Buffalo names Bobby Hurley men's basketball coach

Mar 26, 2013 - 9:47 PM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - The University of Buffalo named Bobby Hurley its new men's basketball coach on Monday.

Hurley spent the 2012-2013 season as an associate head coach at Rhode Island alongside his brother, Dan. Prior to joining the Rams, he was an assistant coach at Wagner for two seasons and helped the Seahawks finish 25-5 in 2011-2012.

"After reviewing a large and highly qualified national pool and following my conversations with some of the most respected figures in college athletics, Coach Hurley was clearly the choice to lead the next era of UB basketball," said Buffalo athletic director Danny White. "As we continue to foster our role as the flagship athletic department for the state of New York, the appointment of Coach Hurley sends a clear statement that the University at Buffalo is committed to bringing big-time college athletics to the Western New York community and the state at large."

Hurley is best known as the point guard at Duke from 1989-1993, helping the Blue Devils to three Final Four appearances and two straight national championships in 1991 and 1992. A first-team All-American in 1993, he also holds the NCAA record for career assists with 1,076.

"Coach Hurley adds an exciting dynamic to our athletic program," said White. "He is one of the most accomplished players in college basketball history with a legacy that includes three Final Four appearances and winning two national championships. I'm confident, after our discussions, that he is the right leader to take our program to the next level. We couldn't be more proud to welcome Bobby, (his wife) Leslie and their family to the Western New York community."

After college, Hurley was selected by Sacramento as the seventh overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and played five seasons with the Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies, though his career was marred by a near-fatal automobile accident during his rookie campaign in 1993.

Hurley takes over for Reggie Witherspoon, who spent 14 seasons coaching the Bulls but was fired after finishing just 14-20 during the 2012-13 campaign.