Paulsen named as new Bucknell coach

May 20, 2008 - 9:43 PM LEWISBURG, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Bucknell named Dave Paulsen its new men's basketball coach on Tuesday.

Paulsen comes to the Bison from Division III Williams College, leading his alma mater to a national championship in 2003.

Bucknell is coming off a disappointing finish in the Patriot League (6-8), going 12-19 for its first losing season in four years. In April, Pat Flannery announced that he would be stepping down on July 1 after guiding the Bison for 14 seasons.

Under Flannery, Bucknell made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament starting in 2005. The Bison reached the second round on both occasions, upsetting Kansas and Arkansas.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to carry on the tradition of success that has been built at Bucknell through the years," said Paulsen, who becomes the school's 20th coach. "Bucknell has distinguished itself among a very small group of schools that have been able to win games in the NCAA Tournament and yet hold true to the ideal of the scholar-athlete."

A two-time National Coach of the Year, Paulsen went 170-53 in eight seasons at Williams. The 43-year-old also coached at Le Moyne and St. Lawrence, compiling a career record of 262-120 in 14 seasons.