California fires Braun

Mar 26, 2008 - 9:37 PM BERKELEY, California (Ticker) -- Ben Braun, who spent 12 seasons as coach at California, was fired on Wednesday, the school announced.

In 1996, Braun took over at California and steadied a program that faced NCAA sanctions after former coach Todd Bozeman paid $30,000 to the father of a former player.

"I'd like to thank the Cal community for 12 great years," Braun said. "I've had the privilege to coach at one of the top universities in the country, and I'm proud of the program we've built."

Braun guided the Golden Bears to four NCAA Tournament appearances in his first seven seasons but just one in the last five. California has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2003.

The Bears finished this season with a 17-16 record following Monday's 73-56 loss to Ohio State in the National Invitation Tournament.

"This was an extremely difficult decision that was undertaken with great care and diligence," California athletic director Sandy Barbour said. "However, in the final analysis, I have determined that it is time to seek new leadership in our men's basketball program."

Braun, 54, posted an overall record of 219-154 at California but he was just 79-75 over the past five seasons. During that span, the Bears have gone 39-51 in Pac-10 Conference play.

This season, the Bears were ninth in the Pac-10, posting a 6-12 league mark for the third time in the last four years. California lost seven of its final nine games and nine of its last 12.

"Competing for conference championships and a place in the NCAA Tournament are goals and expectations that are embraced at Cal," Barbour added. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to consistently meet those expectations in our men's basketball program."

Braun's 219 victories rank second on the school's all-time list, trailing only Clarence "Nibs" Price, who won 449 games during a 30-year career that ended in 1954.

Barbour said the school will conduct a national search to find its next coach. Assistant coach Louis Reynaud will direct the program until a replacement is named.