March 31, 2011
CSNBayArea.com staff
Saint Mary's men's basketball coach Randy Bennett has turned down an offer to be the next coach at the University of Utah.
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A source with knowledge of the situation said that Bennett informed Utah athletic director Chris Hill on Thursday that he would remain with the Gaels.
The decision ends several weeks of discussion between Bennett and Utah. As first reported by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, representatives of Utah's athletic administration and members of Bennett's camp met following the conclusion of the West Coast Conference and Mountain West tournaments the second weekend in March.
Bennett and Hill met face-to-face at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel near Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport on March 22. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area confirmed a Christopher Hill was registered at that hotel.
Bennett, current BYU coach Dave Rose, ex-Alabama coach Mark Gottfried and Nets assistant Larry Krystkowiak have been connected to the search to replace the fired Jim Boylen.
News
That Bennett is being targeted by a program headed to the high-profile Pac 12 next year is no surprise.
Under Bennett, Saint Mary's has recorded four consecutive 25-plus win seasons, with five postseason appearances, highlighted by NCAA Tournament bids in 2005, 2008 and 2010.
Over the last four years, Saint Marys is 106-29. The Gaels' season ended with an NIT upset loss to Kent State, finishing 25-9.
Bennett's contract with Saint Mary's runs through 2020.