Report: Randy Bennett Will NOT Be Cal's Next Coach
The idea that Randy Bennett might become Cal's next head coach was more of a dream than a realistic expectation, and apparently it won't happen.
Jeff Goodman had been a proponent of Cal hiring Bennett, but he reported via Twitter on Friday night that Bennett won't be coming to Cal and is likely to sign a contract extension with Saint Mary's.
We had suggested that Cal offer the job to Bennett, partly because it would show Cal was serious about finding a coach who could turn the program around and partly because there was reason to believe Bennett might take the job despite the long-held assumption that he would turn down any Cal offer.
Surprisingly, Cal had never offered its head coaching job to Bennett, which led to the conclusion that we just didn't know whether Bennett would accept an offer for the Golden Bears' job.
It's unclear whether Cal officials contacted Bennett this time about the the Bears' coaching vacancy, but Bennett will always be in demand, which is why a contract extension, presumably with a salary increase, would be called for.
Bennett, 60, has been the Gaels head coach for 22 years, and he has not been a head coach at any other school. He has led Saint Mary's to the NCAA tournament nine times, including each of the past two seasons. The Gaels beat Gonzaga during the regular season this year and beat VCU in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing to Connecticut to complete a 27-8 season.
Cal is looking for a head coach to replace Mark Fox, who was dismissed following a 3-29 season.
Cal has interviewed Kennesaw State coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, although there were reports that he was not a serious candidate. The Bears reportedly showed interest in Texas interim head coach Randy Terry.
The search may be complicated by the fact that Cal athletic director Jim Knowlton reportedly is being investigated by the university for his handling of the Teri McKeever situation that led to her firing.
.
Cover photo of Randy Bennett by David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports
.
Follow Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jakecurtis53
Find Cal Sports Report on Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/si.calsportsreport
