tournament bid.

The Billikens reached the NIT after each of Soderberg's first two seasons, but the current three-year postseason dry spell is the longest for the school since a three-year absence from the 1990-91 season through 1992-93.

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