Jun 29, 2007, 23:30 GMT
Las Cruces, NM - New Mexico State University named Louisville assistant coach Marvin Menzies the new head coach of its men's basketball team on Friday.
The 45-year-old Menzies has 14 years of coaching experience at the college level, including a year under former Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger at UNLV, one year as an assistant at USC, and four seasons at San Diego State. His only head coaching experience was at Santa Monica College from 1994-95, though he served as an assistant coach and associate head coach in stints at the school between 1991-99.
Menzies takes over for Reggie Theus, who guided New Mexico State to a 25-9 finish this past season, capping the NCAA's biggest turnaround over two seasons after the Aggies won just six games in 2004-2005.
'Every coach dreams of being a head coach, but when the dream becomes a reality and it's a perfect fit as well, based on a whole host of issues, it really makes it special,' Menzies said. 'To come into a situation where the foundation is laid and solid like the one at New Mexico State University just makes it really exciting.'
The Aggies went on to win the WAC tournament, and played in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999. Theus was also the second-fastest Aggie head coach to 40 wins.
Theus was named the head coach of the Sacramento Kings on June 19.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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