UCLA formally introduces Howland as coach

LOS ANGELES -- UCLA has named Ben Howland its new head basketball coach. The Bruins held a press conference on Thursday to formally introduce the former Pittsburgh head man.

"Having grown up in southern California as a Bruin fan, watching the televised replays of the games was special for me," Howland had said in a UCLA press release. "To now be the head coach of this program is something I dreamed about but never thought possible."

Howland spent the past four years at Pittsburgh and rebuilt the Panthers into a strong program that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament the past two years.

In addition to his work at Pittsburgh, Howland also led Northern Arizona to three 20-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.

Howland had a record of 89-40 in four years at Pittsburgh, including 28-5 in 2002-03.

"I want to make it clear how hard it was for me to leave the University of Pittsburgh," Howland said. "I can't imagine myself leaving Pittsburgh for anywhere except UCLA. The last four years have been the most enjoyable of my career and that's because of the support my family and I received from the Pittsburgh administration, the community and, most importantly, the players.

Ben Howland had an 89-40 record in four years at Pitt.(AP)

Those young men worked very hard to be successful. I know the program will continue to enjoy success and I am proud to have played a role in the rebuilding of the Panther basketball program." Pittsburgh won its first-ever Big East Tournament title this season and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Panthers were a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region and were eliminated by Marquette in the regional semifinals.

UCLA needed a replacement for Steve Lavin, who was fired last month.

Lavin was fired after UCLA posted a record of 10-19 this past season, its first losing campaign since a 12-13 mark in 1947-48 -- the year before the legendary John Wooden took over. The Bruins hadn't been as many as nine games under .500 since posting a 5-18 record in 1941-42.

It was the first losing season for Lavin, who finished his seven-year tenure with a record of 145-78. UCLA earned NCAA bids in each of Lavin's first six seasons and reached the Sweet 16 four times with an Elite Eight appearance in his first year.

Howland, who spent five years at Northern Arizona before moving on to Pittsburgh, has a career record of 168-99 in nine years as a head coach.