Basketball coach Fred Litzenberger has officially made the switch.
Litzenberger, an assistant under former Oregon women’s head coach Jody Rungefor six years, switched locker rooms and will serve under Ernie Kent on the men’s staff next year.
“I’m really excited for this opportunity,” Litzenberger said. “Ernie and I have worked together before, and we know each other’s styles well.”
Kent and Litzenberger both served as assistants under Boyd Grant at Colorado State from 1987-89. All told, Litzen berger has 25 years of experience as a coach and 16 trips to the NCAA Tournament with various men’s and women’s clubs.
As valuable as his long list of coaching experience is, Litzenberger’s renowned skill is molding a team’s defense. The Longmont, Col o., native turned the women’s team into one of the most formidable defensive teams in the Pacific-10 Conference. Under Litzenberger’s defensive schemes, the Ducks led the league in scoring defense three times and in field-goal percentage defense twice.
Litzenberger said he looks forward to improving the men’s defense, which ranked 10th in the conference in scoring defense last season and eighth in field-goal percentage defense.
“They just need to work on little things here and there,” Litzenberger said of the men. “It’s the little things that make the big things happen.”
Kent said he welcomes Litzenberger’s presence because of his vast knowledge.
“I have known Litz since 1987 and because of our friendship and working with him in the past, he is familiar with our system and our terminology, and I anticipate a smooth transition,” Kent said.
Among Litzenberger’s many accomplishments are a National Invitational Tournament crown as a coach at Fresno State in 1983 and a 194-62 overall record as a head coach.
“The transition should be easy,” Litzenberger said. “I know the players are ready.”3
Ducks add Litzenberger for defense
Daily Emerald
July 16, 2001
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