Ernie Kent has at least another year to coach the Oregon men’s basketball team – but his top assistant wasn’t so lucky Wednesday.
Assistant Mark Hudson, who had been with Kent since he was the head coach at St. Mary’s in 1997, will not have his contract renewed.
His position will be filled by former Arizona and Denver Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap, who won two NCAA Division II titles at Metro State in Denver in 2000 and 2002.
Dunlap’s official title will be associate head coach at Oregon, where he will get a two-year contract worth $400,000 per year, with published reports saying it also includes incentives for making the NCAA Tournament, along with a $300,000 signing bonus.
The staff shake-up was Kent’s plan to athletic director Pat Kilkenny, according to a press release from the athletic department Tuesday, a plan that saved Kent’s job amid high speculation whether the winningest coach in UO history would return for his 13th season after an 8-23 record.
Kent’s contract, updated last summer, runs through the 2013-14 season and pays him $1.06 million annually.
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few was a constant person of speculation in the search. Reports indicate Few turned down an offer to coach the University of Arizona early this week.
Former Arizona coach Russ Pennell said Kent deserves another year.
“How quickly people forget,” Pennell said. “I thought Ernie deserved to come back next year and see these young guys through.”
“After all that we have achieved, including two Elite Eight runs in the NCAA Tournament, an outright Pac-10 championship and two Pac-10 Tournament championships, Ernie should have the opportunity to chart the direction of our program,” Kilkenny said, adding that Dunlap “should help our basketball team be competitive in the Pac-10.”
Kent said the release of his longtime assistant, who took over head coaching responsibilities this season when Kent was ejected from a game against Washington State, was particularly painful.
“This is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever decided to do,” Kent added. “Mark has helped us achieve great things at the University of Oregon and we wish him nothing but the best in the future.”
Hudson’s contract in 2006-07 was listed at $95,000, but the University gave Kent’s four assistants pay raises this summer that combined to be worth $347,000.
Dunlap served as Arizona’s assistant after turning down the offer to become its interim coach in October when Lute Olson unexpectedly retired. The interim job went to Russ Pennell.
Pennell, going to the Final Four today to look for a new job, gave Dunlap rave reviews for his discipline, enthusiasm and attention to detail.
“You’re going to get a guy who is, from a basketball mind just high end. Just great basketball IQ,” Pennell said. “The otherside of it is he’s a purist. He loves the game. He’ll dedicate himself to Ernie and the program. I just think he will challenge players to be the best they can be.”
The Wildcats lost in the Sweet 16 two weeks ago to Louisville.
The Ducks, troubled by legal problems of Michael Dunigan, Teondre Williams and Josh Crittle, will meet a disciplinarian.
“There will be no nonsense from him,” Pennell said. “My advice to the Oregon players in stand at attention when coach Dunlap is around.”
As head coach, Dunlap’s credentials are impressive, winning 83 percent of his games at Metro State, with a record of 248-50. Along with the two Division II titles, the Roadrunners made nine straight Division II tournaments.
Dunlap then went to the Nuggets of the NBA, serving under head coach George Karl from 2006-08.
“His NBA experience shows how he is prepared to help young men get ready for the next level,” Kent said.
Dunlap said in the release. “I am looking forward to working with Coach Kent and his staff to help them achieve their goals of getting back to the NCAA Tournament and prospering from there.”
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