Cal Can't Bear Losing, Fires Braun

Coach had 219 wins in 12 seasons, but missed too many tournaments
By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 27, 2008 3:49 AM CDT
Cal Can't Bear Losing, Fires Braun
California head coach Ben Braun complains to official Kevin Brill during the second half of a college basketball game against Washington State in January. Braun was fired yesterday.    (AP Photo/Dean Hare)

Ben Braun built a 219-154 record at Cal Berkeley the past 12 years, but it wasn't enough to save his job yesterday, report the San Francisco Chronicle. The Bears, who lost to Ohio State in the NIT Monday, were only 30-42 in the Pac-10 the past four years. "The bottom line is we just didn't win enough games," said athletic director Sandy Barbour after firing Braun.

Cal finished the year 17-16 overall after going 9-2 in non-conference play. The Golden Bears missed the NCAA tournament four of the past five years, which had eroded alumni support for Braun. Former Stanford and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin have been mentioned as possible replacements. (More NCAA stories.)

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